Lulamoon's Legacy

Chapters

Chapter 1: Bitter Defeat
Chapter 2: Ominous
Chapter 3: Guardian
Chapter 4: Meeting
Chapter 5: Questions, Answers, and more Questions.
Chapter 6: Waking Horrors

Chapter 1: Bitter Defeat

Trixie panted as she struggled in the mud. She was a good fifty miles from the closest town, and her wagon had gotten stuck. The rain wasn't much help either. Trixie could feel a shiver seep deep into her bones from the cold and wet. "Come on, you stupid wagon!" she cried, but it refused to budge.
"Stupid mud. Stupid Twilight...Stupid Princess..." she mumbled to herself bitterly. Then, finally she sighed, "Stupid me...."

You can do it. You're destined for greatness....

"Shut up! I am not! How can I be when Twilight Sparkle is better than me at everything?!" she yelled at no one in particular.

She sighed, whatever that feeling and thought was, it wasn't like she could actually talk to it. It wasn't like it was a person or anything, at least, not that she could tell, anyways. It always seemed to come from deep within her, but from where exactly, she could never tell.

Trixie took another glance at her wagon and the mud. "Guess I'm sleeping here tonight."

She removed the harness she used to pull the wagon and then made her way inside. She was muddy and wet, and her nose was staring to get the sniffles. With a sigh, she grabbed a nearby rag and grabbed a bucket of water. With a quick spell from her horn, she heated the water until it was warm, and then dipped rag into it and used it to clean the mud off of her. She was glad she wasn't wearing her hat or cape, as she hated getting those dirty.

After she was sure she'd clean off the last of the mud, she grabbed a towel and wrapped it around herself to help dry off.
She then set the bucket down and put the rag away, to be cleaned later.

Then she sneezed.

"Stupid cold..." She muttered with a sour expression on her face, wiping her nose to keep it from dripping.

The wagon was cool, no thanks to the weather outside. And the sound of a thunder clap did little to improve her mood. She made her way over to a very pristine crystal ball that she kept and infused her magic within it.

She had used in a couple of shows, pretending she could predict the future with it, and talk with the dead. The audience used to love it. Until they didn't. No thanks to that Twilight Sparkle, she was sure.

However, little did they know what it's actual purpose was.

Living in a wagon made of wood did have its ups and downs. While very adaptable and cozy enough for life on the road, some nights did tend to get cold, especially in the winter. It wasn't like she could make a fire while inside the wagon, or when it rained. So she had the next best thing, her own personal crystal ball heater which did wonders for keeping the wagon and herself warm at night.

But even as the warmth of the crystal ball began to wrap itself around her, Trixie couldn't help but reminisce what had happened over the last few days.

About three days ago, she was in the city of Hoofington, going over her plans for getting ready for her show that she'd be performing tomorrow. Despite what others might think, Trixie always took such care and careful planning when setting up for one of her shows. And despite what other would see as a cluttered mess, she was actually quite organized. Another downside of living on the road was that her wagon only had so much space within it and only so many bags it could carry. But still, she made meticulously sure that everything had a place and was easily accessible when she needed it. After all, disorganization was the death of any show pony. Especially one as Great and Powerful as her.

"So, Trixie, let's see... The inn is already paid for, check. Restock on food and supplies...check. Pay for any necessary wagon repairs? Check..." Luckily, there hadn't been that many this time around, something that had helped elevate her mood.

"Still have enough bits for the road?" She counted the coins in the small bag that she usually kept hidden under the cabinet that held her mirror. She frowned, "Check...though I really wish there was more. Hopefully this show goes well, or this will be a really rough week..." she said to herself with a sigh of resignation.

All shall be well. You are destined for Power and Greatness...

"I sure hope so..." She said with a worried sigh, before pushing those thoughts aside.
"No. You are the Great and Powerful Trixie! You can do this!"
She gave a determined look to her reflection in the mirror. "Now back to the checklist....Act routine prepared and planned? Check. Scout the town for a good location of the show? Well...."

It seemed that was what was next on her to do list. She examined herself in the mirror and brushed a few rebellious hairs back into place before setting out to find a good spot for show. She also took a grey hooded cloak as to not be recognized whilst searching. Her shows did better when they were a surprise, after all.

Hoofington was by no means the largest town she had been in. It was definitely smaller than Manehattan, but larger than Canterlot. Though it still somehow had that small town charm to it. Mainly because the buildings here rarely had more than two or three stories, and there were a lot more open areas than in a place like Manhattan, which made it seem less crowded than it actually was. It was also the Art Capital of Equestria, home to many art museums and play writes. Statues and fountains littered the streets and walkways, adding to its intrinsic charm.

It was not her first time performing here, but it had been a while since she had last visited. That was before she met that accursed Twilight Sparkle....

Trixie shook her head. It was best if she not jinx herself with such negative thoughts. She took a deep breath before beginning her search for a good spot to set up shop.

There were a lot good open spaces, which was good, but she needed to find a good spot that would draw the most amount of people. She thought of using the same spot she did last time, but that was a no go due to a new shop having been opened in said location.

The center of town could sometimes be a good call, but it usually wasn't in bigger cities like this, where the roads would much busier than in a smaller one.

Trixie felt a rather strong breeze blow past her, and she pulled her hood cloak tighter so that they wouldn't be blown off. Couldn't have her presence revealed just yet, after all. As she finished fastening her cloak on a bit tighter, Trixie noticed a young filly sitting on the side walk, playing a flute for some coin.

Trixie could tell the poor thing was homeless. It was a sad sight, but there were always a few of them in bigger towns like this.

She could see the signs of malnourishment on the poor filly, though she was thankfully not in the worst of conditions that Trixie had seen before. The filly's music was not half bad, but she kept petering out or squeaking a note too high every now again. Though dirty, the filly was still kind of adorable with her red and white speckled coat and brownish mane.

Trixie gave a sad look when she noticed the hat with only two bits in it. The filly then noticed her and continued to play her tune, a surprisingly happy tune that contrasted the almost sorrowful look in her eyes.

Trixie kept her hood up, keeping all but her muzzle hidden in shadow as she approaches the young filly. She pulled out her bag of bits and frowned at the small quantity within. Still, it was more than what the filly had.

She pulled eight bits from the bag, literally half of what she had left, and tossed them into the filly's hat.

The filly's eyes widened in giddy surprise. "Thank you, stranger! I'll be able to eat real good tonight with this!" She exclaimed giddily.

"It is no problem for the Mysterious and Humble....Stranger! And if you want to make more coin, I could offer you some advice..." Trixie said in her naturally extravagant manner.

"Um...sure!" replied the little earth pony filly.

"When you play a wind instrument like the flute, how you breathe is everything. You are doing well, but I notice you run out of breath a bit too quickly. The trick is to take breaths during the small pauses between notes. It doesn't seem like much, but it can be very helpful."

The filly gave it a try, and sure enough her playing did improve, though she still squeaked on occasion.

"Thank you!" the filly said with a delighted smile. Trixie nodded before carrying on. Trixie was glad she was able to help. It seems those snake charming acts she had practiced for were useful something after all. She absolutely would not work with snakes ever again, though.

Trixie continued her search and finally found an ideal spot next to a fountain that was nearby several popular shops and restaurants. Happy to have completed her checklist for the day, Trixie headed home.

The next day, Trixie moved her wagon into place, drawing the attention of the crowd as she pulled a lever that unfolded it into the stage. Using her magic, she positioned the lights in place.

Once she was sure she had the audience's attention, she began.

"Mares and Gentlecolts, Fillies and Foals of all ages! Behold! The Great and Powerful Trixie!" She announced. Then, with a puff of smoke and an array of fireworks, she appeared upon the stage with her signature hat and cloak. She took a moment to bathe in the curiosity of her audience, but no more than that. "Watch as The Great and Powerful Trixie bends the realms of Logic and Mystery!"

It was undeniable that when it came to illusion magic, Trixie was one of the best in the field. She studied the techniques of all the greats before her, like Harry Hoofdini and David CopperFilly and even made up a few of her own.

For the first seven minutes or so, everything was going well. The audience was loving it, and even a few were throwing a few bits her way. That was until one pony, she didn't see who, suddenly spoke up.

"Wait! Did she say her name was Trixie? Isn't that the name of that mare who sacked Ponyville?"

