Devil Squad

by David Silver

Rating: mature
Tags: My Little Pony: The Movie, Adventure, Violence, Princess Celestia, Slice of Life, Human, Princess Luna, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Original Character, Trixie, Rockhoof
Length: 38474

Finally, Twilight has taken control of Equestria. This relieves Celestia and Luna of such a burdensome position. It's time to live a little! Celestia sets off in pursuit of adventure with her sister and they soon gather a ragtag crew to risk it all.

Finally, Twilight has taken control of Equestria. This relieves Celestia and Luna of such a burdensome position. It's time to live a little! Celestia sets off in pursuit of adventure with her sister and they soon gather a ragtag crew to risk it all.

Done for a loyal patron.

Extra tags: Devil fruit, overpowered OCs, displaced, balanced challenges, no sociopaths.

Come on this newest journey with me!

Published 2019-06-16 15:40:01 UTC
Last updated 2022-11-14 16:14:39 UTC

1 - Retirement

"You will do Equestria proud." Celestia set a metal-clad hoof on Twilight's shoulder, smiling at her once-student, then replacement. "I leave her in good hooves."

"I'll do my best." Twilight dipped her head. "I have good friends at my side."

"And they will prove invaluable." She began to turn away. "Never forget that and think this must all rest on your shoulders alone."

"My sister speaks truth. Remember what makes you strong and you will perform better than we ever could have hoped." Luna turned with Celestia, the two departing at one.

They were no longer rulers of Equestria. Neither looked that upset about the fact. As soon as they were out of sight, vanishing down the hallways towards their chambers, Luna broke the silence, "Now we begin the vacation? You promised we could see the world."

"And see the world we shall." Celestia nodded to the guards they came across that stood guard at her door. "But not as you have likely envisioned. I would not idle my time away." She pressed past them, escorting Luna into the room. Golden magic closed the heavy doors tight. "We go, not as tourists, but as something far more exciting."

Luna quirked an ear, studying her sister. "I pray you do not mean as diplomats?"

"Only if we're paid to be..." Celestia walked towards her closet and threw it wide open. She reached into its dizzying variety of hanging clothes and came out with something floating just above her hoof that was not cloth at all, instead hard metal. "We go as sell-swords. We will adventure and know the thrills of a life at risk."

Luna's other ear joined its erect kin. "Celly, you're serious? After so long preaching peace, tolerance, and docility, you rush to become none of those things?"

"Are you complaining?" Celestia began to dress herself, switching horseshoes to more practical protective wear. Her magic slid the torso-covering armor over her top and pulled her grand tail through the hole provided. "How do I look?"

"You... look new." Luna threw her head towards her own room. "I have armor, as you are aware."

"Then you should be changing into it." She nodded softly as she turned towards her sister. "We may use our magic freely for a change, but mistakes happen, and a little physical protection certainly won't be remiss."

Luna suddenly extended a wing, plinking against Celestia's armor with a few feathers. "You are serious, aren't you..."

"Did you truly wish to retire, so soon after resuming your life?" Celestia shook her head softly. "I doubt this is true. I am touched you were willing, for my sake, but I'm not asking that of you."

"If this is another jest..." Luna vanished away.

The two strode in armor through the streets. Not Canterlot, there was no need to startle ponies with such a vision of their former ruler, or so Celestia had said. "Next step." Celestia directed to the left. "We gather a stalwart adventuring team. No adventure can truly begin without one."

Luna raised a brow at that. "Do we not already have one of those? It has two members, you and I. I will watch your back as you watch mine." She raised a hoof to the moon chestplate she wore, rapping her hoof on it. "What more could one wish for?"

"And I am glad to have you," assured Celestia, "But we will go into danger, and a few extra sets of eyes, ears, and talents can make all the difference." She slowed her walking, becoming distracted by a display. A mare was putting on a magic show for a crowd, but the mare seemed distracted at best.

"Behold as Trixie... pulls a rabbit out of her, hrg. Nevermind. Trixie is busy!" She stomped her forehooves and stormed off her own little stage, a deep scowl on her face.

Luna peered over her sister's shoulder at the sight. "Is there a reason you're watching that pony fail at entertaining?"

"She looks like a pony in deep need of what we're after." Celestia smiled her knowing smile. "Allow me a moment." She wove through the crowd that was dispersing from the aborted performance, working towards where Trixie was hiding.

Luna vanished, only to appear just beside Trixie as the magician was about to vanish into her wagon. The sudden appearance made Trixie jump, thumping her head against the top of the door. "Eek! Who, Luna?" She was turned back around to face the dark-furred intruder on her space. "Trixie is in no mood to entertain royalty right now."

Celestia came around the corner, approaching more conventionally. "What has you so down, if you would indulge us?"

Trixie glanced towards Celestia, then back at Luna, then back at Celestia. "I would rather not speak of... why are you both wearing armor? This is not the appearance I'm used to... are you here to arrest me? I've done nothing wrong!" She looked away, whispering, "today."

Celestia smiled gently at the frazzled magician. "We are not here to do that. We've stopped being princesses, surely you heard?"

Twixie raised a hoof to her chin before it came down in a loud clop. "You are part of the reason Trixie is so mad! You took away Twilight Sparkle, which made Starlight perpetually busy with the school just after we finished teaching her to not do that." She groaned loudly, sinking her her haunches. "I had exactly one really good friend, and you took them away. I hope you're happy," she acidically spat.

Luna glanced towards Celestia with silent questions on her lips, but they were not answered. Celestia approached the depressed magician instead. "Come now. Things change, but that only brings opportunity."

"The opportunity to be alone and miserable!?" She hopped back to her hooves, glaring at Celestia.

"The opportunity to make new friends." Celestia gestured at herself then Luna. "And show the world just how Great and Powerful you truly can be. I remember you, you can fight, when you want to."

"Fight? Oh no! No no no!" Trixie backed up right into her wagon. "I prefer to not do that! You are referring to the changelings, aren't you? That was terrifying! I mean, when you think about it, but Trixie was far too brave to let that stop her."

Luna's eyes lit with recognition. "Ah, you're that pony, yes, now I recall you." She raised a hoof and tapped the side of the wagon Trixie was hiding in. "If you won't fight, you can at least rent us this wagon. It would be useful for this trip."

Trixie emerged, blinking. "My wagon? No! It's mine! Anywhere I go, this wagon goes with."

"Then we will gladly take the both of you." Celestia nodded softly. "And return both in better condition than we found it. Come, we have a world to amaze, and I know you like doing that."

Trixie bounced from hoof to hoof, looking uncertain. "You will pay me?"

Luna nodded at that. "A modest stipend, and a share of whatever treasure and pay we receive ourselves."

Celestia quickly nodded in agreement. "A fair offer. Will you join us?" With a glowing horn, she pulled out a small bag of jingling coins. "I have your first week's pay right here."

Trixie's eyes began to shine. Money could do much to make her reconsider. "Well... somepony has to keep an eye on you two..."

Unknown and unseen by the royal sisters, a figure stood in a dark place. He was being judged. Before him was a staggeringly wide and tall wall with many hooks. Hanging from each hook was a large and ripe looking fruit, though some barely looked like fruit at all. Above the display was a sign that read, "DEVIL FRUIT," in bold letters.

A smaller sign was propped against the bottom of the display. "Take one," it said with a smiley face and an arrow pointing up at the fruit.

The human considered his choices with quiet contemplation. "Hmm."

Luna dove to the right, a spear soaring just over her left shoulder, the edge of its tip sliding across her hardened armor. The diamond dog that held the spear was already wheeling to keep her in striking position, but she was not alone.

A bright flash of magic exploded in his face, erupting into an image of a smirking Trixie. The dog staggered back with a cry that redoubled as Luna threw herself back into her original position, slamming into him and knocking him back to the ground, the spear sailing away. "Surrender now," she calmly advised.

Celestia held a long staff in her magic, catching an incoming blade and turning it aside with a deft twirl. A dog crept up behind her, but a sudden lash of a hoof caught that one between the eyes, knocking it back and away. "I'm not certain they know how to do that." Dotting the battlefield around them were half a dozen unmoving forms of diamond dogs knocked out by previous attempts to overpower the ponies.

Trixie buffed a hoof against her chest. "Anycreature, even them, can't help but rush towards Trixie. I accept blame for being so magnetic." She waved the same hoof, sending out an arc of sparkles at a dog that was creeping towards their wagon. "No autographs!"

Celestia could see a dog emerging from the top of the wagon, a spear clutched firmly in two hands, ready to drive it down into the unaware magician. "Trixie!" She turned to intercede when the blade she had been parrying reminded her it was there, crashing against her armor ineffectively, but sliding along with the ring of metal on metal. The sword found her flesh and she hissed, her white off-pink fur turning a darker shade rapidly.

Trixie took a step towards Celestia just as the spear drove down into the wood she had occupied a moment beforehoof. She yelped in horrified surprise, throwing a hoof at the dog as a cone of glittering streamers erupted from her extended arm, erupting into hot flames that send the dog falling over backwards.

Luna came down after a brief flight, joining the fight with Celestia against the sword-wielding leader. "You hurt my sister, now you will pay for this crime." With a darkly-glowing horn, she grabbed a fallen spear and twirled it in the air, but another joined it, and a third after that, the three spinning around her wildly. "Any last words?"

Celestia was wheeling back around, but the sword-dog was not slowing in his assault, moving to press the advantage he had gained on the former sun-princess. "Die," he grunted, moving for a deft thrust.

"Wrong answer." Luna parried the blade with two crossed spears, the third driving into the exposed wrist of the dog. "Care to try harder?"

Celestia was facing the right way with a scowl and brought down her staff in a mighty magic swing. The dog wasn't willing to go down that easily, jumping back away from the spears and staff, his sword swapped from one hand to the other, avoiding using the injured wrist.

Celestia circled to the left, Luna to the right, in sync without words in their approach of the enemy's leader. Celestia twirled her staff in the air. "Swear you will leave this place and we will let you leave."

"How can you trust him?" scoffed Luna with a frown. With her fiercely glowing horn, she deflected a sudden sword swat in her direction. "He hurt you, he pays, and there's only one kind of coin I will accept."

"Lulu, so cold." Despite her easy words, her walking had a little limp in it, her leg cut as it was. "What say you?" They were flanking the poor dog, his options narrowing rapidly.

He responded with a rough cry, suddenly charging past both of them, eyes set on Trixie.

"Did you forget your opponent?" Luna aligned all three spears and sent them flying as one. The dog's charge came to an abrupt halt, pinned to the ground with three angrily thrown weapons driven through him from the back. He coughed up blood, his lungs punctured. "I tired of this battle anyway."

The remaining dogs that could fled into the ground without delay, vacating the battlefield. Luna circled Celestia directly. "Let me see where--" She hissed at the sight of it. "He got you good."

Celestia shrank away from the prying eyes. "I'm fine," she insisted, though her steps spoke another story.

"We're done," barked Luna. "We've accomplished as we were asked, we head back to town and get that looked at. I will not lose my sister to infection just after starting this." She turned to Trixie. "Is all well over there?"

Trixie grunted and threw her head, throwing the body of a dog free of the top of her wagon. "Ugh, yes... Was Trixie not wonderful? I performed my part of that little battle admirably, if I say so myself, which I do." She grinned confidently, looking quite pleased with herself. "Nice trick with the spears." She glanced towards the skewered dog, but made no move to approach the ghastly art installation.

Celestia pointed the way back to town. "It's just as well. All that fighting builds an appetite, and we need to be paid for our efforts. Let's head back."

There were no arguments for that, just nods of agreement, but Trixie wasn't leaving immediately. She was grabbing bits off the field. Spears that were unharmed and not... currently in the middle of a person, were collected. His blade was taken. Basically anything that looked remotely valuable was stuffed into her wagon for later selling, a merry whistle on her lips as she went along. "This would be even more fun with Starlight, but this isn't... bad."

Luna threw her head towards town. "Have you gotten everything? I want us back quickly. Celly, you must watch your own flank."

"That is what I have you for." She pressed her nose gently to Luna's and things were quiet a moment with only the sound of the wagon rolling along behind the looting Trixie.

Luna drew back at last. "I am glad to be there... but still. I worry for you, as I must." She rolled her eyes. "Let's get back."

As one, they hit the road, descending towards the sleepy little town that had hired them in the first place to take care of the diamond dog menace. "I... did well, at least," ventured Luna as they went.

Celestia nodded in easy agreement. "You were a fierce goddess of the battlefield. I was quite impressed."

"Even I have to agree with that." Trixie smirked softly. "Not as magic as me, but they were getting scared to even be near you by the end."

Luna's expression lightened, trotting in almost a canter, a smile on her face. "I have been practicing. I had considered mouth-based, but that is so limiting."

Trixie shrugged softly. "No argument there. Unicorn way is the only real way." She pointed up at her horn. "Really, holding things in your mouth, only as a last resort, or to distract people from what's really going on."

"You would know much of that." Celestia nodded as she walked, favoring her unharmed legs. "A magician must specialize in directing attention where they need it to be, and away from where they need it to not be."

They talked and laughed, the adventuring day over.

"Nothing vital was struck." The medical pony's horn glowed, grabbing a big wrap of gauze. "Let's just keep it covered and you should recover just fine." He began to bandage celestia up carefully. "Pr--Celestia... what were you going? I, um..."

Celestia shook her head. "I am a free pony, and I may do as I please, good doctor. I was ridding the hills of the diamond dog menace."

He smiled faintly at that. "You chased them away? That's... good to hear, but not if it means you get hurt." He ripped the gauze sharply and affixed it tightly. "Take it easy until it stops hurting so much. Come back every few days and I'll gladly swap out the bandages."

He looked away and back, working his forehooves together. "I... hate to bring this up, but those dogs were keeping needed supplies away for so long, we... haven't been free of late."

Celestia raised an ear. "I expect no preferential treatment. What do I owe?" She surrendered the few coins asked for, setting them on a clean counter to be had. "Hopefully with them out of the way, things can return to normal. Use that money to get all the supplies you need."

"Gladly," sighed out the doctor. "By the time you come back for a changing, it should already be a bit better. The hoarders will relax when they hear the way's clear."

She smiled brightly, walking from the room a little lighter on her hooves. She had done well, and that pleased her, even if it had come with a painful price.

"Sister." Luna nodded softly as Celestia approached. "Are you well?" Her eyes were on the bandage. "I retrieved our payment." She shook a magically-held bag of coins. "They were quite pleased to hear how thorough we had been."

Trixie thrust a hoof. "I vote we celebrate! A few drinks and some good food is just the thing after a successful show."

Celestia nodded to Luna first. "I am well. I only require time at this point." Then she looked to Trixie. "And that sounds simply delightful. Luna?"

"Yes, let us enjoy the evening." She spread her wings and them came down on either her her companions, walking with them at either side. "We fought hard and well, and to celebrate only comes naturally." Her eyes lifted to the sky, where the moon was already risen. "So odd to think another is handling that other than me..."

"I know that feeling." Celestia smirked softly, having relinquished control of her own celestial body.

Author's Note

Luna can be cold hearted. Trixie joins the party, and Celestia is on the road for adventure! What could possibly go wrong? We have more party members to acquire and trouble to get into.

Welcome to the next adventure! Written for the same patron that brought us Uncommon Grounds.

Join the special community of folks who like my stories and/or get your own written here at atreon!

If you enjoyed the chapter, you should

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2 - A Bedrock to Build On

They poured into the tavern that doubled as the small community's eatery. The sound of ponies laughing and talking filled the air. Eyes turned as they came in, taking note of the two alicorns that joined them. It wasn't that they were alicorns precisely. It was hard to not recognize Celestia. They were ponies, after all. The noise dimmed a little in response as they approached the bar.

Luna clopped the top of the bar. "Food and drink and make it good!"

Trixie nodded softly. "Make my drink an apple martini. I'm in that mood."

"Of course, ma'ams. There's a free table over there if you're looking to sit?" He tossed his head at an available spot. "I'll bring it over when it's ready."

Celestia veered over to the indicated table with a soft smile. "Do pay the stallion."

"Of course." Luna extracted a few coins in her glimmering magic, paying for their order easily. "Let us take this opportunity to go over strategies and what went well, and poorly."

Trixie rolled her eyes at that. "Trixie is here to relax. You want to go over battle plans, you do that tomorrow."

Celestia set herself on a stool beside Trixie. "I find myself in agreement. I would like to think little of the battle right this moment, Sister."

Luna pointed across the table at Celestia's wounded bottom. "I would avoid future instances of that. This is for our own good."

Trixie held up a hoof. "Have you not heard of mental well being? Time to put some bandages on the inside. Now, I plan to drink and eat and enjoy our victory. Try it."