"Well, excuse me sir, but I'll have you know Ponyville was NOT sacked, though...I...may have toppled the local government, but it was only for a day, and I was under the influence of a dark magical item!" Trixie protested.

"What a hack!" cried another stallion.

"Well, I heard she lured a gigantic monster to attack the town, and a poor couple of foals would have been hurt if it wasn't for Princess Twilight!" exclaimed a mare.

"That's not what happened! Trixie had nothing to do with that Ursa Minor! That was a couple of foals fault, not mine!" Trixie protested, but the crowd began to boo.

"Princess Twilight says she forgives me! Why can't you?!"

"Get out of here, you hack!" A stallion replied, throwing a half eaten apple her way. The apple hit her square in the muzzle, and pain immediately flared up from the impact. The other ponies cheered and joined in, pelting her with various food items, only some of which were soft.

"I'm not a hack!" Trixie cried back, fighting the swelling tears in her eyes. She ducked as a rock soared past her head. Trixie turned to the crowd to see a familiar young filly, the one she helped yesterday, lobbing stones that she could find at her, booing with the crowd.

The dam broke and Trixie's heart shattered as tears flowed from her eyes. She quickly packed up her things and fled town, taking the money they had thrown at her before any of them began demanding a refund.

And all she could do was move along to the next town....

Trixie collapsed onto her little hammock bed, wiping her nose as another wave of stuffiness hit her. Though her wagon had warmed, the cold, wet rain had instilled a chill in her bones, and so she shivered.

She quickly pulled a blanket over her. She buried her face in her pillow, in vain attempt to hide her tears.

"I'll never be Great...or Powerful!" she sobbed. And she continued to do so until sleep finally took her.

Your Destiny is greater than you know, little one.....

Author's Note

So yeah, new story. Trixie has always been one of my favorites, and so I decided to weave this story for her.

I'll admit, it takes me longer to write these chapters, but rest assured, I'll keep 'em coming!

I hope you enjoyed this first chapter and are interested in watching this story unfold. TTFN!

Chapter 2: Ominous

The World was silent. The Wind gone. The Trees stilled. The Animals silenced. Not a heart be could be heard amidst the Twilight.

Trixie stood in an empty meadow, it was a place she had never been to before, but somehow....familiar....

"H-Hello?" Trixie called out softly, her voice trembling with fear. The sky suddenly bathed itself in a deep Crimson, smothering the Sun and Moon. A dark, heated breath could suddenly be felt from the back of her neck. Trixie's eyes dilated in terror. A twig snapped from behind her and--

Trixie awoke.

Screaming.

It took a full minute for her to finally calm down enough to stop. She took deep breaths.

It was just a Nightmare...

Strange, wasn't Luna suppose to make sure ponies never had those?

Trixie shook her head, perhaps the Princess had just been busy. Who was she to question royalty?

......Twilight didn't count.....

Trixie groaned as she got herself out of bed, the memory of the nightmare thankfully fading from her mind. She took a look outside her window.

It had stopped raining. Thank Celestia... She thought to herself. The Sun had only just risen, and it was the beginning of a new day.

Trixie releases the magic in her crystal ball, she wouldn't need it now that the sun was up, and plus, it had done a good job of keeping the wagon warm anyways. Trixie then took a seat by her mirror, and grabbed her usual brush before staring at her own reflection.

Her eyes were still a little puffy from crying herself asleep last night, and her nose was still stuffy from the cold she had gotten from the rain, though it was no longer as runny as it once was. Her mane was a bad case of bedhead, and so she immediately got to work brushing it until all the stray hairs were finally back into place as they should be.

She then summoned her magic to grab a nearby bucket of water, as well as a rag, and brought them before her. The rag was a dirty one, the same one she had used to clean herself from the night before. She sighed, she would have to clean it later. She grabbed a fresher, cleaner rag and put the other one away for now.

She then dipped the clean rag into the bucket of cold water, and let it soak for a bit. Then, she pulled it out and began to wash her face with it, in order to at least make herself look more presentable for the day. It didn't help with the sniffles in the slightest, but this was far from her first time with a cold. She'd make do, like she always did. It wasn't like she had a show today, anyway. Or tomorrow for that matter. Maybe perhaps even the rest of the week with the way her luck was going.

Her thoughts drifted briefly back to the nightmare she had. She couldn't remember much of it, But still, she frowned.

Don't worry, you shall prevail against it.

Trixie scoffed, "Of course I will! It was just a stupid nightmare."

Great, she was talking to herself again. She was getting quite annoyed by that ever confident and hopeful feeling in her chest. What good has it's lies ever done for her anyways?

Trixie shook her head, dismissing those thoughts. Dwelling on that now would only sour her mood. It was a new day, and all she could do was keep moving forward, regardless of however hopeless it may seem.

Gathering her strength for the day, she opened the door and stepped outside. The ground was muddy as expected, and there were numerous puddles scattered about as far as the eye could see. With a sigh she stepped down into the mud, and made her way to front of the wagon. She inspected the left most wheel, noting how it was sunken half way into the mud. She muttered a string of curses to herself before harnessing her magic and engulfing her wagon with it.

With a grunt of effort, she began to try and lift it up. Slowly, but surely, she made it rise up just enough to get it lose, then she pushed it forward a bit, ensuring it wouldn't fall back in. Finally, sigh of relief, she released her flow of magic, and inspected her work. All seemed food so far....

With that out of the way, she hooked herself back up to the harness, and began to pull her wagon along once more.

It was just past noon when she finally stopped for a quick rest. As she gulped down the water from her flask to quench her thirst, she pulled out her map again to decide on what her next destination was. The closest two were Canterlot and Appleloosa, both in opposite directions from her current location, Canterlot to the East, and Appleloosa to the West.

"Hmm, so its hillfillies or posh nobles...." She didn't quite like either option. She wasn't quite sure which to choose until she remembered something very important: Apples hurt. A lot. When thrown at your face.

"Canterlot it is, then!" Trixie decided with a grimace. Her last visit to Canterlot hadn't ended so well, but, it had been a while. There was still a chance she could have a good show there. House Lulamoon was still technically a house of nobility, after all. Even if she was the only remaining member, and was practically pitch broke.

Well, that wasn't entirely true. She had money, but she couldn't touch a single Bit of it until she got married or had foals, whichever came first. If Mom and Dad were still here.... she thought bitterly, before sighing in defeat. She still missed them, even though she had been but a foal when they were taken away from her. Time never truly healed that wound in her heart, but she had learned how to move on and keep going. To make them proud...

Yet another thing I fail at... she thought bitterly.

You could never fail them. You are destined for Power and Greatness.

"....."

Trixie wasn't in the mood to argue, even if there wasn't anyone there to argue with. She continued her journey without a word, stopping only for snacks or to drink.

It was nightfall by the time Canterlot came into view, she was able to see the castle for quite a while now, but only just now did the city itself come into view.

Even Trixie had to admit, it was still an awe inspiring sight, even if she did like the scenic view of Hoofington more. Trixie couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic returning to the town of her birth, even if there were a lot of bad memories here.

The grand buildings, the lavish decorations, and the Royal Castle all looked just as dazzling at night as they did in the day, though in admittedly more subdued tones. She felt a spark bitterness and jealousy swell within her, but she snuffed that out as quickly as it came. The Noble Houses had made pretty damn clear where exactly she stood with them, and it wasn't like she was going to change their minds anytime soon.

It'd still be a few hours before she would reach the city gates proper, but she decided to stop and call it a night for now. She was tired and sore from pulling her wagon all day, and while crime was pretty low in Equestria, that didn't mean there wasn't any. It was simply safer to call it a night for now.

She followed her usual bedtime routine, and had just finished brushing her mane when finally decided to open the secret compartment underneath the small desk that held the mirror. Using her magic to unlock the hidden latch, she opened the secret mechanism and pulled out a small box from within. She opened it to see a small collection of items that she kept close to her. Her bag of bits, a few photos of her mom and dad, a signed autograph from Harry Hoofdini himself, and key which belonged to her mother, though, she never found out what it was for. She pulled out the bag of bits and began counting what she had managed to earn from that disaster of a show in Hoofington.

52 bits.

That is all she had.

Subtract the eight she started with (she didn't count the eight she gave to the foal), and her net profit was only 44 bits. That would barely last a week, if she was careful. But it was more than she started with, at least.