"I wasn't expecting t' see you lot." A heavy stallion suddenly sat down with them, across from Trixie, between Celestia and Luna. "Imagine my surprise."

Celestia's face lit into a smile. "Rockhoof! A pleasure. What brings you this way?"

He laughed, setting his shovel to lean against the table. "I was planning to smash a few diamond dogs across the face with me shovel, but it seems I was too slow." He suddenly swatted Luna on the shoulder. "Can't be too mad being beaten by three lovely mares eh?"

Luna quirked a soft smile. "I had not expected to see you here. 'Tis good to see a familiar face. Will you join us?"

Celestia set her hooves on the table, pressed to one another. "I had no idea you were a sell-shovel. Weren't you happy weaving tales of the past?"

Trixie glanced between her two companions. "Should I know him?"

Rockhoof laughed at that, slapping the top of the table. "The name's Rockhoof, one of the Pillars of Equestria, little mare. Good to meet you, and I'll gladly break bread with some old friends, and maybe one new one? Oh ho, here comes the food."

A bar-mare came trotting over with a tray balanced on her back. She dipped her head towards the group and turned, allowing it to slide right off onto the table as she began to carefully pour out beer for everyone there. "Your martini's on the way," she promised. "Can I... wait..." She counted the ponies. "They have one more," she called back towards the barkeep.

"Get him a drink," he barked back. "They're good."

She shrugged softly and resumed serving the table. "I'll be right back with yours." She nodded to Trixie and hurried away.

Trixie was the only one without a drink, so she reached for food instead, tearing off a chunk with her magic and setting it on her plate. "So, you use that shovel?" She inclined her head towards it.

Celestia gestured at it with a hoof. "His specialty. He could tell you stories."

"Since you asked..."

The human picked up two fruits, weighing them with soft hums of consideration.

Take one. It's what the sign said clearly.

He reached for a third and tested its heft as if unsure, but he was feeling fairly certain. Each fruit had a little plaque that said what fruit they were. He had his three he knew he wanted, but there were so many more... Why not... one more? He reached for a fourth but the floor suddenly began to give way as if whatever force had brought him there lost all ability to believe he was 'testing' four fruit at the same time.

He began to fall and grabbed blindly, barely knocking one fruit off the display before he sailed through the void, the four fruit falling with him. He would be getting no more fruit than that.

"--and that's how I saved the village," finished Rockhoof with a confident smile. "Now, ya gotta tell me, what has you two up here, doin' personal battle with these dogs?"

Luna rolled her eyes. "Do you think us incapable of it?"

"Clearly not, seeing as you just did it." He threw back a tankard of beer, his hoof through the handle and foreleg wrapped around it. "Doesn't explain the why of it, near I see."

Celestia cut her food with a knife held in her magic, her eyes on Rockhoof. "A fair question. We've retired from politics and pivoted into adventure as a way of relaxing."

"Relaxing?!" He barked a laugh at that. "Looks like you're taking a bit of a nick there from your relaxing vacation."

Luna snorted softly. "I would see that not repeated, but no, we are under no illusion that--"

"--here you are." The barmare returned, setting the martini in front of Trixie with a larger carafe set beside it. "With refills. Enjoy!"

"Thank you." Trixie hefted up her fine glass in her magic, grinning. "Finally." She sipped softly, letting out a happy sigh of apple-flavored contentment. "Not bad."

Rockhoof grabbed his shovel in his teeth and slapped it down on the table. "The way I see it, this can't stand."

Luna hiked a brow. "We've been standing fairly well."

"But I won't!" He put a hoof to his chest. "My friends going off and risking their necks? Not when I can help. Take me with you. I'll stand between you and what's trying to put holes in my friends. Really, don't those damned dogs have any scrap of propriety at all?"

"I'm afraid they lack that." Celestia sipped from her floating beer mug. "Still, I have no objection. You are a talented warrior by most measures."

Luna inclined her head. "As my sister would say, it balances things. A physical warrior is just what this 'party' lacked."

Trixie sipped from her angled glass. "Mmm, well, if you want to stand between Trixie and trouble, who is she to complain? Wait, does this mean he gets a share?" She frowned suddenly. "I'm not sure I like that part."

Rockhoof shrugged softly. "I'm not here to strike it rich. I'm more interested in keeping busy and being useful. I'll take a half-share."

Celestia twisted an ear between Rockhoof and Trixie, considering the two. "That's very generous of you. Very well, if there are no further objections?"

Trixie reached for one of the serving plates. "I suppose I can work with that. A half-share."

Luna softly huffed. "I motion he have priority for any trinkets we happen upon that may be of help to him."

Trixie shrugged. "Isn't that assumed?"

Celestia looked to Trixie with a raised brow. "I'm surprised to hear you say that, but yes. It would be best to divide things to those who would use them best, if they have practical purpose. What use would I have for an enchanted shovel, if ever we happened on one?"

Trixie lifted her shoulders. "And wing guards are of very little use to Trixie, yes. It would be equally silly to give him anything that rests on a horn."

Luna looked satisfied, popping a morsel into her mouth. "Good, just making certain. Now, eat and be merry. Tomorrow we move out of Equestria proper."

Rockhoof sat up at that. "We are?"

Celestia inclined her head towards the bar. "It's uncomfortable having everyone recognize you, but not as you are but rather as you were. We are no longer acting princesses. It would be nice to move beyond its borders. It was my thought to see who was heading beyond and accompany them."

Trixie grinned widely. "It was I that found the perfect caravan in need of guardians, and now they get four instead of three. Perhaps they will pay more, seeing as another famous pony has joined us."

Celestia inclined her head. "They may, and may not."

"We'll ask come the morrow." Luna speared a colorful morsel on a fork held in her magic. "For now, relax. Unless you have changed your mind about discussing battle strategies?"

"I would hear your tactics," agreed Rockhoof to Luna's clear surprise. "How do you fight?"

Luna began to describe the battle they had survived and won, explaining each thing she did in great detail, much to his whooping delight. "With three points pinning him to the ground, his life and ambitions both expired as one."

"I should imagine that would do it, aye." He tapped at his shovel. "Can't promise to do anything as graceful as that. I bash things or throw things more often than not. I would have caved that damn dog's head in. I look forward to when we get to fight shoulder to shoulder."

Trixie snorted suddenly. "You promised to be ahead of Trixie, so she expects little of this 'shoulder to shoulder' business."

"Aye, but Luna is not you."

"That I am not." Luna smiled gently at Rockhoof. "It will be a pleasure to vanquish evil at your side."

They talked and made merry, their group looking better than it had started the day as.

He ran from bush to bush, tail twitching behind him. There were no humans in Equestria, that would have been silly. It seemed obvious what the first fruit would be and he wore its blessing, wolf ears perked towards the sound of a village up ahead. It wasn't the first he had visited by far, but he wanted supplies and pony towns were the place to do it in.

He reared up onto two legs with a few snaps and pops, assuming a bipedal stance with a soft huff. With a rolling of new shoulders, he began to walk forward into the town, just another strange creature from beyond Equestria, hardly as confusing as a human would have been.

That didn't mean he didn't create upset. He absolutely towered over the four-legged ponies of the town and they watched him with naked caution and curiosity. Any pony on his side of the street tried to be subtle about fleeing across the street. It wasn't very subtle.

That was fine by him. Let them be scared. It avoided awkward questions. So long as he didn't cause trouble, it wouldn't raise above avoidance. Ponies were herbivorous and herd animals, and it showed. They cowered together and avoided conflict when it was an option.

He saw a lit window, the sounds of revelry coming from inside. A tavern, just the place to get some supplies." He reached for a bag that hung around his hips, checking the heft of coins within, but there weren't a lot in there. He had to get another odd job somewhere, and soon...

With a weary sigh, he turned for the tavern anyway. He had enough to get a meal for the night and maybe a comfortable place to sleep. That would be enough for the moment. In the morning, he promised himself, he could search out a little gainful employment from the scared ponies.

He threw open the swinging doors and stepped inside.

All eyes were on him, the towering wolf-person in the doorway.

"Do you think he's from Kludgetown?" asked a blue mare at a table with two alicorns and a large earth pony. "He looks like it."

The lighter colored alicorn with a bandage around her left hind leg raised a hoof. "It's impolite to muse outloud about a creature within earshot. See, now he's looking at us. You've offended him."

"What? I've performed there." Trixie buffed her chest softly. "I've been to many places as the Great and Worldly Trixie."

Author's Note

Our party is gathering! Soon they can set off to adventure. Next update: Tomorrow, so not long to wait this time. What fruit would you have reached for?

Join the special community of folks who like my stories and/or get your own written here at atreon!

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3 - The Devil Company

The barkeep coughed into a hoof nervously. "Pardon... sir... we don't have arrangements sized for you."

He was being asked to leave, indirectly. He frowned at that, already crouched over as he was. "I'll sit on the floor," he spat in a half-growl, tail lashing behind him. "I have bits."

Celestia inclined an ear when he began to speak. She looked across to Luna, who was already looking back at her. Luna was the first to react, sitting upright. "Sir, we have room for that one here." She gestured to a small empty spot that grew larger as Rockhoof slid further away to make room.

"If you're sure..." The bartender shrugged softly. "You're not on their tab."

Celestia smiled at that. "Whyever wouldn't a dear friend be on my tab? Come, it's been a while."

The wolf-person started in surprise, for surely he was no friend of Celestia, but he didn't turn down the kindness. "Yeah." The attention on him had only grown, others asking without words who this strange friend of Celestia was. "Thanks." He knew who Celestia was, of course. He knew her before coming to the strange land of Equestria... He sank down at their table, still larger than them even as he sat on the floor, though at least there he wasn't quite so hunched over to fit in the building clearly not made for him.

Rockhoof lifted his broad shoulders, though even he, large stallion that he was, was small compared to their newest tablemate. "Now that things are calming down, mind sharing how you two know each other? Or was that some speedy thinkin' on the part of the princesses here?"

Luna snorted softly. "Whatever could you be talking about? I see no princesses in this room."

"Not a one," agreed Celestia with a soft smirk. "Just a few sell-swords enjoying a good dinner with friends. It's good to see you..."

She was leaving room for him to slip in his name. "Garou." It was a word for wolf he had learned long before, and one he found fit him reasonably well as he was. "You didn't have to do that."

"We did not," agreed Luna. "But we did."

Celestia gestured to the table. "Have a bite, share your story."

Well, since she was offering... He reached and grabbed an entire fish off its plate. The poor cooked trout had barely a moment before it was vanishing down the gullet of a hungry wolf-man. "Mmm..." It was easy to forget once in a while that ponies were quality chefs. "Thank you, but why are you here? And what's up with the blue armor?"

Rockhoof shrugged. "I had avoided asking, but I had the same question. Wouldn't gold armor suit you better?"

Celestia pinkened in her cheeks at the sudden turn of the topic. "I... it was the only set I had in my size. Does it look that offputting?"

Luna snorted softly. "We can't all have armor that compliments our natural colors, Sister dear. You look quite prepared as you are."

Celestia stuck out her tongue at that. "When we finish a real job, I may consider new armor. Maybe something that guards the rump a little better."

Trixie shook her head at that. "To spend money on heavy and unglamorous armor? I think not." Her eyes lifted to Garou, studying him unabashedly. "You are a large creature." Her eyes darted. "A stallion. What is your job? Are you a laborer?"

Garou laughed at the idea. "I'm a..." He faltered. What was he? He did things, whatever people needed. He frowned a little. "I guess adventurer would be the best way?" Even if those things could involve very unadventurous things.

"What fortune," half-sang Celestia. "You've set yourself at a table of adventurers. You have an interesting air about you, where are you headed?"

Garou considered that, looking over the ponies who were enjoying themselves, but also watching him curiously. They weren't as afraid as most other ponies were of his hybrid form, but then, it was Celestia, and Trixie would never admit to being scared, he figured. "Away, from Equestria that is. No offense, but your ponies... aren't exactly welcoming."

Luna snorted softly. "My sister thinks she has created a utopia, but it is rife with close-minded souls that do not recognize the appeal of things different than themselves." She lifted an ear at him. "You are an interesting creature. We are leaving Equestria as well, as fortune would have it."

Celestia suddenly struck her hooves together with a metal clang. "Fortune indeed. Destiny, one might even say. Would you care to come with us? We're to see a trade caravan safely across the sands, and it will take us out of Equestria, just as you wanted."

Trixie suddenly clopped the table. "Stop right there! I already agreed to a half share, and already you're trying to make each share smaller! I do not approve." She crossed her arms, pouting and glaring at Garou. "He will not be taking Trixie's pay."

Luna suddenly wickedly smiled. "Then I propose a small matter to settle this." Eyes turned towards her. "A duel, a friendly sort, no blood. You--" She pointed at Trixie. "--and you--" She pointed at Garou. "--and whoever is still standing with the other having surrendered gets to decide this."

Trixie's ears pinned back on her head, eyes going wide. "I was not suggesting--"

"--I accept." Garou smirked at Trixie softly. "And I promise not to hurt her. I wouldn't want any Trixie fans to be mad at me."

Trixie blinked at that, clearly surprised. "What? You... know of Trixie then? I mean, of course you do. Who hasn't?" She laughed nervously, trying to strike an imperious pose. "V-very well... Let's settle this like adults." She hopped down from her stool. "Nocreature touch my drink or there will be a fresh Tartarus to pay."

Rockhoof put a hoof on her shoulder as she walked past. "Ye don't have to, lass."

"It's a matter of principal." She turned up her nose. "Trixie accepts your concern, but I'm going." She trotted right on by, heading outside.

Garou fell to all fours, loping after her in a much smaller form, though still larger than her. He was about the size of Luna, perhaps a bit larger than her, but close. Celestia was just behind him, the others of the table trailing along.

Rockhoof waved at the bartender. "We'll be right back."

Outside, they gathered in a line, with Garou and Trixie facing one another with about twenty feet between them. The night had progressed, with only the sparse street lighting and the glow of the tavern to see by. Trixie was pawing at the ground with an angry snort. "Are you prepared to be bested by the Great and Powerful Trixie?"

"You can go first," he suggested with a waving paw. "I'm ready."

"You had better be!" She stomped a hoof and flicked her tail, turning up her nose. "Very well. See how you take... this!" She lowered her head suddenly and a thin ray of magic burst from her horn, lancing down the street and lighting up the darkness on either side as it zipped directly for Garou.

It smashed into the air just in front of him, the point of impact illuminating a strange sheet of glass that stood before him, absorbing and scattering the magic in colorful streamers of impotent power. "Cheater!" she hissed, peeking up and seeing what became of her attack. "You're not a unicorn, why do you have magic?!"

Garou flicked his tail with a happy smile, his tongue lolling just a little with his pleasure. "Says who? Is it my turn?"

"Give me another chance," insisted Trixie, waving her forehooves. "I was just a little off on my magic. You won't stop me again." She hopped up to all fours. "This time..." She suddenly vanished.

His ear turned as he raised a paw, a new plane of force, more visible then the first, erupted from the ground just in time to deflect a new beam of energy coming from an entirely different direction. "Clever! You remember what Starlight taught you."

Trixie's eyes widened, perhaps at her attack failing, perhaps at his knowledge. "How do you know of Starlight?! How do you know what she may or may not have shown me?" She stomped a hoof, almost bouncing with building fury. "How do you even exist?! This isn't fair!"

"My turn." He ducked to the left, the barrier fading just as he did, fading entirely from sight in the space of a gust of air.

"W-what..." Trixie backed away from where he had been. "No fair! No fair no fair! I'm the unicorn. I have the magic. What are you even doing?!"

Celestia put a hoof to her chin. "I believe he is winning. Please don't harm her, she is a good pony, even if she does occasionally pick fights she should not."

Trixie scrambled backwards, turning into a full gallop, but she was suddenly driven to the ground, a weight on her back and teeth felt at the back of her neck. She screamed as a startled filly, her hooves kicking wildly. "Release me this--"

Suddenly the weight was gone. Luna's horn was glowing, plucking up the invisible wolf and drawing him closer. "You have shown your case, but I feel it needed to show that you do not reign over this group."

Rockhoof nodded at that. "It's one thing to beat the lady mare there--"

"--hey!" Trixie picked herself up from where she had been pushed into the dusty road.

"--but you've got three ponies right here with enough years between us to do a few laps around ye, laddy." He gestured to the two other Old Ponies, a good-natured smirk on his face. "Good show though."

Garou faded back into view, tail hanging limply. "That was rude. I wasn't going to hurt her."

"And you have not," agreed Luna as her magic softly pet over the head and ears of the wolf she held gently in her magic. "But the purpose of the challenge has been fulfilled." She set him down carefully. "What curious powers you have."

"Very," agreed Celestia. "And you are quite smaller now. I think I prefer this size. I confess, I am not used to having to look up very often."

Rockhoof nodded in agreement with his elder friends. "You're just the right amount of dog this way."

But he had no fingers! Garou huffed softly in annoyance. "If you like it that much more, I'll stay in this form." It was the form he used most often, really. He had to remind himself of that. Even if they hadn't brought it up, he would have reverted to four paws on his own. "You alright, Trixie?"

"Now you care?" She joined the group, magic dusting herself off as she went. "You must explain where you got that magic from, and so much of it! I saw at least three different magics there, and I bet you have more hiding."

"That's a secret," he half-sang with a silly grin. "No hard feelings, I hope? I really am a Trixie fan."

Her dour expression brightened. "Then you should feel honored to have had a chance to cross magic with the Great and Powerful Trixie. Next time, I will prove victorious, just you watch."

Celestia set a hoof right on the middle of Trixie's head. "Very good then. Let us return to our meal. Tomorrow we venture out with two new members, presuming you accept a half share?"

Garou perked an ear. "Half-share?" His eyes darted from one pony to the next. "Why only a half-share?"

Rockhoof put a hoof to his chest even as he turned to go back inside. "It's what I got. This is a mare's party, stallions get half shares and the privilege of being beside them. Just the way it goes."

He grumbled softly as he followed the rest inside. But maybe he wasn't that upset about the chance to adventure alongside these ponies.

Author's Note

Trixie attempts to duel, but...

Welcome Garou, the human that nommed at least 3 devil fruits you can see the effects of (wolf, barrier, invisibility). But what was the fourth? That's a secret. Even the commissioner has no idea! (he picked the three though)

Now what kind of hijinks will they get into? You'll find out, Sunday!

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4 - To Adventure

It was morning, even if barely so by some accounts. Trixie was collapsed in her wagon, still feeling the effects of the generous martini portions the night before. Garou wore the harness to her wagon, drawing it along in her stead, as she was quite unmoving otherwise.

Celestia was speaking to a grizzled mare. "We finished the assignment a day early. You had mentioned wanting to leave as soon as possible, and here we are."

"And you went and multiplied," she noted, eyes on Rockhoof. "What's wrong with the spellcaster?" She gestured at the source of loud snores.

Rockhoof gestured to himself. "Ye have the protection of Rockhoof, and she's just recovering from a night of celebration. She'll be dry and ready to go by the time trouble shows up. We have one other member with it." He nodded towards Garou.

"Your pet hardly c--" She scrambled away as garou went from four legs to two, expanding in size dramatically as he did so.

"Pleased to meet you." Garou smiled, perhaps just a little at having surprised her. "I will keep you safe." He fell back to all fours, returning to his more Luna-sized configuration.

Luna inclined her head towards their two new members. "So you will require no other guards. By my calculations, that should come out to 100 bits a day."

"That's... about right." She ran a fetlock over her brow before shaking her head. "You keep the most curious company, but if it keeps the caravan safe, well worth the expense. I heard what ye did for the town, good work there. I'll let the crew know we're moving then."

Celestia nodded with approval. "Very good. We'll go... tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow? Why would we do that?" She placed her hooves up to her mouth, forming a faint funnel to amplify her voice. "Hey, we're moving! Get it in gear!" The sounds of the caravan coming awake were the reply as ponies began to hurry to get themselves ready for the trip. "We've wasted enough time as it is, and time is money."

Garou tossed his head back at the still slumbering Trixie. "If we knew, maybe we wouldn't have enjoyed ourselves quite as hard."

"Perhaps not." Celestia was smiling despite it. "I have little objection in the end."

"Nor I." Luna looked towards Rockhoof. "And you?"

Rockhoof raised a hoof before moving to inspect the caravan he would be watching. "None here. The job I had been plannin' to do was all but cancelled on account of bein' too slow."

The caravan was a long string of wagons, some smaller and larger, but orbiting fairly close to an average that put them at about twice Trixie's wagon in size. Most were being drawn by one pony, but all had the harness for two ponies if they wanted, and some actually had two ponies strapping in to pull what was perhaps a larger load.

"We'll be crossing the desert," reminded the caravan mistress. "If you don't have extra drinking water loaded up on your wagon, now's a fine time to fix that."

Rockhoof nodded. "On it." He trotted off with a merry whistle, clearly ready to begin the day's work.

Celestia set a hoof on Garou's shoulder. "Thank you for bearing Trixie along for now. She is quite useful when trouble begins, but not in the state we found her this morning."

"Not a problem." He turned an ear back towards her snoring noises. "If she can sleep through whatever hangover she might have brought on herself, that's for the best. You feeling alright?"

"I'm quite well." She smirked faintly at the wolf. "Many years of rulership teaches you exactly where your limits are. We'll start moving as soon as everypony is up and ready, I imagine."

"Since I have you." His ears turned towards Celestia fully. "Do you know just how... racist your ponies can be?"

Celestia started at that, blinking. "Whatever do you mean? Kindness is one of our tenets, is it not?"

"To ponies, and things accepted as 'pony enough'." Garou shrugged lightly. "A wolf is neither of those things. Ponies are cute, but skittish. They avoided me whenever they had the chance." A force made twice as palpable when in hybrid form, but they thought he was someone's large dog sometimes when he was on all fours. "I woulda thought it was just Ponyville."

She raised a brow at that. "You've been to Ponyville then?"

Actually, he hadn't... "Heard of it," he grunted in lame deflection. "Just thought you should know."

"Well, it is improving." She put a hoof to her chest. "Twilight's school of friendship is raising a new generation of ponies alongside all manner of other creatures. Have you been? It's quite nice."

"Here we are." Rockhoof was returning, a large barrel affixed to either side. "Plenty of water fer the trip." He went for the wagon, loading them up without delay.

"Mmm..." Trixie stirred, perhaps at the noise of water barrels sliding into her wagon. "Where is...?" She blearily approached the front before a soft groan escaped her. "Be... right back." She half-fell from the wagon and staggered away.

Luna watched her go before moving to follow. "I will make sure she actually makes it to the little filly's room."

"Poor thing," sighed out Celestia as if resisting the urge to chuckle a bit at the misfortune. "She'll feel better soon."

Garou turned about in his harness, rearing up and nosing into the wagon before returning with an orange held carefully in his teeth. "Get this to her, it'll help."

Celestia's face brightened to a smile. "An excellent idea." She grabbed the fruit in her magic and squeezed it out into a glass with barely a delay. With a twinkle of magic, the remains of the orange were banished to... somewhere. "A nice glass of juice to help balance out her insides."

Garou smirked at the display. "You unicorns have a lot of tricks."

"As if you're hurtin' for any," grunted Rockhoof in a half-laugh. "The way I see it, I'm the plainest of the lot." He reached for the shovel on his back. "I'm strong, kinda the end of the tricks there, but that's alright. It's about usin' what ya got, not gettin' more of it."

Luna returned, Trixie sprawled on her back in a miserable pile. "The deed is done," she reported, carrying the spellcaster towards the wagon.

Celestia intercepted with the glass of juice. "Trixie, dear, drink this. It's a hangover cure."

"That exists?!" Trixie was suddenly quite awake. "Give it here." She reached with her hooves. Had Celestia not been still holding it in her magic, it would have easily been knocked right over. Celestia patiently moved it closer and angled it, helping pour it into Trixie's willing mouth. "Tastes like orange," she noted as she licked her lips. "When does it start to work?"

"You should get back to what you were doing." Celestia pointed to the wagon. "Time is the true cure, but that will help."

Trixie let out an unhappy groan, but was soon curled up in her wagon to sleep off the last of her hangover. "Thank you," she mumbled out.

Luna hiked a brow at Trixie, eyes on Celestia. "She is more polite when she is in pain, have you noticed?"

Celestia turned to face the direction they would be going. "It's harder to put on airs when everything is pain, but let's not use that as a conditioning tool. We're not that cruel."

"Time to move," bellowed out the leader of the caravan, getting a fresh little groan from Trixie. "One, two, one two three!" The hooves of those pulling wagons came down in unison with her call and the procession lurched into motion.

Luna inclined her head towards the wagon. "I call 'dibs' after Trixie has recovered." She yawned suddenly, covering her mouth with a hoof. "This day-based schedule is still something I am getting used to, sister dear."

"Were you not asleep last night?" Celestia gently bumped into her sister as they walked. "You seemed restful."

"Mmm, it came and went. I slept, but not all at once. I will adjust, in time, but these things do not happen all at once. As her hangover, time can be the best cure." She rested her head on Celestia's neck. "This was your idea," she petulantly noted.

"And you came with me, a fact I am eternally grateful for." Celestia smiled gently. "This wouldn't be nearly as fun without my sister at my side. You are having fun too, I do hope?"

"When I'm not worried for my sister's well being." She snorted softly, eyes closed and trusting Celestia to guide her forward. "This is not the first time I have fought."

"Long ago, I--"

"What? No." Luna brushed her with a thump. "I lived in dreams. Do you think they were absent of excitement and battle? It happened. It was the rare night I was called to a peaceful nightmare, whatever that might appear as."

"A peaceful nightmare," Celestia sighed out, trying to imagine what that would be. "Perhaps a nightmare held by Daring Do or Rainbow Dash when they thirsted for action but there was none there to be had?"

Luna groaned. "I worried you would figure it out." The two laughed gently in understanding.

Garou loped along easily along the road at the head of the procession, Rockhoof beside him. "What are they trading anyway?"

Rockhoof shrugged at that. "Your guess is as good as mine, though I did spy a few hints. Bags of spices, a few metal things? Our job to get 'em there safely, come sand worm or screamin' bandits."

"Why do they scream so much?" laughed out Garou. "Like it's in their contract."

"Since the dawn of time," agreed Rockhoof. "Think it's t' intimidate the people they're tryin' to waylay. Throw them off their game with the silence givin' way to wooping and hollering all sudden like."

"You think? Makes sense..." Garou glanced over his shoulder. "Think the drink helped, she's making less noise."

"That's good. Thanks fer being the bigger stallion about it. Yer job didn't technically include wagon hauling." He looked between Garou and the wagon as they both went along.

"No big deal," he assured. His nose danced as he took a few sniffs. "I can smell the desert coming up."

The caravan leader quirked an ear at him. "We're still a day away from the sands, pup. You have a damn fine nose to be picking up hints this far out."

Garou's cheeks warmed, realizing he had tipped his hand more than he had intended. "It's a wolf thing." That was the truth at least. "A day, good to know." He'd have a better idea of what the smell of sand from that far away smelled like. "Say, where are we headed exactly?"

"A few places." She shrugged lightly. "First a little place right in the middle of the sands." She thrust a hoof forward. "Place to refill the water tanks, and do some light trade. Then it's onwards to Kludge Town, er, Klugetown. One word, the locals are particular about that."

Rockhoof took one firm step, thumping his hoof on the road. "I hear that's not a wholesome place."

"That's putting it mildly. We won't even be walking in. We'll set up shop outside and let the traders come to us, and they will," explained the caravan leader. "A few days parked there and we move on! A caravan's barely getting the job done if it stays still for long."

Garou thoughtfully hummed as he trundled along, glancing over his shoulder at the other wagons behind his own, forming a long snake of a line back towards the town they had left. "We'll keep it safe."

"That's our job," merilly agreed Rockhoof, throwing an arm around Garou. "We'll get it done."

"Are we there yet?" Trixie's face emerged from the wagon, looking around blearily, though looking less terrible than she had started the day.

Author's Note

Adventure part 2, begin! So with the shares, we have 4 total shares, so 25 bits a share. 12.5 each to the stallions, 25 to the mares, daily. Luna pulled a fast one, demanding equal pay for them despite them only getting half shares. Not like the caravan needs to know their pay structure! They got a raise of 5 bits/day from having the stallions around.

Yay math! That's what you're here for, right?

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5 - So Much Sand

As they reached the sand the next day, the line began to slow. They would not try to cross it during the day. People began to settle down for one last night at the edge, food being prepared for everyone and the wagons brought around to form a defensive circle against the outside world.

The leader of the caravan approached Celestia. "Here's your pay for getting us this far. Get us to the oasis and you get your next pay." She tossed a heavy sack with a flick of her neck. "100 a day, as agreed. Nothing bothering us yet, but I wonder if you bein' here is tilting the odds in our favor. Won't turn that away."

Celestia lifted the bag in golden energy. "Thank you, and we'll see this through, that I assure." She walked off with the money, approaching Trixie first. "Here you are." She gave Trixie her 25 a day amount, floating along in neat little piles of 25 each, two piles.

Trixie's horn began to glow as she picked them all up, forming a ring of gold around herself. "There are perks to this new life you have shown Trixie."

Celestia nodded softly but moved on, seeking out the others. "Sister, we will be civil in sharing, yes?" she asked as she closed in on her and Garou.

Luna turned an ear towards her sister. "Of course. I'm not here for the bits specifically anyway."

"That is what I thought." She looked around a moment before spotting Rockhoof talking with a mare with grand hoof gestures. "I'll give him his share when he has a moment, but here are yours." She spit the gold evenly. Only Trixie would be getting a little extra to keep her mollified. "The next pay day is at our safe arrival at the oasis."

Garou accepted his share, tucking it away in the pouch that dangled around his midsection, just ahead of his hips. "I was wondering when you had become so mercenary, to casually cut Rockhoof and my share like that."

Luna inclined an ear at that. "And yet, you came anyway?"

"I wanted to see the truth before just deciding." He sat on his haunches, panting a little, a happy canine smile on his face. "Thank you for not disappointing."

Celestia waved to Rockhoof, seperating from who he was talking to. "I am not used to being casually judged, but this is what happens when you step down from the throne. Not that princesses aren't judged, but it's a different sort."

"What's going on over here?" Rockhoof joined their gathering, noticing Luna's coins on the ground in front of her. "Is it pay day? I'll be gettin' half of that then?" He pointed to the collection of bits.

Luna pushed over her entire stack. "Nay, good friend. We spoke only to satisfy the magician." She tossed her head towards where Trixie rested in her wagon. The money she gave was replaced by Celestia promptly, all of them having an equal share. Luna set a hoof on her little pile of coins. "We will all risk equally, why should we not profit equally as well?"

Rockhoof began collecting his portion, tucking it away quickly. "It warms me heart, lass. Now then, we should get some rest. The desert's an unkind place, I'm told, and we're officially leavin' Equestria behind us come the morrow."

Garou suddenly yawned, a wide expression helped by not having the cheeks herbivores were known to have. "Sleep sounds good. For sake of argument, we should start watches."

"Aye, fine idea." Rockhoof nodded in easy agreement. "I'm not too run down. I'll take the first watch."

Luna raised a hoof. "I will take second, it's when I normally sleep least well regardless."

Celestia spread her wings. "I can take the third, unless you would like, Garou?"

He considered before nodding. "Sure, I'll take that. You get your sleep." He sank where he was, looking ready to just pass out there. Soon he was a curled canine ball, lost to the world.

It began with screaming. It was Luna's shift, but she had noticed little until the sand at the edge of the camp suddenly burst upwards. Creatures that were like dragons, though they were smaller and without wings, came scurrying free of whatever burrows they had, many wielding crude but sharp weapons as they charged towards the encampment.

Luna extended a wing towards her companion with a wave of her magic, suddenly ending their dreams in a cruel awakening. "To arms!" She launched herself forward at the enemy with a grim expression.

Celestia scrambled to her suddenly-awake hooves. "Sister... Yes, of course." Though awake, she was not all there and she stumbled towards the trouble.

Rockhoof was far faster to stir, already charging at the attackers with his shovel balanced between his hooves confidently. "I can scream just as loud," he roared right back at them. "Merchants, get away while we mop this up."

Trixie appeared with a pop on top of her wagon. She threw her hooves wide and the area was suddenly lit with streamers and whistling streaks of fireworks that exploded all around her, lending jumping light to the battlefield and chasing away the gloom of the night.

One of the kobolds jumped onto a wagon and tore through it, falling onto the startled and screaming occupants. Garou jumped into the same hole just a moment later, a shield erupting just in time to catch the tip of the attacker's spear before it could sink into delicate pony flesh. "Your fight's right here."

Luna was diving into the thick of them, bashing one aside, grabbing their sword and tossing it with a flick of magic into the throat of another. "Why do the things we fight come in such numbers?" she complained as she stormed over the battlefield.