A small grimace pierced her lips. She remembered the days when her shows would rake in hundreds or even thousands of bits per show.

Now she was lucky if she even touched 200 in a month. Still, it was better than nothing....

With a sigh, she put the bits back into the bag and put the bag back into the box. She then pulled out a photo of her parents, the two holding their newborn filly.

"I miss you. I hope I can make you two proud of me....If it weren't for that stupid Twilight Sparkle, I--" she stopped herself. "No.....it's my fault....I'm sorry I've failed you...."

She sighed and put the photo back into box, but before she closed it, she gave one last glance within. "Goodnight Mom. Goodnight Dad. I love you...."

She was back in the meadow. The sky was still drowned in deep Crimson. The Air, stale. The Trees, still. The Animals, silent. But there was something new here. A distinct odor that permeated through out her nostrils.

The sour stench of blood.

Against her better judgement, she followed the stench through the wooded meadow until she came across a small clearing. What she saw horrified her.

In the middle of the clearing was a mountain of bodies, each a familiar face, heaped together in a rotting mound of corpses. She saw her grandparents, her aunt, her parents, the foal she met in Hoofington, the two foolish foals who had lured that Ursa Minor into town. She even saw Twilight herself among the corpses, alongside all of the other Princesses. And most horridly of all, atop this rank and rancid pile of mutilated bodies, stood her own corpse, impaled upon a spike with a look of sheer agony and terror frozen upon her face.

Trixie wanted to scream, bit before she could, a cold, icy voice spoke to her.

"What have we here? Another Lulamoon has come to play? Silly little mare....I am more than you will ever be."
Suddenly, a giant maw of endless teeth lurched forward from above to devour her whole.

Trixie screamed.

Trixie squealed like a filly, flailing about and out of her bed before managing to come to her senses. She quickly untangled herself from her blanket.

She could feel her heart ramming the inside of her chest, threatening to burst free from its hold. But Trixie began taking deep breaths, "It's okay... It's just nightmare, you are okay....it wasn't real..." She told herself with shaky breaths. It certainly FELT real. But, she eventually managed to calm herself, and she could feel her heart rate returning to normal.

Just as she managed to get her hooves to stop shaking, she could feel that familiar, confident and hopeful feeling swelling in her chest again. Great....

It's time....

Wait....what? "It's time? What do you mean 'It's time'? That doesn't make any--"

Suddenly, Trixie felt it.

It was like a door deep inside of her that she never knew was there suddenly just...burst open. A soft magenta light began to fill the room as Trixie felt her mana surge forth like an ocean within her. Arcane circles began to form at her hooves, and she felt herself slowly being lifted into the air. A glimpse in the mirror revealed that her eyes had begun glowing a dazzling magenta, matching the color of her magic. Then, she felt them, two large, bat-like wings made of pure magic burst from her sides.

"W-What is happening?!" Trixie cried out in a panic. Then, from her chest, a large, star tipped staff emerged from within her, floating into the air. Before Trixie could question what in Tartarus was going on, everything went white....

And Trixie knew no more.

Author's Note

Well, that escalated quickly, lol. Still, this was fun to write, and helps set up future plot points for later chapters. I hope you enjoy, see you in the next chapter!

Chapter 3: Guardian

Trixie let out a long groan. The sound of birds outside told her it was day. She put a hoof over her eyes to block the sunlight coming in from the window. Suddenly, Trixie jolted awake and franticly checked her sides. Everything was normal, no magical bat wings to be seen. She then scanned around the room. No weird star shaped staves to be seen.

Relieved, Trixie rubbed her eyes, "Sweet Celestia, that was a weird dream..."

"Oh! You're awake! Wonderful!!"

Trixie's eyes widened in surprise as she quickly scanned her wagon for intruders. Upon seeing none, she became confused.

"W-What?"

Suddenly her chest began to glow a bright magenta before a creature suddenly burst forth from within her, emerging from the light.

"Oh I'm so excited!! Isn't this amazing?! It's time, it's finally time! We're going to be Great and Powerful! We're gonna be Great and Powerful! Yes!" The spectral creature cried in a pure joyous tone.

The spectral creature was a cross between a wolf and a pony, its fur as black as pitch, and its eyes were the same color blue as Trixie's coat, except where the white of the eyes would be, there was a dark, smokey grey instead. It smiled with wolfish fangs, and floated through the air like a specter, which made sense considering her lower half dissolved into a shadowy mist. And that was the other thing, this creature, whatever it was, was definitely a mare, both from her voice, and her more elegant feminine appearance.

Trixie gawked at the creature for a long moment before doing what any rational, self-respecting pony would do.

She screamed.

And then the creature screamed.

And then she screamed some more.

Then they both screamed.

Then there was no screaming.

For a moment, the just stared at each other, until finally, Trixie managed to work up the nerve to ask, "W-What a-are you?"

Before the creature could answer, Trixie, using one hoof, frantically searched for a weapon to defend herself with. Upon finding a spoon, she quickly raised her weapon in order to hopefully defend herself from whatever this....thing was.

"What am I? Oh! I'm your....Guardian! Yes! I think....See?" The creature pointed to its chest and only then did Trixie notice that upon its chest was a large silver star, and within that star was Trixie's own cutie mark. "See? We are connected! I belong to you and you belong to me!" The creature replied, it's voice and face beaming with joy.

Trixie blinked in confusion, "L-Liar! You are just trying to get Trixie to lower her guard so you may eat her! Well, it won't work, I tell you!" Trixie replied waving the spoon at the creature.

Suddenly, the creature lunged forth and Trixie threw up her hooves to try to defend herself, and then--

She....felt it hug her. Giving her a surprisingly warm embrace. "It's okay. I won't harm you. And I'll make sure nopony ever does again....You are destined for Greatness, little one....Greatness and Power...." The creature said in a motherly tone.

Trixie stammered, her brain still trying to process what just happened, and was still not sure she could trust this creature, but...it hadn't eaten her yet.

"Who....W-Who are you?" Trixie asked, pulling herself away from the wolf-mare's embrace.

The Wolf-mare seem to think about it for a moment, then smiled, "I am....Trixie? Trixie! I am Trixie!"

"No, I'm Trixie! You can't be Trixie! Trixie is Trixie!" Trixie protested.

The specter seemed to think on this for a moment, "Um....Moon?"

"No, Luna has the Moon, you can't be the moon as well." Trixie pointed out.

The Wolf-mare nodded, "I'm Lula? Yes! Luuuulaaaa! Lula! I am Lula!" She cried out in joy as she began to swirl in the air in celebration.

"Trixie....supposes Lula is fine...." she said apprehensively, now just more confused than frightened.

"Yes! I have a name! I have a name! Isn't that great?! I'm your Guardian, Lula!" She squished Trixie's cheeks with her hooves and gave a bright and excited smile. Trixie had to admit, even though the smile was filled with many sharp fangs, it was still adorable....somewhat.

Trixie pushed the Wolf-mare away, "But...who are you? What are you?"

"I just said! I'm Lula, your Guardian!" Her tongue wiggled a bit when she said 'Lula', like a foal playing with a word.

"Hey! I'm not a foal! I'm just as old as you, you know!" Lula protested.

Strange, Trixie was pretty sure she hadn't said that aloud...

"But....where did you come from?" Trixie asked, frowning.

"From you, of course! I think...I don't really remember anything from before you...." Lula replied, actually giving a confused frown for once.

"From me? What do you me mean you come from me?" Trixie asked, alarmed.

"I am your Guardian, and you are my Archmage! All Guardians are bound to Archmages, and all Archmages are bound to Guardians! But Everypony only gets one!"

"Archmage? What do you mean 'Archmage'? Trixie isn't an Archmage! Trixie is a Stage Magician," and a failure of one, at that.....

Lula suddenly wrapped herself around Trixie and gave her a warm, motherly hug. "Don't say that, little one. You are not a failure!" Trixie could once again feel that ever persistent feeling swelling in her chest.

"Wait, but I didn't say that out loud..." Trixie protested.

"I told you, you and I are connected. Your thoughts are just as loud as words to me. You are an Archmage. And I am your Guardian. We are destined for Greatness and Power."

"B-But I don't understand....how can this be? What do those nightmares mean, and how do you know all of this stuff anyways?" Trixie asked, a million question blazing in her mind.

"Archmages aren't born at random. It's part of your Lineage, little one. As for the Nightmares....I do not know what it is, or where it is, only that it is our destiny to stop it. As for how I know these things.....I dunno....It's just kinda there, I guess? Just bits and pieces really, but they are...ingrained...i think? I don't know. The knowledge just seems to come when it is relevant, I guess...."

Trixie shook her head in confusion. "My Lineage? What? And what do mean by all this Destiny nonsense? And how do you not know how you know things?"

Lula frowned and shrugged, "I dunno..."

"What do you mean you don't know?!" Trixie demanded.

"I mean it's not there, little one. I do not have the answers you seek."

"Well, then who does?!"

"I don't know, but I'm sure we'll find them."

Trixie groaned, rubbing her temples with her hooves. Too much weirdness for one day. Trixie still had a million other questions swimming in her mind, but decided it would be best I'd just went out and cleared her head. Before she could open the door, Lula moved in front of her, "Before you go, you'll need this...."

Suddenly an Arcane circle appeared on Trixie's chest, and from it emerged a very familiar star shaped staff. Trixie's eyes widened.

"So...that...wasn't a dream?!"

Lula smiled, "An Archmage needs her staff." She then proceeded to hoof the staff over to Trixie.

Trixie took a moment to analyze it. It was ornately made, the star made of a brilliant gold, and within the star was a crest with a mysterious magenta colored gem. The staff itself was made from an unknown type of wood. The entire thing shimmered with magical energy.

For a moment, Trixie was almost tempted. Almost.

Trixie knocked the staff away, "There is no way I'm carrying something like that around in public. It looks heavy, and plus I'll look ridiculous. I don't need more reasons for ponies to laugh at me..."

Before Lula could protest, Trixie opened up the door, walk outside, and slammed it shut behind her.

Oh little one, so much pain...I wish I could have comforted you sooner....

Trixie eventually decided it was best to put aside the whole weirdness of this morning and all the questions that came with it. Instead, she decided to focus on the now, and on what her plans were for the day.

First, she needed to continue her path towards Canterlot. Second, she needed to make a short stop at the fireworks store. She was starting to run low, and she was always able to get a good deal on their products, considering she was one of their best customers. Besides, she'd take discount wherever she could find one. Third, spend the rest of her designated spending amount on a spa day. All in all, that should leave her with about 10-12 bits left for the week. It wasn't great, but after all that stress and weirdness of the past few days, she NEEDED that spa day.
Even if it meant scrounging for the rest of the week.

"Ooh! A spa day is a wonderful idea! I wonder what it'll be like?" came the familiar and giddy tone of Lula.

"You are not coming! This will be just for me."

Lula simply smiled, " You couldn't stop me if you tried. Wherever you go, I go. Always. Perks of being an Archmage and Guardian."

Lula gave her a wink, and Trixie groaned. She really hoped this was all just some wacky dream and that Princess Luna would wake her at any moment. But, her gut told her it wasn't, which only made it worse.

Trixie hooked herself up to the harness once more and began moving her wagon once more, except something was a little...off. The wagon felt a lot lighter than she was used to. Bit that was impossible, she was absolutely sure nothing had been taken from her wagon, especially not anything that would affect the weight this much. She took another look at her wagon. Everything seemed normal. She even peaked inside to double check. No, nothing had changed. Perhaps a spell was being used?

If there were, it was not one Trixie could detect, she even tripled check just to make sure.

"Perhaps it's not the wagon that's changed. Maybe you are." Lula offered, but refused explain anything more than that. This, of course, irritated Trixie and she stomped her hoof in frustration.

Then suddenly, she paused as she heard a loud cracking noise from beneath her hoof. She lifted it up to see an apple sized stone had been shattered into several large shards, shattered by her hoof alone.

Lula was absolutely beaming, but Trixie could only give a confused look, before dismissing it for now. She groaned, she might need that spa day sooner than she thought...

As she passed the guards guarding the entrance into the city, she worried they might freak out after seeing a floating, sharp fanged Wolf-mare, but nopony seemed to pay attention to Lula, or even acknowledge that she was there, even when Lula made comments on how cute they were and booped them on the nose. The only sign they gave of even noticing Lula's presence was when they wiggled their noses in confusion when she booped them.

As they made their way through the city, Trixie quickly noticed it wasn't just the guards. Nopony seemed to notice Lula at all.

"It seems I am only visible to you, little one," Lula commented, though Trixie couldn't tell if she was concerned or excited about the revalation.

Trixie, on the other hoof, most definitely wasn't. The scenarios of ponies thinking she's crazy and talking to herself already popped into her head. She sighed, perhaps she was crazy. Perhaps all of this was just in her head and she had just finally snapped after her latest failure.....

Trixie felt a hoof on her shoulder and looked to see Lula comforting her, shaking her head no. Trixie wasn't sure how to respond, so she decided to dismiss both the thought and the gesture for now.

She made her way to familiar shop that sat just a few blocks from Rarity's Boutique that had recently opened up. She looked up to see the familiar sign of the Fireworks shop, Blaze and Gaze's Fireworks Extravaganza. A bit over the top, but they were without question, the best fireworks shop in Equestria. Especially after that Flim Flam brothers fiasco two years back.

The Blaze and Gaze was owned by a pair of twins, coincidentally named Blaze and Gaze. Blaze, the brother, worked up front, selling the merchant, though sometimes he would be in the back helping Gaze, the sister, who was almost always in the back. Blaze was was a charmer, to be sure, but he definitely wasn't Trixie's type. And Gaze always unnerved her, though she was kind enough to teach Trixie how to make fireworks on her own, she always felt a bit.....off. She would often stare at Trixie with a very big smile every time she saw her. Luckily, that wasn't often.

With the familiar ring of a bell, Trixie opened the door. Blaze was up front as usual, but thankfully, Gaze was nowhere to be seen.

Blaze noticed her immediately, "Why, if it isn't the Grrrrreeaat and Powerful Trrrrixie, our number one customer! How can I help you this fine day?"

"I'll just take some materials, I don't have enough to buy the usual stock today, unfortunately," Trixie replied with a sad sigh, "It's ten bits for a small barrell of gunpowder, yes?"

Blaze smiled, then reached below the counter, "Yes indeed it is, but for our number one customer, I think I can make you quite the deal...."

Suddenly he pulled up not only a barrel of gunpowder, but a bundle of her usual stock as well, containing several hundred fireworks, and even a few of the newer ones that Trixie couldn't possibly afford even on a good day.

"Blaze....I can't buy all this! I told you, I don't have that many--"

"Ten bits. All of this for Ten bits," he said with a smile.

"Oh, he's so cute!" Lula said swirling through the air.

Trixie took a step back, "But, why? I can't buy all that for Ten bits! Trixie may like a good bargain like any mare, but that feels like stealing. And Trixie is not a thief!"

Blaze waved a hoof dismissively, "Nonsense. Ten bits for it all, besides..." He grabbed her hoof and gave it a polite kiss, "A mare of a beauty such as yours deserves nothing but the best, wouldn't you agree?"

Trixie blushed and yanked her hoof back. "A-As flattering as that is, Trixie doesn't want to make you and your sister's store go bankrupt selling such things at such a low, low price."

"Ah, Nonsense, my esteemed mare! Our shop is doing fine, and I highly doubt such generosity will hurt our profits too much."

He gave her a wink and Trixie, with a sigh, finally surrendered. She handed over the ten bits.

"Thank you, pleasure doing business with you, Miss Lulamoon!"

Trixie nodded and took the supplies and headed out there door.

As Trixie headed towards her wagon to drop off the supplies, Trixie noticed Lula smirking.

"What?" Trixie asked in an annoyed tone.

"That pony really seems to like you. And he's cute," Lula gave her a giddy smirk.

Trixie sighed, and waited until she started unloading the supplies into the wagon before giving her reply.

"He really likes a lot of mares. He's a huge flirt, and the whole town knows it. Plus, of course he's cute, his ego wouldn't be as big as it is of he wasn't."

"He doesn't seem to be a bad pony, he was pretty nice to you just then, after all."

Trixie rolled her eyes, "Yeah, he may be a nice pony, and I'm grateful for that, but that doesn't mean---"

"Um, Miss Lulamoon?"

Trixie and Lula turned to see a pony suited in royal armor approach them. He was the typical white coat, blue maned pony that one commonly found in the Royal Guard. "You are Miss Lulamoon, correct?"