Rockhoof's shovel came down on one kobold that held up a spear in valiant parry. Shovel met spear, and didn't stop, coming down to flatten the poor reptile into the rough dirt. "Couldn't say, but if there was only one of them, it'd hardly be a fittin' challenge, now would it?"

Strange words reached their ears. One kobold that hadn't rushed in with the others was making grand gestures as strange symbols appeared in the air around it. Rockhoof was suddenly gone, falling into a pit that hadn't been there a moment ago, created by whatever sorcery the kobold had, and it was still weaving magic, looking towards Luna.

Celestia reached the hole and grabbed for Rockhoof with her golden magic. "I'll get you out of--"

"--Duck!" he shouted from within the pit. A blade meant for Celestia missed only by shorn bits of hair as she dived to the side away from the attack. Poor Rockhoof fell to the ground, her magic ceasing to hold him up.

Garou lunged for the kobold and grabbed the thing at its throat, tossing it right out of the cloth side of the wagon with an abrupt throw of his head, following only moments later to land on the kobold with the sound of crunching insides. "What is that?" It was only outside that he could get a view of the kobold spellcaster finishing something.

A streaking mote of flame surged forward past the still advancing kobolds, rushing around the defenders to explode just behind them, heat washing back over them as the fireball blossomed to its full deadly diameter, engulfing them in a moment of singing pain.

Luna was too far into the mass of kobolds to be hit by it. Trixie was on the edge, but a sparkling shield around herself proved she had defended just in time against the spell. Celestia was the one caught most directly, already flattened on the ground from the swing she had narrowly avoided. The kobold that had attacked her screamed in much the same pain, both of them cooked in a fiery instant.

"Why--" Luna hefted up a kobold. "--do you--" She threw it into a mass of the others as if it was a bowling ball. "--keep hurting--" The abandoned weapons around her sprang up under her wrathful control. "--my sister!" They exploded outwards, seeking the chests and throats of kobolds around her in a grotesque display of her fury.

With a crack of a whip, one lashed Luna about the neck suddenly, pulling her down with strength that belied his small frame. "Die," rattled the reptilian warrior with sharp teeth on display.

Luna thrust a hoof, the kobold glowing a moment before being thrown, but not in a random direction.

Garou leaped to catch what had been tossed towards him, grabbing the kobold on the side and driving it into the ground. The warrior struggled and squirmed, but could not dislodge the wolf as he tore and shredded mercilessly.

"I'm fine," insisted Celestia, approaching the hole with wisps of smoke wafting upwards from her singed pelt. "Let's get you out of there."

The spellcasting had never stopped, a new spell forming, familiar as flames gathered around the kobold in preparation.

With a sudden thrust of a hand, the kobold willed the flame forward, but it struck something unseen. He was suddenly in a bubble of force, Garou smirking evilly.

The flames did not wash out over the shield, instead erupting there just a precious foot in front of his snout. The dome around him was filled with flames, the fireball having nowhere to go and becoming a pressure cooker inside the small space for the brief time it existed. When the bubble was banished and the smoke allowed to escape, the spellcaster's charred form collapsed to the ground.

Hot pain lanced in his back. A kobold had jumped down on Garou from atop the closest wagon and driven a primitive spear deep into his flesh. "God... damn it." He threw his head back, a semi-transparent wall of force erupting between them, cutting the spear before it faded away just as quickly. "Rotten cheater." This still left him with a bit of a spear jutting from his back and the kobold was already ripping out a small dagger to continue the fight.

Rockhoof grabbed the edge of the hole as soon as he was high enough and scrambled out onto secure ground. "Thanks. Let's get back into things." He charged forward with shovel high, swatting kobolds aside as if they were just so much as someone's abandoned dolls needing to be put away.

Trixie appeared beside Celestia. "This is getting to be a bit much." She waved a hoof with fire streaming, forcing a few to back away and give her and Celestia some room. "How many of these things are there?!"

Celestia spread her wings wide. "Let's find out." With a sudden jump, she took off straight into the air, ascending vertically before throwing out her limbs, her entire body becoming bright, as if the sun had risen in the middle of the night, forcing anyone facing her to squint. The kobolds, unused to such harsh suddenly glare, hissed in agony, covering their eyes with arms and hands.

Their numbers could be clearly seen, her light spilling out across the encampment and some distance beyond. Their numbers were not as vast as the noise and ferocity they had been attacking with implied. There was an end in sight to their struggle.

"See how you like bein' in a hole," thundered Rockhoof as he plunged his shovel into the dirt and kept on running, creating a ditch as he went and plunging a line of the enemies into it. Garou suddenly jumped onto the ditch, another corpse behind him as he created a shield that he landed on across the line Rockhoof had made, pressing down on it. He sank down on top of the kobolds, squeezing them, but there were many of them, and the force was spread out, resulting in them being discomforted, but not slain, or even really hurt. "Not try, lad, but I don't think that's gettin' much done there."

Author's Note

What, a fight that's not over in one chapter? Inconceivable!

We have two injuries on our side, possibly 3 depending on how Rockhoof took that fall. Damn spellcasters, throwing things off. Not that Luna minds being a cheating spellweaver herself as the night angel of death. See you tomorrow!

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6 - Desert Bound

The encampment itself had grown quiet, its inhabitants withdrawn to a safe distance to watch the exchange. Celestia could see them, gathered. "That's quite enough of that." She raised her forehooves, magic gathering between them before igniting into flame. "If you like fire so much, we can play that game. You picked a fight with the sun pony, so I can only hope you put on some sunscreen before coming here."

Luna glanced up at her fiery sister, a little smirk on her face. "You have erred most gravely." A steel edge rang out against her armor and she grabbed it in her magic, yanking the weapon and its wielder forward and sending the kobold to collapse at her hooves. "If you had it in mind to run, this is now the proper time."

Garou jumped from his platform back to the surface, the platform fading away. "If she's doing what I think she's doing, everyone come here!" He erupted in size as he smoothly transitioned to his war form, fingers flexing powerfully just a moment before lashing out, claws ripping into a kobold that had strayed too close. "Everyone that isn't a lizard."

Trixie trotted over with a cocked brow as if a pitched battle were not taking place around her. "You realize you still have something... stuck there." Garou was paying the painful stick stuck in him no mind for the moment.

Rockhoof brought his shovel left and right, parrying several attacks at once, sweat across his brow and nicks across his front, but he looked largely intact overall. "Have to... cut this short." He slammed the shovel down and a ripple of a shockwave burst free, knocking the kobolds back and away, giving him a chance to hurry to Garou's side. "What is she doin' up there?"

Luna vanished, appearing beside Garou in the space available. A dome of glass snapped into being around them all in a defensive shell. "Our newest member seeks to protect us from the fury of the sun, clearly."

Flames bursting from her eyes and from between her struggling hooves licked the air, wanting so desperately to be free of her control. "Away!" She hollered making a great throwing motion. The fireball did not move with the same energy that she threw it, descending on the kobolds quickly, but nowhere near the speed of a tossed baseball. The kobolds screamed, but it was a noise of terror, not aggression. They could all see it approaching them and they began fleeing right back the way they had come.

But the fireball was not entirely free of her influence. It curved as it moved, following them and accelerating as it moved, becoming faster and faster by the moment, closing distance with the kobolds all too quickly for their comfort. They started to scatter, but it was upon them.

It burst into brilliance, as if a new sun had been created, and it was an angry sun. Flames began to rain down from it, each ray of golden light instead an orange-red lick of fire that washed over the scattering kobolds in a crescendo of agonized pain. Each ray had a specific kobold in mind, when it couldn't get two close enough to strike as one. Across the field, the number of their opponents dwindled rapidly, only the few lucky enough to make it inside their sand-obscured burrows spared the lash of Celestia's mighty attack.

Luna softly nudged Garou in the side with a raised hoof. "She would not have risked us. If she had not complete confidence in her ability, she would not have cast the spell. Still, I thank you for the thought. It was one well intended and executed."

Trixie nodded in agreement with that. "Celestia would sooner throw herself off a cliff than hurt a friend. She's what you call a 'good four shoes'." She snickered softly, though her eyes were still on Garou's injury. "That really doesn't look comfortable. Trixie is not a Trained and Licensed physician, but she feels certain of this."

Garou fell to all fours. "Good... good." He collapsed to the side, the loss of blood and the pain of the jiggling spear's tip proving just a bit too much.

Rockhoof caught the collapsing wolf, setting him down more carefully. "Aye, that's a bad one. Ya fought well, now we'll take care of ya." He hefted up the wolf onto his back and strode carefully towards the wagon that housed the medical supplies.

The ponies of the caravan were returning to their wagons, the trouble passed and the noise of battle receded. A pony with a turban and a stethoscope approached Rockhoof and his canine cargo. "Get him inside," he urged, waving to his wagon, and they all vanished from sight.

Luna glanced to Celestia. "You are looking well."

"It was a contest of heat." Celestia tipped her head towards her sister. "I believe I won."

Trixie rolled a hoof. "Are you... always fireproof? You never mentioned that before."

"It certainly doesn't come up often," admitted Celestia with a coy little smile. "Besides, I'm not 'fireproof', but my magic does run in that direction. Handling that trick's worth of heat was well within my ability." She glanced away. "Now if I had been caught entirely by surprise..."

"I would be rushing you right alongside our wolf," chided Luna with a soft huff. "I'm glad you're safe." She reached out and gently brushed a few flicks of charred bits of fur from Celestia. "I can see there was an instant of surprise at least."

Celestia's cheeks warmed. "What? No..." She raised a hoof to cough into it. "Regardless, we were the victors, and without any losses."

Trixie looked towards the medical tent. "We should perhaps wait on declaring that until they are certain Garou is well."

"Why do you care?" asked Luna with a touch of acid. "He's only worth half of you, if I recall properly."

Trixie blinked owlishly, clearly surprised at the sudden lashing. "What? He is a fan of the Great and Powerful Trixie, of course I care. It would hardly be proper for a showmare to not care when a fan is hurt." She buffed her chest lightly. "Besides, he fought well too. Trixie will even admit he did more than her, this time."

Celestia softly nudged Trixie with a hoof. "Then he should get a larger share than you for this leg of the journey?"

"I didn't say that!" she squeaked, backing away from Celestia. "Besides, that would be tricky, deciding who did what each time." She scowled at the thought of it. "Why don't we just make it even and keep it there? Much easier."

Celestia smiled gently. "What a Great and Powerful idea. You are wise beyond your years, Trixie."

"Good of you to notice." Trixie looked quite pleased with herself, a smug look on her blue face.

Luna rolled her eyes but did not argue how they had arrived at the answer the rest had already agreed on. "Are all the ponies alright?"

"They're fine," noted the caravan leader as she approached. "Thanks to you, all of you." She waved a hoof at the three defenders. "Where're the other two?" Her eyes wandered over the circle, but they were not in view. "I owe that, uh, whatever you call the wolf, a bit of thanks."

Trixie lifted a hoof towards the medical wagon. "He and Rockhoof are being seen by a physician. He had a stick right in his back last I saw."

"Just poking out of him?!" started the leader, taking a half-step away. "How awful. Hopefully he pulls through. If you see him before I do, tell him I want to talk to him. Aside that, quality work. Damage was minimal outside of some wagon cloth damage we can patch out at the next stop." She nodded and trotted away, shouting orders at some other ponies. The camp wasn't returning to sleep immediately it was very clear.

Luna nodded to Celestia. "About that. Garou seems to have considerable power, but not the training that would imply he's spent a lifetime mastering it. There are delays between one action and the next, and where you lost a few hairs in your instant of reaction, he would have been cooked on the spot had he been in the same situation."

Celestia swerved an ear at her sister, the other directed at the wagon the injured were in. "Are you implying he is not a warrior by profession then?"

Luna shrugged. "None of us are. I'm implying his powers are new to him." She raised a hoof. "He did not think to go invisible, though clearly that was a power he had, demonstrated to us when first we met him."

Trixie's face screwed up at that. "He cheated with it to best me! I remember that well. If I were more practiced with invisibility spells, I would use it all the time. But why would I do that? The world deserves to bask in my Great and Powerful presence, and they can't do that if they can't see me."

Celestia smiled with soft amusement at Trixie's thoughts. "That would be tragic indeed. It is perhaps for the best that you keep invisibility spells to only the direst of emergencies."

"Exactly," agreed Trixie, puffing out her chest. "But how does this relate to him? Perhaps he also desires to be seen?"

Luna shook her head. "He is asleep. Perhaps I could draw some answers free."

Celestia put a hoof on Luna's armored chest instantly. "He is not a pony, nor your subject. To assume he wishes you in his dreams is... questionable at best."

Luna scowled at her sister. "Ever the worrier, sister. He need not ever know."

"We would know," hissed Celestia. "Ask first, or do not. He is a friend, not a subject or enemy."

Luna rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed with the idea. "Very well, if it bothers you so deeply, Good Sister. I will remain free of his dreams. We will have to learn the old fashioned way."

Trixie softly huffed. "You do that. I am returning to sleep." She trotted back to her wagon, looking pleased with how things went.

Celestia let out a soft breath. "We should do that as well... But, come to think, I will stay awake. Garou was to take the next watch and he is in no condition. I will assume it."

"Sister, dear, this is my watch," reminded Luna. "It is not yet time for me to retire. If you wish to stay awake at my side, I will not turn aside the offer."

Celestia gently leaned against Luna. "I've had worse responsibilities."

Inside the wagon, Rockhoof sat stoically. He had cuts and nicks, but they were minor things, and he had not raised a single word in objection as the doctor's full attention went to the impaled Garou. He watched intently, but kept his mouth shut. It was a modern thing, with modern solutions. He was an old-fashioned pony. He would at least not hurt the situation by remaining quiet and letting the physician work.

The doctor was examining Garou intently. "The end is barbed... nasty work. Hmmm, didn't hit anything lethal... almost all the way through, almost... Only one way." He raised a hoof to the jutting wooden shaft and paused. "You." He turned to Rockhoof. "You look strong."

"Hm? Yes, Sir. How can I help?"

The doctor pointed at the end. "When I give the word, push it clean and straight, right through him. It'll do less damage finishing the journey than trying to make it come back out. I need it to be precise and only when I give the word. Can you do this?" He was kneading Garou gently, adjusting just faintly the insides of his patient as much as he could to ensure the path the spear would take would cause the least amount of new damage. "It will hurt him, but it's the cleanest way. Make it smooth and fast."

Author's Note

The measure of the wounds of the battle are made. One significant injury, some minor ones, and some charring of a royal posterior.

Celestia brought the sun to the party!

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7 - Amid the Dunes

Rockhoof placed a heavy hoof just over the embedded spear, ready to press down on the shaft when told to. "Ready," he noted out loud in case it wasn't clear.

"Alright, and..."

Their patient suddenly changed, becoming smooth of flesh and strange of limb. Where there had been a wolf, there was suddenly a human, surprising the both of them. Rockhoof suddenly pressed down, the spear passing right through the altered flesh with a low squelch, fresh blood running onto the cot beneath him.

The doctor cursed, quickly moving to bandage the new wound. "Alright, alright, keep up that pressure! Whatever he is, we don't want any more blood than we have to have." And whatever he was, he would try to treat them, as was a doctor's duty to do.

Outside, the formerly royal sisters watched over the camp quietly. Things were becoming quieter. Surprised ponies were settling back down, going to sleep for the time they had. It would soon enough be time to move, and they would be ready for it. Celestia had a larger wing over her smaller sister. "You are almost an entirely different pony when it becomes time to fight."

"Mmm? I am but one pony, dear sister." Luna yawned softly, a hoof raised over her snout.

"Of course, but I can scarcely recall when you used to fight so fiercely." Celestia inclined an ear at Luna. "What is your secret?"

"There is no grand design here. There was a time when we had to fight in such a way far more often, but you have buried it under many years of peaceful rule. For me... it was not that long ago." She raised her eyes to the moon she held dominion over, where her essence had been trapped for many years. "I still remember the need for such violence quite clearly. If we are truthful, I would rather not call upon it, to instead revel in the simple peace of the world you have made."

"And here you are, with me." Celestia squeezed Luna gentla with her wing. "I am thankful for that. How strange, to have the younger of the sisters so bravely defending the older like that."

Luna shoved her suddenly. "What are you implying?! We are not that different in age. Besides, were it to come to a duel--"

"--I would accept a loss if it brought a smile to your face." Celestia interrupted with a gentle smile. "Perhaps when this task is complete, we can do something more to your liking?"

Luna perked at that. "Truly? There are a few things I've had my eyes on. But only if you promise to put as much effort into them as I have for this. I want my sister to engage it with me, not simply at my side." Floating out from her side came a brochure. "Have you had much chance to watch an opera?"