"Um...yes. I am her. What is it?" Trixie replied cautiously.

"A letter for you, miss." He handed her a scroll with a royal seal on it. Trixie quickly took and broke the seal, eager to see what was written within. She had never gotten a letter with the royal seal on it before, what could they want?

To those of House Lulamoon,
you are cordially invited to the royal court for a talk. You are to make utmost haste.There is much to discuss.

"What? The Princess wants to talk to me?! Princess Celestia wants to talk with the Great and Powerful Trixie?!"

The guard gave an emotionless wave of his hoof, "Miss, please read the whole letter."

Trixie gave him a confused look then scanned over the letter again. Then she noticed it, there at the bottom. Her jaw agape:

Signed: Her Lunar Highness, Princess Luna.

"Princess Luna wants to talk to ME?!" Trixie gasped in surprise, then suddenly, she blinked in confusion. "Wait a moment, how did she even know I was here? I literally just got here half an hour ago...."

The guard shrugged, "The message is for all of members of House Lulamoon. You are simply the first and only one I could find."

Trixie grimaced at that. Something told her that this wasn't the royal attention she was hoping for...

"Ooh! Let's go see what she wants! Destiny awaits!" Lula declared in utmost cheer. Trixie sighed.

Why did she suddenly have a bad feeling about all this?

Author's Note

Sorry this one was so late, I've been busy lately, and my birthday just passed so, its been a hectic week, anyways, the adventure begins! (Kinda). Lol. Hope you enjoyed it, see you in the next chapter!

Chapter 4: Meeting

While Trixie was normally a mare all for publicity, especially if concerning royalty (Twilight still doesn't count), something about this felt off. Why address a letter to House Lulamoon when Trixie was the only member left?

"That is odd....I wonder what she wants?" Lula pondered.

Trixie gave an irritated swish of her tail, annoyed that 'Lula' was still reading her thoughts. "Would you stop that?!" She protested. The guard escorting them stopped and gave her a confused look.

Trixie blushed, "U-Uh, N-Not you! Heh heh, uh.....Trixie was just...talking...to a pony...over there. They'regonenow,solet'sgo,Okay?" She gave a sheepish smile, speaking faster and urging that they just simply continue on.

The guard gave a questioning glance before shrugging and continuing on escorting them to the palace.

Trixie gave a sigh of relief as he turned his back to her. She gave a scolding glare to Lula, "You're going to make Everypony think I'm crazy!!" she whispered as quietly as she could, hoping the guard wouldn't hear.

He didn't seem to notice. Lula chuckled, hugging her, "I told you, we are connected. And if any pony laughs at us, we will just show them how Grrrreaat and Powerful we are."

Trixie wanted refute her hug, but couldn't bring herself to do it, as it did feel comforting.

Suddenly, a ferocious scowl then appeared on Lula's face. "And if any pony ever tries to hurt you, I'll tear them limb from limb..."

Trixie recoiled in shock from that statement, but Lula didn't seem to notice, instead she continued to hug her snugly.

Trixie glanced around with a frown, "Could you maybe go elsewhere for a little bit?" she whispered, "I'd like to be alone with my thoughts for a bit."

Lula smiled brightly, "Sure!" She then hovered in front of Trixie and put a hoof to her chest. That same magenta light appeared from Trixie's chest, and Lula dived into it. Trixie yelped in surprise, which got her a few stares from some nearby ponies, but other than that, everything seem normal. If any of what had just occurred could be considered normal...

She sighed with relief, she still wasn't ready for all this craziness just yet.
The possibility that this 'Guardian' or whatever might attack or kill other ponies was a bit frightening to Trixie. However, before she could think on it further, the guard escorting her cleared his throat, signalling they had arrived.

Trixie had seen the castle from a distance many times in her past, and even visited once with her family, but she was too young at the time to remember any of it. However, the sight of the Castle up close still took her breath away. How many time had she dreamed and fantasized of being here, performing her Great and Powerful show in front of the Princess? Perhaps becoming a Princess herself?

But....those were still just dreams. She wasn't here to perform. She had been summoned to a meeting. And she was no Princess.

Twilight Sparkle was.

Before she could wallow in her despair, the Guard escorting her was approached by another Guard. This one was a thestral, and thus one of Luna's Night Guard. He stood proud and strong, bit his gaze and teeth were what intimidated Trixie the most.

"You are dismissed, Lieutenant. I will take it from here," he ordered. The other guard gave a small nod and saluted before turning and walking away.

"You are one of the ponies of House Lulamoon, correct? I am Corporal Wicked Fang. Don't let the name fool you, I assure you I don't bite." He gave a little wink.

Trixie gave a nervous smile as she pulled the note from her mane. "I'm Trixie Lulamoon, and I got this letter from--"

"Right this way, Miss," he said, turning around a signalling her to follow. It took her a moment to collect herself, but she didn't keep him waiting long.

He led her through the maze of castle corridors until he came to a stop In front of two large golden doors that bore the symbols of the sun and moon.

Wicked Fang held out a wing to halt her. "Halt for a moment."

Trixie paused and watched as he gave a brief, loud knock before opening the door, "Your Highnesses? Pardon the intrusion but Beatrix Eleganza Luminia Lulamoon of House Lulamoon has arrived."

Trixie shuddered at the use of her full name. How did he know it? She even had it changed in the public records to just Trixie Lulamoon, to save herself the embarrassment of others finding out what her middle names were. However, she had little time to think on that as she was pushed into the room with the doors closing behind her.

There was a moment of awkward silence as she gawked at the princesses.

Princess Celestia was the first to speak, "Oh! It's Trixie!" She gave a small chuckle, "I should have realized that was your name announced. I see now why your Mother called you her little Bell..."

Trixie's face flushed in embarrassment as memories of her time in Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns resurfaced.

Quickly wanting to change topic, Trixie stammered, "U-Um, t-the letter said that Princess Luna wished to speak to me? H-How may the Great and Powerful Trixie be of service?"

Trixie lowered her head so that her hat covered her blush as Celestia gave a soft chuckle to her performance. Thankfully, Princess Luna was more straight laced than that, "Worry not, all will be made clear as soon as the rest of House Lulamoon arrives. It is urgent that all be here first. This matter concerns your House as a whole, not just you."

Trixie frowned, Does she really not know?

"Well, Trixie will hate to break it to you, but Trixie is all of House Lulamoon. The others are.....gone. Trixie has nopony else remaining in her....House."

Lula emerged again and gave Trixie another hug, and that ever persistent feeling swelled in her chest once more, comforting her.

"What?! Surely, this cannot be?! Has House Lulamoon truly fallen so low?" Luna asked, worry spreading across her face.

"......I'm afraid so, Princess," Trixie replied with a sigh.

"Then it is as I feared, Luna...." Princess Celestia said with a look of worry.

Trixie gave a confused look. How did the Princesses not know the state of House Lulamoon? Were they really not that important?

Lula huffed, "Of course we are important! One does not become a noble house unless you are important!"

That made Trixie feel better. Somewhat.

"Indeed."

Trixie snapped her head quickly to face Princess Luna, unsure if she was answering Celestia or Lula. However, Luna's attention still seemed to be focused on her sister.

"First House Im'mer and now this? How did we not notice sooner, sister?" Luna inquired worriedly.

Celestia shook her head, "I do not know. And with my former student having fled through Starswirl's mirror, it's almost as if Fate itself has been set against us...."

Trixie frowned, "Pardon me, but Trixie is confused. What is going on? Why was Trixie summoned here? What is it that you want of House Lulamoon?"

When the two Princesses turned their scrutinizing gazes towards Trixie, she almost yelped, fearful that she had spoken out of turned. Only when their faces relaxed did she relax.

"Oh! I just noticed! These ones have wings and a horn! How cute!" Lula exclaimed, floating closer for a closer examination.

Trixie was mortified that Lula might try and boop the Princesses as she had done the other ponies. But then remembered that nopony but her could even see Lula. That still didn't make her feel much better though.

"Halt, Guardian. We are not thy play things!" Luna suddenly commanded.

Trixie's jaw fell as she gawked in surprise.

"You can see her?!"
"You can see me?!" Lula and Trixie asked at the same time.

Luna nodded while Celestia took a sip of her tea, "Indeed we can. Now, I think it wise for you to respect your Princesses' orders, do you not?"