Celestia's ears danced at that. "Only when I had to in the name of royal duties," she confessed. "What is the appeal? It's just a bunch of strangely painted ponies wailing at one another, isn't it?"

Luna frowned at that. "Hardly. They sing the story they are acting out. Much like Twilight and her friends are prone to doing, but in a far more stately fashion. This is one I wish to see." She bumped the brochure up against Celestia's side. "It will be performed in Manehattan for some time, so hopefully we can make one."

Celestia accepted the brochure in her magic, bringing it around before her eyes to see the painted faces of the stars of the show. She still clearly didn't see the appeal of it, but Luna's hopeful face was hard to argue with. "Very well. You've played along with my wishes for some time. After this, we'll make it a little trip, a celebration for everypony here."

Luna blinked, glancing over the camp. "All of them?!"

"The five of us," Celestia narrowed down. "The merchants will likely not be inerested anyway. Rockhoof may be interested in seeing it. Trixie and Garou are wild cards in this, but it won't hurt to invite them."

"Is that show mare capable of enjoying somepony else's performance?" asked Luna with a genuine tone. "It drives me to wonder." She stretched out suddenly, her wings going wide and brushing Celestia's aside for a moment. "My shift will end soon. Let us see that our new companion will recover."

"A good idea." They both raised up and started for the medical wagon and hopefully the good news that everyone inside was doing well. Celestia's magic glowed along the flap, pulling it aside as she poked her head in, looking without speaking, lest she interrupt anything delicate in progress.

Inside, the doctor was seated on a stool, looking Rockhoof over. The larger pony had a variety of bandages but seemed in good spirits. On a cot was some strange creature, smooth and furless save for a few bits of hair atop its head and on its face and between its uncovered legs. The thing had a great bandage over its torso, practically mummified there.

Luna poked her head in just to the side of Celestia. "What is that?" She pointed at the sleeping patient with a complete lack of subtelty.

Rockhoof lifted his shoulders softly. "Garou, so far we know, lass. He became that, maybe the blood loss? Couldn't rightly say in the end, but it is him."

"And he'll live," added the doctor before he dabbed something along one of Rockhoof's many little cuts. "And so will you, but let's try to avoid any nasty infections."

Rockhoof hissed softly at the disenfectant, but accepted the ministrations without flinching away. "Medicine has changed since last I knew it, but if it keeps a pony on their hooves, I shan't complain much."

Celestia inclined her head towards the doctor. "Thank you for taking care of our friends."

"And thank you," he retorted with a smirk as he worked. "The once-wolf there saved a friend of mine. She was ready to panic when one of those reptiles burst into her wagon like that. Whatever he is, he's alright in my book."

"And deserves to be covered." Luna took hold of a blanket in her magic, covering the poor biped's exposed bits and tucking him in gently. "There we go."

Celestia nodded softly. "He did well. We all played a part; what makes a team great." Her eyes turned to Rockhoof. "Almost done?"

"Almost done," answered the doctor, setting the dabbing cloth aside and starting a fresh bandage over the area. "Now you stop getting cut up, ya hear? Scars may make the mares titter, but there is a limit."

"Ah can't be promisin' anythin' there, Doctor." Rockhoof dipped his head and rose up when the last bandage was placed. "But thank ye all the same. I would have waited fer nature to do its thing, but I imagine this is better."

"For now--" The doctor gently nudged Rockhoof along towards his friends. "We should let him sleep. I'll be sure to let you know if anything changes."

Evicted, the three ponies wandered away from the medical wagon. Luna had an ear turned back towards it. "His shapeshifting seems to encompass more than we thought it had. What else can he become?"

"A changeling, perhaps?" mused Celestia curiously. "Not that there's anything wrong with being one, in the end, but I am curious."

Rockhoof lifted his shoulders. "A brother of the battlefield, and little more. I won't be prying' unless he cares to share on his own."

Luna softly swatted his side with a hoof. "How stoic of you! Still, you're not wrong. He's been a loyal partner on the battlefield so far, so we should respect that. Sister, I'm ready to try to get some sleep. Rockhoof, care to join me?"

He began to blush brightly. She frowned softly. "In sleeping and little else, you oaf." Luna rolled her eyes as she moved towards Trixie's wagon with an agitated twitch of her tail.

Celestia gestured with a little toss of her head. "Go on and get some sleep. I already volunteered to take the last watch. I doubt the creatures will return soon after that last match."

"Not if they have a shred of sense," agreed Rockhoof, trailing after Luna to try and get some rest.

Travel resumed, the schedule unchanged in the face of the attack. They began across the soft sands and hard rock patches of the desert. They avoided walking under the hottest portions of the day, but made good time elsewhen, pushing deeper into the dunes that held their targets.

Garou awoke, the first sign of it being the creaking of his cot under altered bulk as he rapidly assumed his wolven form, rolling right out of his bed to his four paws but not making it much further than that. The doctor gently nudged him right back where he had come from. "You were badly injured, but you'll be alright."

"I'm already fine," he argued despite not having the strength to force the matter. "How's everyone else doing?"

"They all have less full-body holes than you do," gruffly answered the doctor, pointing at the cot. "Rest and remember you only get one life, so maybe handle it with a little more care?"

"If I did that, who would be watching over you?" He rolled each limb one by one before hopping back down, looking a little more certain on his paws. "I'm going to go say hi to them. Thanks for the help."

Though displeased, the doctor didn't try to stop him again, and Garou jumped free of the wagon. He found Trixie first, hauling her wagon along. "Hey."

"Hey yourself." She looked over him and the great bandage wrapped around his torso. "I did warn you that looked painful. Feeling better then?"

"Yeah, shoulda listened." He smirked softly as he walked alongside her. "I didn't feel like sleeping the entire day away."

"If you can make those shields whenever you want, why were you stabbed?" Trixie's shoulders lifted. "They hardly seem to take concentration for you."

"I just make it look easy," grunted Garou, tail swaying behind him as he ambled along. "Just like you do."

Trixie smiled at that, understanding. "It's true, Trixie makes many things look easier than they really are. Still, hardly the way to finish a show. Let's not do that again, hmm?" She raised her brows as one. "Oh, I just remembered; Trixie negotiated for you and got them to agree to an even split. Isn't that generous of me?" She looked quite proud, waiting for adoration for her behavior.

"You're the best," laughed out Garou, remembering the others had already agreed to do it evenly. "Where are the others, by the way? Not that I mind a little Great and Powerful company, just want to know where everyone is."

Trixie tossed her head back. "I have the front of the caravan, seeing as I have to be here. Not like you were volunteering to draw Trixie's wagon along. The others are further back, looking for trouble. Turns out they haven't found any so far."

Garou snorted at that. "They're looking in the wrong place, the way I see it."

"Oh?"

"The trouble's right here." He let his tongue loll a bit. "Isn't a Trixie enough for any caravan to handle?"

"Hey!" Trixie stomped a hoof down into the sand as she marched. "Trixie is a blessing, not trouble."

"Since when were blessing not trouble?" He moved closer. "Want me to take a turn?"

"Hm?"

"Pulling the wagon."

She looked tempted a moment but shook her head. "You're still hurt. The Great and Powerful Trixie will not allow an injured fan to make themselves worse just for her." She raised a hoof to point behind herself. "In fact, why don't you hop up and let Trixie carry you for a while. You deserve a little nap."

Garou was ready to argue being fine, but thought better of it. Trixie showing enough care to pull him along meant something. He nodded quietly and hopped up, curling there in Trixie's wagon. "Thanks..."

Author's Note

In this chapter, no one dies. That's good I think! Typed from Anthrocon. Good morning!

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8 - Oasis

There were many gentle shimmers of heat that gave the impression of water across the horizon, but they kept their course, ignoring them all. They had brought enough of their own to not become desperate enough to go chasing after them, sipping gently from their supplies.

It was more of a shock when one shimmer proved to be true as they approached it. They had arrived at one of their destinations, a verdant oasis sorrounded by lush greens and reaching trees that provided some amount of cover in little circles. Sorrounding that were low clay houses of those that called the oasis home. Bright colors fluttered in the breeze and a few creatures could be seen moving from place to place.

They were approaching civization. The caravan's leader ambled towards Trixie. "You should be able to relax for half a day while we resupply and trade. I'll repeat this for your friends." Her eyes were further down the line where she could see the other guardians. "Where's the wolf, still in the medical tent?"

"He's right here." She tossed her head back at her own wagon, a slumbering wolf contained. Despite his bravado, he had been lulled to sleep by the rocking of her wagon. "I'll tell him when he wakes up."

"That works, thanks." She dipped her head and went on past Trixie to seek out the others and bark new commands at the caravan ponies as she went.

Garou sat up, tail wagging a little. "We made it."

"Halfway," agreed Trixie with a soft nod. "Feeling better?" She pulled her wagon into the little oasis town, parking it on the side of the road that led towards its center. "You look it."

"I feel it." He hopped down to his own paws and loped around both her and her wagon, only showing discomfort once when a step caused something to pull against his still fresh injury. "Hmmph. I'll put that at 80%"

Trixie slipped free of her harness. "Let's find the others. We were to be paid when we got here. Trixie remembers that part."

It wasn't too hard to find the others, still lingering with the wagon line. The merchants were setting up stalls and the locals were already coming to barter and exchange goods. Others were busy going into town to purchase supplies and refill water containers. Rockhoof nodded towards Trixie on seeing her. "Where'd you park? I'll take the barrels"

Trixie pointed the way. "On the left side of the road. She presumes things were as quiet as they seemed?"

Luna answered before him, "all was clear. And we've been given a small respite from our responsibilites."

Trixie raised a hoof and wobbled it a little. "Not that I'm one to refuse a chance to relax, but I won't be taking that one. We're still on the road, and if the merchants get attacked while we're here, we'd just as quickly end up without our jobs as if it happened anywhere else."

Garou stepped up beside her. "You have a point there. We'll keep an eye on them at least."

Celestia was there, and instead of offering direct piles of coins, she had smaller bags she floated along to each member of their company. "Well-earned. If you want to buy something in town, we'll be here for a little while."

"Half a day, right?" repeated Garou just before he snapped up his floating bag and tucked it away in one of his pouches. "Let's enjoy it."

Luna set a hoof down just beside him. "I suggest we enjoy it by going over what you can do, precisely, and how to better use it."

Garou huffed at that, looking put out. "Look, I'm still punctured."

"And if you would wish to avoid a repeat of that, practice is in order." Luna nodded with what she felt was sage wisdom. "You have an understanding of what your abilities do, but not the practice to put them to use smoothly." She turned and began walking, nudging him along the way with a wing. "We'll avoid the physically straining things for now."

Celestia softly nudged Luna as her sister passed. "Be gentle on him. It would do us no good to put him back in bed so quickly."

"No promises." Her magic suddenly wrapped around him, plucking him from the ground. "Perhaps you would be willing to tell me what it is you are, exactly. Are you a changeling?" She trotted off with her captive student, leaving the others behind.

Trixie watched her fan be carried off. "Your sister can be very persistant when she had it in mind to be."

"Like some other mares I know, come to think." She started towards the town but hesitated and turned back towards the caravan encampment as it picked up in activity. "I'll stand watch for now. Join me?"

Trixie sat beside Celestia. "I think we were had."

"Hm?"

"They gave us time off we can't really take, but will not be paid for. Clever." Trixie rolled her shoulders with a little snort. "It's clever enough I don't even feel mad this time."

Celestia raised a hoof. "If we are pressed, I'll bring up payment, but until then, at least we're not walking. Good of you to not take it personally at least." She pointed at Trixie with a wing. "I had been meaning to ask, are you happy here, with us? This is surely not what you would have been doing on your own."

"'Tis true this is certainly not a performance tour." She stuck out her tongue a little. "But I am performing. My magic commands attention and bedazzles those who rush towards Trixie. It is not, in the end, that different. I just have to be more cautious about how these audiences behave." She lifted an ear towards Celestia. "What about you? This is quite a change of scenery from ruling a country, no?"

"Yes." Celestia smiled a little, sitting up tall. "Just as I had hoped. My decisions are my own, not weighed down with the worry of countless other ponies. In comparison, protecting this caravan feels like nothing, and they don't look to me for orders or direction, just protection." She tossed her head in the direction Luna had gone. "Hopefully they have some progress in their training. I don't want our newest member being hurt like that again."

"What you get when you get a dog to do a pony's job," gently teased Trixie. "Oh, there's Rockhoof." She waved at him lightly. "All settled on the water then?"

"Loaded up," he agreed, joining them in a line. "Where's the wolf, and Luna for that matter?"

Celestia pointed the way. "Training. My sister has it in her head to help him learn his abilities, to put them to more fluid use."

"In a day?" Rockhoof raised a skeptical brow. "There's only so much you can get done that quickly. I'm more wondering what manner of creature he actually is, not to say whatever that is is a problem." He snorted loudly. "Still, curiosity's a thing."

Celestia seemed to muse over that quietly a moment. "He said that many of my little ponies would be more alarmed than curious. I don't think he was lying about that. Most are not as adventurous as we are. Still, they are good ponies, are they not?"

Rockhoof rubbed behind his head a little meekly. "Afraid I'm a little out of touch, truth be told, and I wasn't a regular pony long before now."

Trixie buffed a hoof on her chest, looking proud. "And Trixie is a globe trotting showmare. She has no fear of the unknown!"

"That isn't what I last heard." With a devious little smile, Celestia leaned in towards her. "I seem to recall hearing you used to be quite frightened of changelings."

"That was different!" she squeaked defensively. "They were not unknown. They were very well known, as bad things to be avoided." She cleared her throat softly. "They've improved since then, good for them."

"Afraid I know little of them," confessed Rockhoof. "You appear to have this well in hoof. I'll go see how Luna and Garou are doin'." He rose to his heavy hooves and trotted off in that direction. Coming around a corner, a flash of silvery magic burst out just in front of him, missing his snout by inches. It had come from Luna, who was hurling bolts at an almost dancing Garou.

The poor wolf ducked and bobbed when he wasn't throwing defensive barriers in the way, seeming to be just a half-step ahead of the assault being laid upon him. Rockhoof looked uncertain how to approach, raising a hoof to speak when Luna proved just a bit quicker, one of her bolts striking Garou in the shoulder.

He growled in discomfort and raised a paw to rub the spot. "That stings."

"Good," Luna pointed at him. "Pain can be a valuable teacher. Thankfully, in this case, that's the worst you face. I'm not trying to end you. Ah, Rockhoof. Are you here to spar as well?"

With the invitation given, Rockhoof ambled towards them. "I had thought to come and see what you were up to, but I see it now." He put a heavy hoof on Garou on the way. "You alright, lad? You took quite the nasty hit in that last fight."

"You wouldn't know it from how Luna treats me." He scowled at her as he sat on his haunches. "But I'm keeping up, mostly."

"Mostly is how we end up with spears in places we did not desire," retorted Luna. "Are you ready to proceed?"

"How is this helping?" Despite his complaint, he stood up. "Besides, bet you can't hit what you can't see." He faded from view entirely.

"Not as easily," admitted Luna. "But that just raises more questions. Why were you not so cloaked during the last battle? It would have been harder to skewer you if one did not know where to put the spear." A bright pulse washed out from her, crashing against the unseen form of Garou sneaking up on her and knocking him away, visible for the brief instant her magic met with his form.

He faded back into view with an irate wuff. "No fair... I forgot it." In the excitement of the moment, it had skipped his mind to make use of it.

"How does one forget that?" Luna turned towards him. "I know too many spells. To forget any number of them in a moment of duress, understandable, but you only have a few tricks." She tossed her head towards Rockhoof. "He would not forget what he can do, that would be hard to beleive."

Rockhoof roared with laughter at the idea. "I'm a strong pony, it's the trick I have." He pulled his shovel free from his back and swirled it in his hooves. "The day I forget that, I must have died an hour earlier, the way I see it."

Garou's fur stood up a little, his hackles raised. "What's your point."

"My point--" she reached out, booping him right on the end of his snout. "--is that you need to not forget. What you can do must be a part of you, even if they used to not be."

He shied back a little, but she seemed unmoved. "I am not a fool. You are not a wolf, and I would wager being one is new, as well as your other powers, or you would not 'forget' them."

Rockhoof shrugged his massive shoulders. "She has you there, lad. If you were long for havin' these gifts, they'd be a second nature."

"Precisely so. Do you wish to argue that?" She had him affixed with a knowing gaze, challenging him.

"I know how to be a wolf," he huffed with an agitated sway of his tail. "I was fighting just fine."

"Of this I will not argue." Luna pointed at him. "You've gotten that trick down well, but the rest..."

Author's Note

Luna calls Garou out. It's tough love! Properly day 1 of vending at Anthrocon. May it go well.

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9 - What Can You Do?

Rockhoof was to the side of Luna and Garou. "I don't mean to be pryin', but what exactly was it you turned into there, when you were all laid up?"

Luna cocked an ear. "I was curious as well, but you don't have to answer that, unless that form has other tricks you could be using to defend yourself that we should be going over."

Garou's cheeks warmed as he glanced away. "Aw damn it, everyone saw that?" Both nodded calmly and he grunted with annoyance. "It's not a power... More of a lack of power. I wasn't even expecting it, since I can go to sleep no problem." He suddenly scratched an itch with a twitching back claw over the underside of his chin. "Guess being knocked out isn't the same as going to sleep."

Rockhoof shrugged softly. "I can 'magine that's true enough. To be knocked for a loop is often without dreams."

"A moment of death," agreed Luna. "But one that can be recovered from. Very well, if that is not a useful thing, I will not pry further. You are a mercenary with us, so I will spare you personal prods, unless you decide you wish to share."

"It was all... naked and smooth," noted Rockhoof, not as stoic about forgetting what he had seen. "A curious weakness, to become so vulnerable when defeated."

Garou suddenly barked as he hopped towards Luna. "Look, we're practicing, right?" Suddenly he was more ready to work with her. "What's next?"

"Very well." She pointed to the ground. "I think I have seen that you are agile enough, and that is good, but danger can come when you are not expecting it and have not the time to leap out of the way. You have the most experience in using that canine form you clearly prefer. So I'm forbidding you from using it. Sit still and the barrage will continue. Use only your other tricks to avoid it."

Garou looked ready to say something, but was interrupted by Rockhoof patting him idly on the back. "Good luck, lad. I'm headin' inta town. Want anythin'?"

Luna tossed head head towards Garou. "A mug of water for when he is done would be good."

"Hey, ask if they have a brush for getting sand out of fur." He hadn't even realized that could be an issue until it became one.

Rockhoof looked back over his sand-coated pelt. "Huh, good idea. Let's find out." He wandered off into the oasis town to see what he could get.

An unannounced beam of silvery energy came racing at Garou and he yelped, ducking under it. Luna waved a hoof with a soft tsking noise. "No dodging."

"Warn me before you start!" His hackles were raised, claws digging into the dirt beneath them.

"Would an enemy be so kind?" A bolt raced towards him, not from Luna, but from the side. "Of this I doubt."

An unseen wall formed, causing the bolt to crash against it, illuminating its invisible form for the instant before the bolt was expended and faded away. Luna nodded, looking more satisfied. "Better." She willed a fresh bolt into being, and another. Each one came from a new angle, testing his defenses. "How strong are the walls you form?"

"Haven't had one fail yet," he grunted out, focused on making and remaking walls to block each bolt as they came at him.

"I see a weakness," half-sang Luna as she fashioned two bolts at the same instant, closing them in on Garou from opposite sides. He blocked one easily, but that left the other to zap his exposed side. "Can you not fashion more than one wall?"

He rubbed at the sore spot. "Just one, but it can be in different shapes."

"Then why do you not protect all of yourself instead of fashioning walls?" challenged Luna. "A bubble, or even a skin, would be better, would it not?" She rolled a hoof in the air. "You made a dome before, to protect us from Celestia's attack, do you not recall?"

"Huh..." Forming a dome had been a frantic moment of true fear that whatever Celestia had been doing would kill them all. "I haven't done that a lot."

"Time to learn." Four bolts appeared in cardinal directions. "Or these lessons will get more painful."

Rockhoof approached a stall with a great manner of personal supplies. Brushes, combs, mirrors, and other grooming supplies were on display. "Mmm..."

The mare that operated the stand was smiling gently, looking over Rockhoof. "You approach, smelling of a long road, pelt strewn with that same road, as if you are bringing it to me as a gift." She extended a hoof to point to a simple little box. "That is the first thing you will desire.

Rockhoof leaned forward to read the writing on the top of the box. "Sand soap?"

"It requires no water. Simply rub it in all over and roll around in the sand. It works wonders and will banish the scent that's clung to you." She brought together her forehooves in a single clop. "But then you will have sand, but we have solutions for that as well. You appear to have coarse fur." She reached with her mouth and snagged a particular brush, large and stiff. "This one will do the job. If you have a trusted friend, let them do it. They can reach more of you, and it is a simple pleasure to have a friend perform the grooming."

"Ah, yeah, that's what I was lookin' for. Do you have a sand brush for a mare?" He held up a hoof to show Trixie's height. "She's much softer than I am, I assure."

"Delicate?" She set down Rockhoof's chosen brush and went for another. "The bristles on this one are more gentle, but not by much. Some stiffness is required if you want to get in there and get the sand out. Perhaps you two could help each other out." She smirked playfully at that. "A fine way to grow closer."

His cheeks lit up at the idea of exchanging brushes with Trixie. "I'm fairly certain she's not lookin' for that from me."

"You won't know until you try." She set the brush beside the first and the box. "I have a soft perfume to keep the user fresher for a little longer. It has a subtle but pleasing scent." She gestured to a dangling bottle. "Would you like to smell it?"

He hadn't been sent to find perfume... but... "Uh, sure."

She gathered up the bottle in her hooves and bit down lightly on the bulb, causing it to spritz towards Rockhoof. He could smell it then. He had feared a powerful floral scent, but instead it was a more subtle aroma, of plantlife, but not a flower in particular, like freshly cut grass. "That's nice," he agreed with a little smile. "I'll take them." He spread his hooves to gesture over all four things the mare had helped him find.

He soon paid for his finds and tucked them away, trotting off with a satisfied expression. Who said he couldn't shop?!

It was a funny, and annoying thing. What one did in the middle of a disaster was not always easily replicated. He kept forming curved walls that could block one, or two, sometimes three, of the painful bolts she threw at him, but getting it to be perfectly round was proving harder then he would have liked.

One such painful lesson struck him right on his bandages and he howled with fresh agony, collapsing to the sand as his wall crumbled.

Luna hissed, approaching with a concerned look. "I didn't mean to hit you there. Are you alright?"

"Can we have a little break?" He sat back up, gingerly rubbing a paw over the delicate injury. "I appreciate what you're trying to do, really. This is good practice, but..."

"But you need a break, very well." Luna put a hoof on his stronger shoulder. "I understand. I would want the same were I skewered in such a fashion." There was an unspoken addition of 'which I wouldn't be' that her tone carried.

He picked up on it with a grunt. "Just a minute, then we keep going."

"As you wish." She looked far too satisfied that her ribbing had motivated him to continue. "This is for your own good. Even when our paths seperate, you will be better off being able to defend yourself."

Rockhoof found Trixie and Celestia, still parked where he left them, watching the caravan merchants trade with the town. "I come bearin' gifts," he cheerfully announced as he closed the distance.

Trixie's ears went up towards him. "Did they have something for this infernal sand?"

"Even more than that, lass." He coiled on himself, drawing out Trixie's brush. "First, this is for the sand."

With a glowing horn, she took the brush, just to have it snatched away in Celestia's golden glow. "Hey!"

Celestia ran a metal-clad hoof over the bristles. "Very nice. We can share this. What else did you find?"

"Sand soap." He pulled out the box, still closed. "You lather it on, then give a playful little roll in the sand, cleans you up, but you have to get the sand out."

Trixie tilted her head left and right. "I would not have guessed there was such a thing, but Trixie is interested." Her horn took the box and was not stopped from drawing it into her hooves. "Do you have more? You sound like it."

"I do." He pulled out the second brush, larger then the first. "This one has stiffer bristles. The mare at the stall said it would work better for me."

Celestia raised her ears. "Ah, marvelous. My mane requires stiff bristles if it is to be done correctly. I owe that mare a thanks, and you as well."

"You have more," challenged Trixie. "Did you buy the entire stand?"

"Just one more," he assured, surrendering the second brush to Celestia's magic to float beside the first. He produced the perfurme bottle. "After yer clean, this'll give a subtle scent of freshly cut grass."

Celestia leaned in, sniffing gently. "Very nice. Not my usual scent, but pleasing none the less. You have performed admirably."

"Very good." Trixie nodded softly. "Far better than some of my fans who know so little of what to get a mare. Shall we banish this sand for a time?"

Celestia pointed to the box in Trixie's hooves. "First we must become more familiar with it."

"Ah, yes." She opened the box with her magic and drew the bar free. "I vote we clean you first." She was looking towards Rockhoof. "You're the one that got it, and, if we're being honest, you need it the most."

He roared with laughter. "Oh, fine, blame the stallion for picking up a scent after a long bit of travel."

"I can and I have." She floated the bar over and started with his chest, rubbing it vigorously into his fur. "Besides, keeping your scrapes clean is important, last Trixie knew."

"Excellent point, please proceed." Celestia surrendered her place in the queue, watching Trixie work. "This seems like a workable reward for his hard efforts."

"I wasn't lookin' fer any rewards," he half-muttered, accepting the sudsing he was getting even as his cheeks darkened. It had been quite some time since he had any mare willing to casually clean him. "You know, it used to... be like this all the time. Ah can remember it, comin' home after a long day's work, and getting cleaned."

Trixie raised her brows as one. "That's right, you were a celebrity in your time. You had your own adoring fans that would pamper and labor to keep you happy. This Trixie knows well." She nodded with confident understanding. "It must be horrible, to be a Has Been. I'm not sure if I could stand it."

Celestia put a hoof to Trixie's nose, booping her casually. "He still has it, in spades. Don't be mean."

Author's Note

The last day of Anthrocon, with no missed updates, yay! In this chapter, valuable practice time, and some grooming? Who said grooming was a part of adventure?! Why don't these ponies know Least Wish, er, I mean Prestidigitation.

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10 - The Best Offense

"Thank you." Luna took the mug of water that a much cleaner Rockhoof was bringing to her. "Just when I wanted it most. Now, Garou."

"Yeah? Oh, did they have sand brushes?" He was distracted by Rockhoof much the same, tail wagging with thoughts of goodies.

"The others got those. They'll share when yer done here. What's the point if yer still practicin'?" He shrugged softly and looked to Luna. "What's next?"

She sipped softly from the mug, letting it hover beside her. "I think I have an idea what may be holding you back. I think this may be a case of vision."

"Vision?" Garou lifted a shaggy brow. "I can see just fine." His nightvision was even better as a wolf than a human. Not that it was night yet.

Luna extended a hoof towards him. "Not that manner of vision, but how you imagine your power. How a creature imagines they are performing an action has an effect on how it will come to be. This is true of magic and physical actions. Athletes can perform better, or worse, depending on what they think they are doing. Your vision is flawed."

Garou put a paw on the ground, a semi-transparent pane of glass springing up from the point. "What's wrong with it? It's fast and strong."

"And limited," completed Luna, tapping at the glass. "You imagine panes of glass, and that's what you get. Perfectly suitable in some situations, but I imagine you could be doing better. To test this theory, and dissuade that habit, I want to see some shields that are not rectangular, curved or not. She made a round gesture with her hooves. "Make a circle, not around you, but the shield itself."

A circle? He huffed softly, imagining that. He would be creating a shield, like Captain America's shield, but a force shield version thereof. Could he do that? He'd try... He sat on his haunches and frowned at the thought. "Round, round, sure..." He put down a paw. "Round." Up sprang a new sheet of power. It was not round, instead triangular, though not a rectangle either. "Hm."

"I thought so." Luna sipped from her water. "Perfect. Keep practicing until you can do properly round. You are creating force from nothing. What stops you from making any shape you want? I think nothing does but your own preconceptions. Fortunately you have us to not have those for you."

Rockhoof suddenly laughed at that. "Hard to think we know how yer powers work, Lad. I don't have the foggiest, so if you make one that's shaped like a house, I wouldn't think it much odder than what you already do."

Luna nodded in agreement. "Precisely so, though let's save the house for now. That would be a bit advanced. Once you can make it round in front of you, making it round around you won't seem so strange. Then maybe we can be... trickier. But one step at a time."

Garou got to practicing, trying to rid himself of the idea that his force had to be rectangles.

A merchant barked loudly, one of the locals was having an animated argument with one of the caravan members, the two exchanging barbs and scowling. Others were watching, attention growing with time as their noise drew a crowd.

Celestia stepped in, casually moving through the crowd of smaller creatures. "What seems to be the problem?"

"None of your business," grunted the local. "Who in the hades is that?" He hiked a thumb at the approaching former princess.

The caravan member nodded towards her. "One of our guards, quite talented. She dispatched countless attackers all at once. That was a sight to behold." He sighed softly and reached his hooves towards a box. "Are you certain you don't want it?"

"Of course I want it!" screamed the local. "But not at that price!" He had half an eye on Celestia, glancing towards her nervously. "You're overcharging by at least double."

"You need it, I have it. I would say I am charging exactly the right amount," countered the caravan merchant with a confident smile on his snout. "Let us do business as merchants, not make appeals to the hearts neither of us have."

The local drove a hoof into the sand with a muted thump. "This is not a luxury. You speak of needs, but this need is true. Creatures will die without it. I will pay the standard rate."

The caravan merchant stood up, leaning on the box of goods, eyes on the local. "You will pay what I am charging or not get it at all. This is the way of merchantry."

"I don't have it," he screamed, throwing his hands up. "What part of that are you missing?"

Celestia raised a hoof. "If I may ask, how many bits short are you?" She quirked an ear towards both of the merchants involved.

"No!" Trixie was suddenly there, emerging from the crowd. "You will not do that. Stop right there!" She charged right in front of Celestia. "You earned those bits."

"Which means they are mine to do with as I wish." Celestia set a hoof on Trixie's shoulder. "And I would rather be a little poorer than see creatures die to line my pocket."

"Finally, a pony of mercy," sighed out the local. "This wretch is demanding so much!" He gave a number and both Celestia and Trixie went wide eyed.

Even half of it was more than Celestia had made guarding them to that point. She put a hoof to her cheek. "Oh dear, that is quite the sum. Pray tell, what is this that demands such a price?"

The caravan merchant tapped at the box. "What makes it more expensive is that it needs to be kept cold. The medicine becomes bad quickly at anything above near freezing, and the enchantments to make that happen are not cheap to create or keep working, and when I sell the medicine, I have to sell the crate, unless he has his own chill box?"

"I do not," confessed the local with a weary sigh.

"So I have to sell the box too, which is part of that price." He tapped at the top of the box. "The price is perfectly reasonable."

Trixie pointed away. "This is far too rich for my blood."

The local grunted softly. "Look, we've had a bad outbreak. Over a dozen are in dire--"

"I am not interested," cut in the caravan merchant. "I am here to trade. Perhaps you have something else you could trade besides money?"

Celestia scowled. These were not the ponies she had thought she had raised to be kind and gentle. Still, she was not that merchant's princess... "If I cede my share of payment for the rest of the journey, that should be enough. You can get those funds from the caravan master."

The caravan merchant clopped his hooves. "Very good. I will accept that, assuming this one has the other half?"

The local let out a weary sigh as he dug out his coin pouch and set it down right on the crate. "Here. Choke on it."

"I will be unlikely to oblige." He nudged the crate forward over the sand and grabbed the bag in his teeth. "This is yours. Do with it as you wish."

The local looped around to start pushing the crate towards the oasis town. "Thank you." That was directed at Celestia. "A kindness as large as, well, you." He smirked good naturedly. "It is good to see there are caring souls in this world."

Trixie watched him go, the crowd dispersing as the shouting was complete. "I'm not stupid."

"Hm?"

"You didn't just give away your bits. If you run out of coins, you will turn to us and expect help." She put a hoof on her chest. "And you will get it. You gave away all of our coins, not just yours."

Celestia extended a wing, wrapping it around Trixie. "I will tell the others what I have done, and they may censure me if they think I acted poorly. I would rather face their indignation than the sad pony in the mirror had I not acted in that situation."

"I'm doing that right now." She poked Celestia with the flat of a hoof. "You big softie. We'll run into many more people that need a hoof, and we can't help them all."

"No, but I could help that one, so I did," argued Celestia. "I understand your concern, but--"

"--no buts. We're a team." She puffed out her chest. "We're as strong as the weakest link, and you just made yourself weaker."

Celestia smirked faintly at that, her estimation of Trixie's combat ability placing her closer to the weakest link. "We can always make more bits. Besides, a kindness given can turn around in the least expected places, or perhaps it will not. It was still the right thing to do, and I do not feel remorse for it."

"Figures," she sighed out, a hoof thrown up. "Twilight learned from you, didn't she? It shows! Ugh..." She stormed off in a little huff.

Luna tilted her head faintly. "Why is there a star in the center?"