Lula blinked for a moment before bowing with a nod and drifting back behind Trixie. "Ooh, I like her!" Lula whispered giddily.

"I see that you at least have been made aware of your heritage as an Archmage of House Lulamoon. That should make things easier," said Princess Celestia with a sigh of relief.

"Heritage? What do you mean heritage? I literally just woke up this morning to find this thing floating around in my wagon! It claims to be Trixie's 'Guardian' and won't leave her alone despite her protests! And you two are the first ponies besides Trixie that's been able to see her all day! Trixie thought she was going crazy!"

Celestia and Luna both frowned.

Luna spoke first, "Rest assured, you have not 'gone crazy' and that is indeed your Guardian, signifying you as an Archmage, just as the rest of House Lulamoon is--were."

"What? No! That's impossible! Trixie would remember if she saw floating wolf ponies and weird star shaped staves before! And she hasn't, so that is impossible!" Trixie protested, such a thing was impossible, wasn't it?

Lula put a hoof on her shoulder, "They speak the truth. Remember what I told you? Archmages aren't born at random. It a part of your Lineage. That means this a part of our family. It has always been a part of our family."

Lula then frowned, "I am still not sure how I know that, but I do."

Celestia then spoke, "That makes sense, Guardians are bounded by ancient magics, and as a result, a few of them can sometimes gleam knowledge from your ancestors, and your ancestors' ancestors. It is not common, but it isn't unheard of."

Trixie frowned in confusion. Her parents were Archmages? Her grandparents were Archmages? Wait did that mean her Aunt had been one as well?!

"Wha....b-but.....how? Why? Trixie is so confused!" Every explanation so far was only giving her more and more questions.

Luna got up from her throne and put a wing around Trixie, comforting her. "Do not worry, you deserve an explanation, and an explanation you shall have, however this story is a bit of a long one. And while things are urgent, it seems you are our only hope."

"Only hope? What do you mean only hope? If there is something bad happening, can't you just send Twilight and her friends like you always do?"

It was Celestia's turn to speak, "It isn't that simple I'm afraid. Massacre, the Spirit of Carnage may soon return."

"And you can't just send Twilight and her friends because...?"

Celestia sighed, "The Elements of Harmony have little effect on it."

Trixie took a moment to process that. Nope still didn't make any sense.

"What?!" Trixie exclaimed, "What do you mean the Elements of Harmony have little effect on it? If they can't do anything, what do you want me for?! I'm just a Showmare! I didn't defeat that Ursa Minor, Twilight did!"

She stomped her hoof for emphasis, but yelped when the floor cracked as a result.

"Calm yourself, we have much to explain, it seems," Luna ordered, returning to her seat beside Celestia.

"I didn't mean to do that! I don't know how that happened! Trixie was only--" Trixie tried to explain frantically, but was cut off when Celestia spoke.

"Beatrix. Relax. You are safe, my little pony. We know you have a lot of questions, and that there some things you simply don't understand at the moment, but you need to relax."

Trixie hung her head down low, "Yes, Princess." She felt like a foal again, back at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns.

Lula pulled her into another hug. Trixie didn't protest despite how silly she must have looked being held like a foal by a floating wolf-pony-thing. This day was simply too weird for her to even worry about such things.

"Now, let us start from the beginning, feel free to take a seat, there is much for us to tell you," Luna said, shifting in her own seat while Celestia ordered more tea, for all of them.

What have I gotten myself into this time? Trixie pondered as she listened to their tale....

Author's Note

Next Chapter will be a lot of lore drop as well as exposition, but it will be nice to finally have some answers down, eh? As well as stir up a few new questions, of course! :raritywink:

Anyways, see you in the next chapter! Crowborn out!

Chapter 5: Questions, Answers, and more Questions.

Luna took a deep sigh, indicating she would be the first to speak.

"It all started almost a thousand years ago, ten years after the fall of Discord, and six years after the mysterious disappearance of the Crystal Empire. We began to receive reports of strange and horrible monsters never before seen to ponykind that were attacking several of our remote villages, slaughtering many innocents."

"They feasted on the flesh and blood of their victims, and the more they ate, the stronger they became. It was clear that we would have to take immediate action."

Luna paused to sip her tea, and Celestia continued where Luna had left off.

"We gathered our armies and began a purge of these horrendous creatures, and at first, we were winning. But we learned quickly that these creatures could not be slain by normal means, they could only be killed via magic. Still, we persisted on, and though we lost many a good pony, victory seemed within our grasp,"

"But then she came. Massacre, the Spirit of Carnage." Both Celestia and Luna visibly shuddered.

"She slaughtered not only many of our troops, but almost all of her own, not caring in the slightest whom she killed. In desperation, we tried to use the Elements of Harmony against her, but they were little more than an annoyance to her, as she found Harmony within Carnage. Our soldiers could not stand up to her, only my sister and I, and our magic, were able to stand up to her, but still she was too much for us alone to overcome,"

Trixie blinked, shaking her head, a look of confusion upon her face. "What? Harmony in Carnage? What the buck is that supposed to mean?! That doesn't make any sense!"

Both of the sisters frowned, and gave each other an uncertain look.

"We don't know, it is the only answer she offered, but it stumps even us to this very day...We are not certain of by what she means. Regardless, the Elements proved ineffective against her." Luna replied, shaking her head.

Celestia nodded, and then continued on with the story.

"She boasted that she had finally defeated her sister, Gentle, the Spirit of Benevolence, another being we sadly had little knowledge of at the time. From what we know now, everything that exists has an equal yet opposite counterpart. The Sun and the Moon, Chaos and Harmony, and so on. Thus we suspect Gentle was Massecre's counterpart,"

Trixie gave a nervous glance, "Was?"

Celestia gave a solemn sigh. "Massacre had rent her sister in two and casted each half across Equestria in opposite directions."

Trixie gasped in horror, but otherwise remained silent.

"We were fighting a losing battle, but unbeknownst to us, a pair of brothers and a pair of sisters had each embarked to locate Gentle's body. They each had been given a vision and told where to go by Gentle herself."

"She was still alive?!" Trixie gasped, but Celestia merely continued on with their story.

"The Im'mer brothers went on a journey to find the torso, and the Lulamoon Sisters went to find Gentle's lower half. Upon finding them both, we are told Gentle, in her last dying breath, bequeathed all of her power and her very essence into the two brothers and the two sisters, awakening within them a new form of magic that had never been seen in our world before. From their breasts were birthed the First Guardians, and they themselves became the first Archmages. Together, both the Brothers and the Sisters, alongside their new Guardians, fought back and defeated Massacre and her forces, using a ritual to banish and seal her away from this world forever."

This time, Luna spoke up, "It is from them that House Im'mer and House Lulamoon was born. For a time there was peace, but after fifty years had passed, she returned again, but once again those of House Im'mer and House Lulamoon were able to stop her. However, in yet another fifty years, she appeared again, and was defeated, and this continued for the next five hundred years until an Archmage from House Lulamoon, named Bella Lulamoon, and her Guardian bound Massecre's essence into a stone and then casted it into the void and crafted a seal to prevent her from ever returning again. The cycle stopped, and my sister had believed the menace to be over..."

Trixie flattened her ears, "but...?"

Celestia frowned, "But as of yesterday, the Seal has begun to crack, and we fear that Massacre may yet again return."

Trixie shook her head, too many thoughts and questions swirling in her head. "Wait, how come Trixie has never heard of this before? Trixie thinks she would remember reading about this in the history books! Blood Monsters, Spirits of Carnage, and Powerful Magical Seals aren't something you just simply forget about!"

Lula wrapped her in another protective hug, but whispered softly so the Princesses wouldn't hear, "I don't know for certain, but I feel like there is still much they aren't telling us...."

Trixie gave a small nod as Celestia began to reply.

"Equestria is in an era of Peace and Prosperity that is unheard of in many a millennia. If ponies knew of Massacre and her deeds, I fear it could do great harm to that peace."

"But that doesn't--"

Celestia's eyes turned a strange cold, and Trixie felt an oppressive aura emit from the Princess, making Trixie shudder, briefly, in fear. If Luna noticed any of this, she gave no indication. All of this, after all, occurred in but a split of a second and was gone just as quickly as it came.

"And because of that, I think it would be best if we continued to keep as low of a profile as we can. Massacre must not return, for she will she destroy both the Peace and Prosperity of our land, and bring harm to countless innocent ponies. She must be stopped, wouldn't you agree?"

"Of course, sister, we believe everypony would agree. There should be no need to ask," replied Luna.

Celestia gave that same motherly chuckle that she was known for, "I know, but you know how I worry, Luna.'

Celestia's tone had never changed, always that sweet and kind, motherly voice she always had, but Trixie had never been more unsettled in her life. She noticed Lula was even hovering even more protectively around her.

She then noticed the two Princesses were staring at her, awaiting a reply. Well, unsettled or not, Trixie wasn't about to disagree with royalty, especially not if she knew what was good for her health.

" O-Of course, The Wise and Humble Trixie couldn't agree more! Though she still has many things she doesn't quite understand...."

Celestia nodded, "Feel free to ask away. I'm sure we can alleviate some of the confusion that must surely be swirling within your mind."

Though Celestia had said it in her same sweet voice with her usual kind and gentle smile, Trixie knew there were a few questions that she would be better off not asking at the moment.

She took a shaky breath to steady her nerves before continuing, "Well, for starters, why did you two not know much about these two....spirits, you called them? Anyways, Trixie does not see how one wouldn't know about Massager--"

"Massacre." Luna corrected.

"--Er...Massacre or whatever, if she was as...brutal...as you claim. Wouldn't there be word or at the very least, rumors beforehoof? Trixie finds it hard to believe that you wouldn't have at least heard of such a thing beforehoof."

This time, Luna gave the reply, "An astute question, little one. We believe both Massacre and Gentle came from another world, unlike Discord, whom was born here in our own. How they came to be here is unknown. The one who could tell you is Discord, but he hasn't been very helpful on that subject."

Trixie could have sworn she heard a distinct laughter echo in the distance before fading off, but neither Luna nor Celestia gave any sign of hearing it.

Trixie didn't see Lula react to it either, so she decided to dismiss it for now. "And this whole Harmony/Carnage thing doesn't make any sense! How can there be Harmony in Carnage? And how does that protect her from the Elements of Harmony? That doesn't make any sense!"

Luna frowned, "We do not know. We are just as confused about it as you are, it is what she told us, though she could be lying, I suppose."

Trixie scoffed, "Well, of course she's lying! That explanation doesn't make any sense whatsoever! Trixie wouldn't bet a single bit on any word 'Massager--'"

"Massacre."

"--whatever--says, based on what you've told Trixie. She clearly must be lying or have screw or two loose at the very least!"

"Perhaps, though I have a feeling it isn't as straight forward as that," Luna said with a frown.

Trixie rolled her eyes, but she still had many questions left to ask. "Also, if Trixie's family all had 'Guardians' then why hasn't Trixie seen any of them before? Or anypony else for that matter? And why can nopony except me and you two see or hear Lula? And why do things keep shattering when Trixie stomps on them?"

Celestia began to take another sip of her tea, but frowned upon finding it empty. Whilst Celestia poured herself another cup, Luna gave a long sigh.

"Luckily, the first three questions can be solved simply. Guardians can only be seen by Awakened Archmages, Alicorns, Spirits, and other Guardians. And possibly by Changeling Queens, but that has never been confirmed."

Trixie blinked, "Awakened Archmages? What does that mean? What are those?"

This time, Celestia gave the reply, "Awakened Archmages are any Archmage whose Guardian has emerged. Usually, such a process takes a couple of years of training to achieve this, though there have been a few cases of this happening in stressful or life and death situations, or in times of great need or danger."

Luna then spoke up, " This is why we had thought you had training, though we see now that this wasn't the case. As for your last question, it is not unusual for an Awakened Archmage to experience enhanced magical prowess, physical strength, and endurance, in a similar manner as an Alicorn. It may take some time, but you will adjust to it."

"Wait, Alicorn? Does this mean Trixie is a Princess now?"

Both Celestia and Luna chuckled, before Celestia replied "No. You are no Alicorn. Your magic simply scales on a similar level, and offers similar augments, but they are not the same thing. Though, this similarity is what grants we Alicorns the ability to perceive an Archmage's Guardian. Alicorn magic is birthed by Harmony. Yours is not, nor ever will be."

Trixie wouldn't admit it, but that stung.

"Is that why Trixie saw magical batwings when all this weirdness started? Because it's similar?"

Both of the Princesses' eyes widened, before Luna gave a small smile. "Perhaps the situation is not as hopeless as we once thought, sister."

"Indeed."

"Wait, what is that supposed to mean? What does the whole batwing thing mean? Trixie only saw them for a few seconds! Trixie is pretty sure they were just a dream, right?"

"I think that is enough for now, don't you agree, sister?" Celestia asked with a grin barely hidden by her usual formal masked expression.

"Agreed, sister." Luna replied with a nod, then she turned to Trixie, "T'was no dream, but rest assured this is good news. This meeting is now adjourned, and a guard will escort you to a room for you to stay for the night. Training begins tomorrow morning. I suggest you get an early rest. You'll need it."

And with that, several guards entered and began escorting Trixie away.

"Wait! But Trixie still has so many questions! Princess, please--!" Too late, the doors closed, cutting her off. The guards wordlessly escorted to her new room.

When the door was closed and she was sure they were alone, she took a deep breath, "Lula? Do you know what the whole batwing thing is all about?"

Lula frowned, seeming to ponder it for a moment, "Mmm...no. Nothing seems to come to me. I guess its not something I know. Sorry, little one, it's a blank for me too, it seems," she sounded genuinely disheartened by that.

Trixie almost stomped her hoof in frustration, but managed to think better of it. "THAT IS IT!! TRIXIE REALLY NEEDS THAT SPA DAY!" She shouted, frustrated with all that had happened today. She stormed her way out of the room, out of the castle, and into the Canterlot Spa Center, paid her thirty bits, and marched her way to the jacuzzi room and eased her way into the tub.

Today was just too bizarre for her, and she had had enough. Too many questions roiled in her mind and barely any answers. The whole day was ludicrous! She must be dreaming. Archmages, Massager--Whatever! It was all just too crazy to be true!

Though, her gut told her it was true and this wasn't a dream, but that only added to her frustration. However, right now Trixie needed to relax, and there was only one way to do that. She lowered her muzzle beneath the warm water of the Jacuzzi, and then screamed. And screamed and screamed.

Lula wanted to say something to comfort her, but she could feel that Trixie needed this, so she resigned to sitting next to Trixie and rubbing the little one's shoulders. When Trixie was done, they walked back to the Castle and back to the room they were given for the night. Trixie quickly climbed into the bed and went to sleep.

Meanwhile, Lula watched her little one with a worried look upon her face. She could feel the turmoil of emotions still swirling within her. If only Lula could comfort her more.....

Author's Note

So, yeah, there we go, answered a few questions but there are still many more unanswered. Like I said before, this chapter is mainly lore drop and exposition, but I feel that this was necessary. Any who, see you guys in the next chapter!

Chapter 6: Waking Horrors

The sky was once more a deep shade of Crimson. The stench of death and decay permeated the air, making Trixie cover her muzzle in disgust. Her eyes began to sting from the smell, so much so that she had to close her eyes. She needed to get away from that smell. She began running as fast as she could. Anywhere would do as long as it was away from this awful, gut-wrenching stench! She kept running and running, but no matter which direction she ran, the stench only got worse and worse.

Finally, she darted through a patch of bushes and kept running. Until she started to hear sick crunching noises beneath her hooves followed by moist plopping sounds. Trixie nervously opened her stinging eyes, only to wish she never had.

Corpses.

She was running on corpses. They were everywhere. Hundreds, thousands, millions. Perhaps even more....

Mutilated, contorted, defiled, twisted corpses, all with eyes pleading for help. And each and every one of them was Trixie Lulamoon.

Trixie vomited. She couldn't stop herself. Her eyes still stung, the smell stronger than ever, and her lungs heaved as she puked what little contents of her stomach she had left. She couldn't imagine a scene so repulsive.

Suddenly, she heard a scream. It sounded familiar. She wasn't sure why, but she needed to save this pony.
Steeling herself, Trixie hurried towards the sound of the screams, all the while her hooves crunching more bones beneath them while her fur and mane continued to be stained crimson as she struggled to wade through the corpses.