He had created Captain America's shield, hovering in the air, not rooted from the ground. It had bands etched into its surface to imitate the stripes it normally would have, with an etching of the star right in the middle. He was also giggling with triumph, tongue lolling from his snout with the simple joy of success. It had no color, being essentially glass-like force.

"Don't like it?"

Rockhoof reached out, feeling along the curved shield's surface. It was round in more ways than one, concave as a shield should be. "If ye can make this, I 'magine ya could make whatever you had in mind to make."

Luna waved a hoof beneath the shield where it didn't touch the ground. "Notice too that it is not rooted. Is it just as powerful?" Rather than wait for a reply, she lowered her horn at it and gave it a little blast, and it didn't immediately fall. She ramped up the power, magic dancing and sparking where the shield refused to let it pass. She gave up fairly quickly, nodding. "A serviceable defense. See what a change of vision can achieve?"

Garou reared up onto two legs and thrust forward a paw. Though there was no band on the shield, it stuck to his foreleg easily enough, causing him to be wielding the shield. "Alright, this is actually pretty cool." He waved the shield around, taking on fighting poses with it clinging to him easily. "Not having to keep making it is a plus."

Rockhoof tilted his head. "But that won't stop you from being blasted in more than one way like she was doin' before."

"This is true," agreed Luna. "But, it is still a vital and great step forward. Let us be pleased with it. It is just as important to realize our triumphs, even as we see there is more yet to go. I declare our practice complete for today." She clopped her metal-clad hooves with finality.

"Finally." He let the shield fade away and fell back to all fours. "Hey, can I have some of that water?"

"Certainly." Luna floated her half-drained mug towards Garou.

He sank his snout into it and with loud lapping noises, made short work of the rest, quenching the powerful thirst he had worked up practicing in the heat of the desert. "Mmm, yeah, perfect... Oh, thanks Rockhoof, for getting it."

"Not a problem at all." He turned to Luna. "We're stayin' with the caravan tonight, yeah?"

"We can hardly guard them if we stayed at an inn here while the caravan remained outside the town," agreed Luna, moving back towards the caravan. "Let us return to our duties. Tomorrow perhaps we can practice more. Testing you is practice for my own magic. We both stand to win."

Author's Note

Two chapters with practice in it? It's more likely than you think. Still, he's broken his self-limitation of erecting perfectly flat planes of glass. That's a step, I think!

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11 - Welcoming Sands

The next day, trading was complete, barrels were filled with water, and food stocks were high. They were ready to go. "I would have done the same thing," proclaimed Garou as he walked alongside Celestia. "That's messed up, keeping medicine away from people."

Luna inclined her head. "Had you asked, we would have shared the burden. Far be it from me to consign somepony to death for sake of expediency on my part."

"Am I the only practical pony here?" groused Trixie with a frown, walking along with her wagon. "You could have at least tried to haggle before giving away so many coins."

Celestia suddenly flashed a nervous little smile. "I suppose I can't argue that. It's a bit late to try now."

Rockhoof lifted his shoulders. "I'm alright with my share coming from the smaller pool. We can all chip in towards it, like a team." The others voiced their agreement, leaving Trixie as the odd pony out.

"Ugh! It's just like I told you." She thrust a hoof at Celestia as she walked on the other three. "You gave away all our coins, not just some selfless sacrifice of your own. That was rude and unkind to the rest of us. Trixie demands apologies!"

Celestia reached out a wing to rest on Trixie's head. "Forgive me. I owe you something."

"Well, so long as you admit it." She let out a slow sigh. "Fine, take my share too then, we'll all have smaller portions to make up for this." Though she grumbled, the matter was closed and the topic set down.

They scattered then, moving to keep better views on different parts of the caravan as it wove across the desert. Spirits were high among the merchants, their trip already proving profitable and they hadn't even finished yet.

Everything was turning out well, until the sand shook beneath their many hooves and even a few paws. Trixie quirked an ear and stepped free of her harness. "I don't like the sound of that."

As if her speaking had summoned it, the dune just to the left of her exploded as the form of a great tatzlwyrm erupted with tentacle tongues flailing angrily, a roar on its many-toothed mouth. It was not a time that Trixie enjoyed being correct. It dove for her and she lashed out her hind hooves, kicking the wagon back just far enough to not be smashed as it crashed down on her, gulping her up and burrowing right back into the sand, leaving nothing in its wake but disturbed dunes.

Rockhoof and Garou were on the scene in an instant of rapid running. "Where is she?" barked Garou almost literally, ears turning rapidly. "I see her wagon, but no magic pony."

"She was eaten," stammered out one of the other wagon pullers. "Just... like that, gone!"

Rockhoof plunged his shovel into the sand. "Then we'll dig after her! I won't let her go like that." Without further thought or hesitation, he began digging rapidly into the sand, making a new dune just beside the forming hole as he began to sink inch after inch, trying to reach the worm and Trixie.

Celestia arrived next, peering into the deepening hole. "Good friend, I don't think you can catch up with the worm like that."

"It won't be for lack of effort," he grunted, working without pause to try and reach their lost friend.

It was cramped, a little pointy, stank like the inside of somecreature's mouth, which made sense enough, and she was in it, which was the part she most objected to. On the bright side, it had not gotten directly to the part where she was ground into Trixie-chunks for easy digestion.

She still had a chance. She just needed to be clever enough to... Oh yes! Her horn glowed as she focused on her wagon, and the stinky confines of the worm's mouth was abandoned, her form thrown between Here and There, cast out in a wild teleport.

Trixie couldn't see much, but she could feel the comforting presence of her wagon and reached for it, trying to get closer. As suddenly as it began, she spilled out, smoke wafting from her as she hit the floor of her wagon with a soft oof of a noise.

Rockhoof's head peeked up from the lip of his hole. "Was that--"

"It is," gladly reported Celestia, trotting over towards the arrived magician. "We had feared the worse."

Garou loped over, tail wagging. "Now that's a magic trick!"

"Exactly as I had planned," claimed Trixie, though her voice wavered, still recovering from her inexpert transportation. "The worm's still out there!" she suddenly thought to blurt out. "It didn't chew on Trixie, but it could smash wagons without even trying."

Luna landed with a last flap of her wings. "Then it falls on us to prevent that from happening."

Rockhoof climbed free of his hole. "How do we do that? The blasted thing moves so quickly. It's up and down before we have much of a chance to face it." He held his shovel in his teeth, looking around for something to apply it to.

Celestia's eyes lit up. "With that." She pointed at his shovel. "Good friend, if you would quickly erect a trench alongside the caravan's routes, so the worm cannot emerge too close without hitting it."

"On it!" he roared, transferring the shovel to his forelegs and running along the side of the caravan. As slowly as he had dug the hole, the trench was created as if by magic, his shovel repelling dirt away and a trench forming as he galloped down one side of the caravan and up the other side, creating a huge break in the sand that stood firm despite the walls being made of loose little particles.

Trixie half-fell from her wagon, trying to get herself back in the harness, but suddenly she was lifted from the ground, her scruff in Garou's jaws. He dropped her right back into her wagon. "I have this." He stepped into the harness and started pulling it and her along.

The entire caravan began to move a little faster, everypony involved eager to be beyond the worm's territory, wherever that began or ended. The ground shook with movement and everyone looked around for where it was coming from. There. It emerged in an explosion of sand just beyond the trench, its eyes set on Trixie's wagon as if to finish old scores. It dove without hesitation for it, or perhaps the pony laying inside of it.

The delay caused by the trench was just enough, Garou surging to two legs, becoming the massive war form he could take as he spread his hands that had been paws a moment before. A great shield appeared between them, forming in the shape of Captain's shield as he had just gotten down the day before. "Eat this!" he roared, hurling it into the worm's open and toothsome face.

The worm's gaping orifice was suddenly filled with a force shield and its motion became uncertain, confusion robbing it of purpose and its tentacles flailing, at least the two that weren't pinned inside its mouth by the shield. It's roar was strange, muffled by the shield it couldn't bite down on properly.

Celestia arrived on the seat, zapping it with painful bolts of sunny magic. "Back, away with you!"

The worm lashed out its head towards Celestia, a free tentacle snapping at her, grabbing at a hoof and yanking her closer. She collided with the shield with a low thud, but couldn't be drawn into its toothy mouth past it.

"Sister!" Luna was flying towards them with powerful flaps, things floating up towards her, grabbed semi-randomly along the way. "You'll regret that. Why does everything think it's alright to hurt my sister?!"

"I need my sleep!" suddenly bellowed a sour showmare. Trixie was pointing at the muffedly roaring worm. "Why don't you make yourself more useful and get Trixie a teacup!" Her horn flared brightly, magic striking the worm in the center of its sinuous mass. It writhed with clear discomfort, but did not become a great teacup, to Trixie's mild annoyance.

It did, however, cough up quite a collection of them and they crashed into the shield that blocked its mouth, creating a porcelain shatter zone that it couldn't cough out. She had transmuted some part of its insides into precious China. The worm twisted around, suddenly very uninterested in continuing the battle.

Luna waved her assortment of poles, daggers, and other small objects she had plucked on the way. "You better get out of here!" she shouted at the thing as the worm dove into the sands and retreated away from the ponies that could fight back far better than it had intended. With a soft huff, she descended, returning the various things she had borrowed a moment before. "We are safe now."

The caravan master nodded softly, looking in the direction the worm had gone. "Good... job. Rockhoof was it?" When he looked towards her, she smiled nervously. "If you don't mind, keep those trenches up. A valuable extra half second may be what we need."

Garou let his shield fade as he fell back to all fours, shrinking down to his usual wolf size. "Good job, Trix. Just don't use that spell on me, that looked painful."

"Exactly as Trixie had planned," she boasted falsely. She had expected a great single teacup to replace the worm, but that had worked too. "Nice shield. It's a rare delight for Trixie to have a fan that can properly support her, especially since Starlight got super busy with that infernal school of hers." She rolled her eyes even as they started to move, pulled along by Garou. "Have you considered becoming my assistant? We can travel the world, bedazzle all manner of creatures with our magic."

"I'll consider it." He smiled as only a dog could, ambling along with the wagon attached. "For now, we're already on a team, and we have a job."

"True true... I wonder if the creatures of Klugetown will enjoy a little prestidigitation to lighten up their days." She settled on the floor of her wagon, lying on her belly.

Luna looped around to get to Celestia, all her weapons returned. "Sister, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she gently assured, gesturing over herself with a wing. "It was more surprising than actually painful. It has a firm grip with its tentacles, even around the shield. We scared it away, so mission accomplished today." She offered a hoof.

Luna met it with one of her own in a loud clop of a noise. "That we did. We all lent a hoof, though I barely arrived in time to shout at it. I should like to think that helped, but I can offer no assurance."

Celestia touched her nose to Luna's. "You were ready to fight for me, I saw that. You were just fine. We can't be everywhere at once."

"That we can't," agreed Rockhoof, joining them. "I'll be keeping the trenches going for now, as the caravan master asked of me." He nodded to the sisters and moved off to continue his digging.

Luna watched him go, an ear inclined. "Why is it he can dig trenches so well, but when he has to dig a hole straight down, he's so much slower."

"Perhaps we have another vision problem, just as you were coaching our canine friend yesterday." Celestia lifted her shoulders in a little shrug. "He was born to power digging ditches and trenches. That comes naturally to him. Maybe he's just not thinking of a hole as a ditch, so it's slower."

Luna frowned at his retreating form. "If ever you spot such folly in me, dear sister, you are to take me aside and give me a thorough scolding until I am cured of that madness. I hereby give you preemptive permission to engage in Lulu."

"Aw, but I already had permission by right of being your older sister to call you Lulu whenever I pleased." Even as Luna blushed, Celestia kissed her cheek with a fond smile.

Author's Note

Dang sand worms, trying to casually eat us and/or our wagons. Rude!

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13 - What You See in the Mirror

Left glared at Right. "Obviously I am the original, you can go away now."

"That is precisely what a copy would say," scoffed Right, turning her nose up. "But Trixie's fans will not be fooled so easily."

"Yes, my fans." Left pivoted on a single hoof, the others coming down once she was facing the crowd properly. "Which one of us is the original--"

"And which one gets deleted," coldly added Right with a wicked smirk. "Trixie is confident you will make the correct decision."

The crowd murdered and plotted. Wild schemes of how to tell them apart rippled as interest grew in the mystery. Capper was not joining the whispering, instead just watching the two of them with a half-lidded stare.

Rockhoof nudged Garou before tossing his head out into the crowd. Garou looked where he was indicating and frowned. The two of them moved out without a word, leaving most of the crowd to start suggesting ideas to find the right Trixie.

Seated on an elevated balcony, Celestia, Luna, and Mayor Lefont were seated around a table. Celestia and Luna were perched on pillows, while the bipedal mayor enjoyed a chair with thick cushions for both his bottom and his arms. The back was missing from the lower portion, allowing him to easily have his tail poking through it to sway slightly as he spoke with a grin to his two guests.

"I can only imagine, being princesses, you understand how difficult it can be to govern."

Luna inclined her head towards Celestia. "I confess, mine sister did much of that labor."

"Oh, stop that." Celestia waved it away. "I would have been lost without my sister at my side. Did you know she patrols dreams?"

Lefont hiked a brow at that. "Well, have you been here before? I feel certain I've seen you in a dream or two."

Luna snorted in a very equine way. "That was an awkward pass and you are perfectly aware of it."

He raised a hand flat towards her. "I meant nothing untoward, m'lady. Please don't hold it against me that I think you're worth a few kind words."

Celestia reached a wing, brushing Luna's side. "We have spent much of our time as reigning rulers, when not we were struggling to find a moment's peace in a troubled world beforehoof. Romance... is not a thing we have had much time for."

"That is a shame," he practically sighed out, leaning forward, chin resting on a fist, elbow on the table. "And none tried to meet this need of yours?"

Luna grabbed a fine goblet from the table, floating it in her magic. "Are you proposing you are just the one to do that?"

"Well, I co--" He didn't get to finish the statement, suddenly quite wet with wine that Luna had splashed right into his face. Blinking and sputtering, he looked stunned a moment before he cracked a little smile and began to laugh. "What a fiery one. Are you certain she's not the sun and you the moon?"

Celestia hovered over a napkin, holding it in the air until he took it. "She is protective, though we shouldn't be dousing our guest in his own provided libations. Sister, that was rude."

"He was rude first," she snapped, eyeing the skunk as he dried himself. "I have little interest in being 'romanced' by somecreature I have barely met. Is this how you treat all your guests?"

"Only a few." He held up two gloved fingers close together. "The ones that catch my eye... Most are... far less pleasant souls that still serve needed functions. I speak no ill of them, but I have no interest in that fashion with many of them. Now, let's put that aside." He half-turned, gesturing out across the dusty city. "The sun is setting. Even Klugetown is a sight to see as it lowers."

Celestia turned her vision not to the town, but the sun that lowered, a wistful look on her face. "I know you can handle this," she spoke to no one at all.

Luna softly coughed into a hoof. "I feel certain she can, Sister. The sun and moon have been moving smoothly so far."

Caught in the act, Celestia sat up straight in a jerk. "Hm? Yes, of course it has... She has..." She trailed off, glancing towards Lefont.

"Please, don't allow me to interrupt," he assured with raised gloves. "Are you... speaking of your replacement?"

Celestia's ears quirked towards him. "How observant of you. Yes, that is precisely who my thoughts drifted towards... She is well trained, and a good pony beside. I know she is doing her absolute best, but that doesn't stop me from thinking about it."

"This place would fall apart without me," sighed the mayor, leaning back in his chair so it was propped on just two legs. "I can't afford to take a day off, let alone consider retiring. I know how you feel."

Luna and Celestia shared a glance, doubt clear in their expressions. Luna nodded towards him. "Yes, seeing to the needs of others is a constant activity." She examined him, eyes wandering up and down. "Tell me, what is the most trying time you've experienced?"

"What a question..." He steepled his fingers, his chair crashing forward back into a resting position. "Well, there was a time, about five or so years ago. I was put to the real test..."

The two trixies were holding the crowd captive with swirls and flares of magic. One was cutting a worried person in half as the other set things on fire just to pluck them free, unharmed and clean. Both were working as hard as they could to one up the other in increasingly grandiose displays of magic ability, and the audience was roaring with approval, egging them on to up the game, to prove which one was the 'real' Trixie.

In the crowd, Garou and Rockhoof worked their ways slowly, eyes fixed on the same point. A glint of metal, a sudden movement. A hand thrust forward in an arc and something flew free of it. It struck a forcefield that faded a moment later, and they jumped on the thrower.