Finally, she saw them, two ponies in the distance, one clearly cowering before the other. As she drew closer, she realized the larger of the two was no pony. It's body was pony like in shape, but the sharp teeth, the larger than normal mouth, the clawed talons, and the lizard-like tail meant it was clearly something else. It's ethereal mane flowed as if made of crimson blood. It's eyes were surprisingly warm and beautiful, but the menacing smirk made them more terrifying.

And the other pony. It was another Trixie Lulamoon, except this one was still alive and looking at her with pleading eyes.

"No! Please! Don't come any closer! Please! Run away and save yourself!" the other Trixie begged her.

The other pony finally took notice of her.

"Why if it isn't little Miss Lulamoon.... Have you come to try to stop poor, little old me?" the pony-creature asked.

"W-What? W-Wait, your that Massager thing that the Princesses warned me about, aren't you?" Trixie felt a cold grip of fear suddenly encase her heart.

The pony-creature gave a sinister and amused grin. "Has it really been so long that they have forgotten my name? Why, let me clear that right up for you..."

Suddenly the other Trixie dashed away, trying to flee from this monster, but the pony-creature caught her effortlessly and lifted her up by her hind legs, making her dangle uselessly in the air. The other Trixie tried to use magic to try and escape, but the pony-creature ruthlessly grabbed the other Trixie's horn and ripped it off.

The other Trixie screamed in pain, but the pony-creature wasn't done with her. The pony-creature began to violently sprout another pair of limbs, each ending in a pair of talons.

The other Trixie turned to Trixie and began begging for help. Pleading, crying, and sobbing, but Trixie was frozen in place by both horror and fear.

Suddenly, the pony-creature grabbed the other Trixie by her plot, a taloned claw on each side, and began to rip her in two. Slowly.

The sick snapping and stretching of flesh and sinew could be heard alongside the sound of bones cracking, squirting Trixie with the blood and innards of the other Trixie. All the while, the other Trixie screamed. It wasn't even a pony scream anymore. It was hoarse and primal, a raw guttural screech that reverberated agony. And it wouldn't stop.

The other Trixie didn't stop screaming until the pony-creature had split her chest, and then finally, with one swift motion, and the most sickening of snaps, the other Trixie was finally completely torn in two.

"I am Massacre. And once I am free, you'll WISH your death was as kind as that! Hahahahahahaha!!"

Trixie felt another wave of sheer terror grip her. Her body began to shiver and shake, her stomach began folding into knots and she began to puke and sob at the same time.

"And Don't You Forget It!!!" Massacre suddenly lunged at her, the intent to kill oozing from her eyes, but all Trixie could do was scream.

Suddenly Lula appeared, shielding Trixie. "You will not have her! Trixie, Awaken."

______________________________________

Trixie awoke screaming, but Lula held her firmly in a hug. "Shhh.....it's okay little one. She will not hurt you. I won't let her. Shhh..."

Trixie sobbed into Lula's shoulder. And even though she was terrified, she felt that familiar feeling she always felt suddenly well through her chest.

"Shhh...We are meant for Greatness and Power, and we will stop her, little one. She will not take you from me, nor I from you...this I promise...."

Suddenly the bedroom door burst open and Luna alongside several guards entered the room. "What is wrong? We heard screaming, and worried that there was trouble!"

It was then that Luna noticed the sobbing Trixie and Lula comforting her. Trixie was visibly shaking, her body convulsing, but thankfully it seemed to be calming down thanks to Lula's efforts.

"What happened?" Luna inquired again, worry etched into her tone and face.

Lula scowled at Luna, "She was having a Nightmare, and Massacre was there. But you weren't."

"What?" Luna asked in a confused tone.

"Are you not the Princess of the Night, and Guardian of dreams? Where were you when my little one was having these Nightmares?" Lula accused, baring her fangs but continuing to hold the still sobbing Trixie in a protective hug.

"Thou sayest that Massacre had entered her dreams?" Luna asked, alarmed.

"Yes, obviously! But that still doesn't answer our question, where were you?" Lula replied almost in a snarl.

Luna frowned, "We were unaware she had this ability. Though, this might explain a few things..... I did not come because I was not aware of any Nightmare in progress. She seems to have slipped past my senses. But do not fret, I will make sure this does not happen again. I will do all in my power to make sure she doesn't invade Trixie's dreams again."

Lula was quiet for a moment, gently stroking Trixie's mane. "The Little One still trusts you, so I too shall, for now..." She replied after evaluating Trixie's emotions. Trixie, unfortunately was still too traumatized to speak.

Luna gave a sigh of relief, "Though this does bring into question her motives for doing this. Or better yet, how? As of the moment, the seal keeping her in the Void is still holding, but it is starting to crack. Perhaps she is able to seep some of her essence and power through the cracks...? If so, we will need to deal with this immediately. I will let Celestia know, but in the meantime, make sure she gets some rest. She does not need to sleep for the rest of the night, it is too risky anyways, but rest is still needed. However we will continue with our scheduled training, first thing in the morning."

Lula nodded in agreement. " Fine."

Trixie sniffed, "I don't want to sleep ever again..."

Luna gave one last worried look at Trixie before a look of determination flashed onto her face. "The Princess of the Night solemnly swears from this moment forward that thou shall not have any such Nightmares again, not whilst we still live. Thou hast our word."

And with that, Luna and her guards left the room, presumably to go and inform Princess Celestia of what had occurred.
___________________________

Meanwhile, in an abandoned warehouse in Manehattan...

There was an eerie silence despite the small crowd of ponies that had gathered. Each one was garbed in hooded robes of crimson and wore amulets bearing insignias of a red river split between a darkened sun and moon.

The warehouse was draped in several banners with the same insignia, alongside many lit candles. The warehouse bore no windows, to be safe from prying eyes, and a perception filter that would cause any pony who was an outsider to completely ignore it.

Suddenly, a solemn clopping could be heard as three ponies robed in similar colored robed, but two were also adorned in black, and the other with gold. Behind them, being dragged, was the limp body of an earth pony mare. The made bore a magenta coat and a mane with two different shades of pink woven in. Her cutie mark was that of three daisies.

The two ponies that were garbed in both crimson and black dragged the unconscious made unto the stage, which had a simple wooden podium in front of a stone slab alter, and behind that were two more banners bearing their insignia.

Once she was placed on the alter, the one garbed in crimson and gold, stepped forward and lit his horn, his face still shrouded by his hood, and released the spell that was keeping the mare asleep.

The mare's eyes slowly fluttered open before suddenly jutting awake.

"Ooohhh....ugh...huh? What time is--- Wait! Where am I? This isn't Ponyville! What's going on? Who are you ponies?!"

The made began to squirm to get to her hooves, but she was quickly forced back down onto the alter by the two ponies robed in crimson and black.

The pony robed in gold and crimson began to speak. "Oh, Carnia, Our Goddess Supreme, please accept this offering so that you may return and topple the throne of Novius and Lunaris, and bathe the world in the truth of your light!!"

"What in Tartarus are you going on about?!" cried the made, that is until she saw the gold and crimson robed pony pull out an ornate dagger. Her eyes widened in fear.

"W-Wait! You can't do this! I'm a teacher! I have little foals to take care of! Ponies will notice if I'm gone, please! Don't do this!"

No pony in the room gave any expression, and with a flick of the robed pony's magic, the mare's throat was slit and her blood poured onto the alter.

"May Carnia feast upon your soul..."

There was silence for a long moment as the blood drained from the mare's corpse.

Then the leader of the group removed her hood, revealing a stunningly beautiful white unicorn mare with azure eyes. As her gold and crimson hood fell to her shoulders, one of the two in black began to address her. "My Lady Vo--"

Suddenly the made cut him off with a snarl, "Do not say my name, He-of-Runes!! You know we only use our code names during meetings,"

The hooded stallion bowed, "Yes, Blooded One. My Lady, how much longer must we wait?"

The Blooded One smirked, "Our Mistress shall return to us soon, I have seen it in my visions. Soon the Blood of the Sun and Moon shall paint these walls, and the other two imposters shall be devoured as well. So worry not, fellow Child of Carnia, we should not have to wait long."

The stallion gave a silent nod, as did all the other ponies in the room. The mare then stomped her hoof, "This meeting is adjourned! May the Blood favor you!"

"May the Blood favor you!" The others replied in unison.

The mare then huffed and rolled her eyes as she turned around, then she pointed at the now dead mare on the alter, " And will someone please throw this trash away? I don't need this garbage stinking up our temple like last time."