The crowd never even knew something had happened, Rockhoof and Garou throwing the beaver-like woman to the ground and holding her there as they divested her of her remaining daggers. "Why were you attacking Trixie?" demanded Garou. "What did she ever do to you?"

"She's a no good show off is what she is," spat the pinned female, wriggling beneath Rockhoof's namesake that had her pinned just as surely as any boulder. "Think she can just come in here and say she's better than people that actually work fer a livin'!"

Rockhoof pressed a little harder. "She works plenty hard enough, seein' as she's a guard just like us. She works twice as hard, perfectin' her craft as a showmare. Ya think that just comes easy?"

"Seriously, I couldn't do half those tricks." Garou chuffed as he continued making a pile of deadly implements. "How many daggers are you carrying?! Were you expecting a war?"

Up on the stage, the two Trixies were heaving with effort, glaring more metaphorical daggers at their counterparts. "Well... how was... that? Magnificant, Powerful... Trixie!" She threw a hoof high. "I am clearly the original."

"You sawed a creature in half," mocked the other, rolling her eyes. "I've seen that trick before. Defying the flames is far more impressive." She turned to the crowd and stood up. "Surely I am the original!"

The crowd was cheering, but it was as much for the antics as any one of them specifically. They weren't arriving at an answer. Capper stepped forward, arms crossed. "Well, there is one other way about this?"

Both Trixies fixed their glares on him. "What way is that?" they spoke in an echo.

"You just... come back together, instead of getting rid of one. So neither of you is erased." He brought his hands together with a smart clap. "Just like that."

The Trixies shared a look, both sneering in mirror before they fell to all fours. "That idea--"

"--isn't entirely terrible. But how can Trixie trust you?"

"I am Trixie," noted the other, polishing a hoof on her chest. "If you can't trust yourself, who can your trust?"

"I raise a good point... Very well. For our final trick of the day, we will make two into one!" They rose up together, their forehooves that were close to the other clopping against their doppelganger as both bowed as one to the crowd.

"We may not survive."

"But the show must go on!"

Both had shifted from survival to showmare mode, hamming up the venture they were about to take part in.

The beaver lady was tied up firmly in coarse rope, a mighty pile of sharp implements not that far away. Rockhoof slowly shook his head. "You found all that just on her? How did ye not prick yerself just walkin' about?"

The beaver thumped her tail against the ground. "Practice and a little ingenuity. You have any idea how long it'll take to get those back where they came from? Now let me go!"

Garou smiled in a canine way, tongue lolling a little. "Why should we do that? You'll try to hurt Trixie again."

"No I won't."

Rockhoof leaned in, one brow raising. "Ya say that..."

Celestia let out a little sigh. "It remains... somewhat uncanny, watching it do that without my involvement." She turned her eyes away from the setting sun.

"Sister, dear, it is much worse when it raises, and you are aware." She gestured to where the moon had begun to rise. "Still, it is on schedule and proceeding smoothly. Twilight has this."

"She does..."

Lefont looked between the two somber mares, his hands rubbing against one another with the soft rustle of leather on leather. "Let's not end the evening on a down note. We've had a pleasant time, shared such interesting tales... I would like to think, at the least, we've found new friends in this wide world, at the least."

Celestia's face brightened, lips upturning to a smile. "We have... If I may confess, I had thought less of you to start, but, a few playful advances aside, you have been a commendable host. Thank you, but we should return."

Luna nodded softly. "The others will worry if we tarry much longer. Good luck to you, and your town. May they both find prosperity."

"A blessing of the moon," he sighed out wistfully. "I'll treasure it. Go on then, but before you do, a gift." He snapped two fingers, pointing with the same hand at the archway that several servants were moving through, each carrying a small box. "For the both of you. I do not know your tastes, so you may select the one that most speaks to you."

Luna advanced to see what had been brought, but Celestia remained where she was, eyes narrowing a little. "I appreciate the sentiment. Truly, this is the utmost of generosity, but we cannot accept."

"We can't?" asked Luna, looking over her shoulder as floating bits of jewelry floated along with her to frame her face with obvious moon pieces.

"We can't," confirmed Celestia. "People would speak, Mister Lefont. Sending two eligible females away glittering with new jewelry... We are not at that stage of a relationship that we can accept such a gift."

Luna pouted a little, but her magic returned the jewels back into their ornate little boxes. "Really, sister. We didn't have to tell anycreature where we got them from. They're quite nice. At least have a look."

"We would know." She nodded towards Lefont. "I thank you once more. Today has been a delight. Perhaps, if we stop by another time, we could meet again."

Lefont dipped his head, his hands trembling faintly, holding back whatever he was feeling in that moment. "It was a pleasure and a delight, my princesses. Go, perhaps to return again? I would enjoy that."

Author's Note

Celestia and Luna do princessly things while the rest deal with a rowdy crowd. I felt for Celestia and Lefont here, the both of them. Does that make me odd?

What will happen when Trixie recombines?

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14 - Two For One Special

They brought over the hoop, glowing with both of their magic. "One made two."

"Two made one," sang the other.

"Come together in harmony."

"Even if I'm better." That Trixie was smirking as they dropped the hoof over the both of them. The hoop struck the stage with what seemed like a deafening clap. The crowd had gone quiet, peering at the result in shocked silence.

There was but one figure on the stage, but it was not the Trixie that had started things. Both Trixies were present, put together. Garou loped up towards the stage, peering at the new creature. "Trixie, are you alright?"

"Trixie is just fine," assured the new Trixie, patting over her front, only for her hooves to trail off into the air as if unsure where to go. Where they should have hit the ground, they were only encountering air. She frowned with confusion and looked back over herself.

She had become a centaur, though her forebody was that of a pony, not a human. "Sweet Celestia! I look like Tirek!" She curled her forehooves towards herself. "At least I still have my hooves."

The magic over the crowd broke, cheering erupting and clapping starting. Planned or not, they seemed to agree that this last trick was indeed Great and Powerful.

"I told you they do that." Celestia was approaching at a light pace.

"It remains uncanny to hear my sister's name used in such a fashion." Luna was beside her, shaking her head slowly.

Rockhoof glanced between Trixie and the royal sisters before turning to the crowd. "Trixie's really glad to put on a show for you all. If you care to show her some appreciation, just toss it up there, and have a great evenin'!"

A fresh wave of hurled bits of junk and money came, raining on Trixie. Her problems seemed to fade for a moment, bathing in the cheers and adulation of her adoring crowd. "Yes, yes, Trixie has performed the impossible for you today, perhaps she will visit again to bend the rules of life itself. Until then, you will have to dream of her."

Garou and Rockhoof helped gently disperse the crowd after their offerings had been dispensed, the show ending with that final worrying trick. Celestia stepped up onto the stage, looking over Trixie with a raised brow. "Was that on purpose?"

Trixie crossed her hooves over her front, tapping her lower left forehoof. "Of course it was, as if Trixie can't control her own magic."

Luna joined Celestia, tapping her chin with a hoof. "You cut an... interesting figure."

"All the more Great and Powerful," argued Trixie with a grin before one ear sagged. "Does it really?"

Garou jumped up easily onto the stage. "It's interesting... How does it feel?"

"Busier." She reached out a forehoof and stretched out a rear leg at once. "Six limbs is two too many. How do pegasi handle this?" It seemed to strike her a moment later. "No offense."

Celestia and Luna were both looking more amused than offended.

Rockhoof shrugged from the ground, not joining the others on the stage. "I keep it simple. Four hooves, no funny horns, no wings."

Trixie began to trot away, gathering her tools as she went, her horn glowing as she cleaned up. "My performance went quite well. You can make yourself useful and help gather her earnings."

Garou made no move to gather coins, instead looking to the royal sisters. "I see you're back. He didn't bother you two, eh?"

Celestia inclined her head towards Garou. "Nothing we couldn't handle. He was looking for genuine companionship more than much else."

"If you believe that." Luna thumped into the side of her sister. "Why did you refuse to accept his kindness?"

"If you do not believe in propriety, there is the way he was examining us." Celestia strode across the stage, her magic gathering up the offerings in great batches to join a floating ball of collection that began to sort itself out into smaller piles in the air. "He would have gladly pressed more firmly, had he not been turned away as he was. To accept the jewel would have sent an unfortunate message."

"As if we could not handle one mayor." Luna rolled her eyes softly. "We've debated with the rulers of countries before."

Celestia glanced over her shoulder. "When we were also the ruler of a country. Right now, we are the guards of this caravan, and creating complications for them is precisely what we are here not to do."

"I appreciate that." The caravan mistress was just trotting up. "That was some crowd you worked up there, Trixie. I think it helped the foot traffic in the caravan. Everyone's reporting a productive day, so I thought I'd give a hat tip." She reached up to tip her hat properly. "We're planning on--." The words died, actually seeing Trixie as she emerged from the back.

"What in Tartarus happened to you?!"

Trixie's ears went up. "I'm working the kinks out of my show. Perfection is a constant effort." She buffed her chest with a hoof, playing it off as if it was no big deal. "That warning makes so much more sense now." All eyes turned towards her. "What?"

Rockhoof applied a hoof to his face. "What warnin' was this, lass?"

Trixie waved it away before her eyes fixed on one of the floating piles near Celestia. The glow around it shifted as she took hold of it with her own magic. "Ah ha, my favorite." She drew the collection of bits closer. "I was wondering if they had any normal bits."

A barrier of glass-like energy blocked the progress of the pile. "Not so fast." Garou was not even facing them, examining the other piles. "You had two Acceptable and Efficient helpers that should get their cut, and I imagine you won't say no to getting a share of what Celestia and Luna's sacrifice pulled in, so maybe we'll just share it all."

Rockhoof thumped Garou's back, the magic barrier flickering away. "Aye, we're friends, we'll just handle it evenly. Nopony, er, creature, nocreature here is slacking, I'm happy t'say."

Trixie rolled her eyes dramatically. "I'm so glad the priority here is not 'oh no, Trixie, we're here for you.' Nope, profit shares." She threw up her hooves, all four of her forehooves. Her ability to hold her front up with no supporting legs was put to the true test.

A test she failed after an instant of her back spasming with the futile effort of her strained muscles. She flopped forward and thunked against the wooden stage with a grunt. She scrambled back to her hooves, face red. "In case you were wondering, which Trixie doubts, she'll figure out how to fix this. I have this under control." she turned with a flick of her tail. "I'll be in the back, leave me whatever pittance I deserve for my own efforts."

Celestia watched Trixie go, turning to the others once the showmare had departed. "She is not entirely wrong. True, she was just as eager to collect her winning, but considering what it cost her, I feel most of us would feel similarly. We should make up for our boorish behavior."

Luna snorted loudly at that, sitting down beside Garou. "You pamper that mare. At least she's brought coins to the table, so I can appreciate that, but her combat ability is... the least of us." She smirked faintly. "I confess, comparing to the rest of us is slightly unfair, we're all amazing."

Garou barked a laugh beside her. "Luna, you're sounding like Trixie there." He leaned against her lightly. "I like it."

"You take that back!" Luna recoiled at the 'compliment', one hoof raised as she leaned away from Garou.

Rockhoof coughed softly into a hoof. "At the very least, we should figure out what we have." He reached up and prodded what looked like a rubber band launcher. "They must have liked the show, throwing such strange things up for her to have."

Celestia set the piles down. "Equestrian bits. Kuldgetown currency." She pointed to each pile in turn. "What appears to be toys and curiosities. And jewelry and similar valuables." She set her hoof down on a final pile. "Flowers and other edibles. Trixie? Would you like a treat?"

"A treat?" Trixie's head popped into view, coming up far higher than it used to. "A post-show oatmeal shake is my favorite. Do they have those here?"

Celestia shook her head. "Thankfully, nocreature threw a shake at you, but there are these." She plucked up a bouquet of flowers in her magic and floated them over to Trixie. The glow shifted as Trixie took hold of them and brought them over.

"Not quite a shake, but, mmm." She sniffed at them gently before casually chomping off the bud of one of the flowers, grinding it in her teeth with a happy expression. "This will do... Thank you." She turned to leave, a loud bonk of flesh against wood heard as she crashed her head against the roof. "Being taller is not entirely a benefit," she muttered, descending into her wagon.

Garou shook his head. "That is... very odd. Pity she didn't get any breasts." It was his turn to be the focal point of attention. "She has the... nevermind."

Rockhoof reached out a hoof, casually patting the wolf on the head. "What strange things you say at times, my canine friend."

Celestia was less dismissive, one brow raised. "I have questions, but they can wait until later. Trixie deserves our assistance. Let us clean and put away her stage, so she can rest without worry."

With a soft chorus of agreement, they got to work. The earnings were put into seperate bags, debris was cleared off and the stage mopped before folding it back up, becoming part of the wagon. As it clicked into place, her door burst open. "Who's touching my wa... oh." She perked an ear at the neatly re-assembled aside of her wagon. "Thank... you. I would have gotten to it later, but..." She lifted her shoulders. "She supposes friends are not the worst thing to have."

"You've had them before," noted Garou, tongue lolling. "You and Starlight.

Trixie recoiled at the mention. "I... We can discuss her later. For now... good night. Oh!" She reached out a hoof. "What was left for Trixie?"

Luna tapped the side of the wagon. "You currently have all of it. We decided to prioritize cleaning up and getting things settled down instead of worrying about that. We'll split everything we have evenly later."

Trixie nodded softly. "Very well... Oh." She looked towards Rockhoof and Garou. "I saw you two wandering out into the crowd. Did you find something?"

Rockhoof opened his mouth to speak, but Garou cut him off, "Nothing, just someone looked like they wanted to share something with you. We got it for you."

"Ah, thank you." She smiled softly. "I presume it's already added to the collection then. Good. Now, if you don't mind, and even if you do, I'm going to get some sleep. I suggest you all do the same. We've had a very busy day." She closed the door, a thump resounding implied she had banged herself into something on the way to bed, and her muffled curses helped confirm that.

Celestia spread her wings just to fold them back into place. "Her advice is sound, but I would ask what you did find. Your deception is not that subtle, Garou."

Garou glanced to where the beaver had been tied up. "Just a critic that was ready to try showing Trixie their displeasure in an unkind sort of way."

"That's fancy talk fer tryin' to stick her with sharp things," Rockhoof added to be clear. "We tackled her to the ground and took all her daggers away. I never saw so many one any one creature before ever."

Garou waved it away. "We all have our hobbies. For now, let's get some sleep."

Author's Note

And so ends a day of excitement! At least it was profitable if nothing else. What do you think of the Great and Powerful Trixie-Taur?

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15 - Monkey See

Trixie pulled her cart along as a book floated in front of her, her eyes sliding left and right in reading motions. "Mmm." The cart was less of a problem than usual with her slightly enhanced strength drawing it along, even if the swinging of her new arms was a new experience. "Mmm..."

"Trixie?" Garou loped up to her side, watching her and her floating book. "Got a moment?"

"I'm trying to fix this, puppy."

Garou quirked an ear back. "Puppy, really? I'm larger than any other Equestrian dog I've run into so far."

"You're not larger than Cerberus," countered Trixie with a smirk. "What's on your mind?"

"You, mostly." His tongue lolled a bit as he walked alongside her, tail wagging firmly behind him. The sand indented beneath them, walking with the caravan away from Kludgetown, as successful as that stop had been.

"It is only natural that your thoughts would drift to somepony as Great and Powerful as me." She put a hoof to her chest, a smug smile on her face. "But you'll need to be more specific than that. What about Trixie specifically has captivated your thoughts?"

"I like the look." He darted between her trotting legs, tail brushing her belly as he scurried to her other side. "It's really... cool, for lack of better word."

"Cool?" Trixie hiked a brow before her smug smile returned. "Of course it's cool, and fantastic." She nudged the book away, floating along, as she looked to Garou. "I must admit I am a little surprised. What about Trixie's Great and Powerful form pleases you most?"

"You have the pony parts." He tossed his head at her powerful equine frame. "Topped by a more biped part." His vision raised to her upper half, hooved arms swinging. "I like it, a lot. Can you show me?"

"Show you?" Trixie frowned a little. "You seem to be looking without any assistance from me. Show you what, exactly?"

"How to do it." Garou reared up on his hind legs as they became his only legs, his forepaws becoming hands and his frame swelling in size with a low growl. "I like hands." He spread out his furry fingers. "But I like speed and power, and you have both going on right there."

"Trixie has no fingers," she countered. "But she could, if she wanted them, which she does not." She turned up her nose at the idea. "Why would Trixie want those when she has magic?"

"I'm not a unicorn," Garou reminded with a feral smile. "So fingers are the next best thing."

"Pity for you." She waggled a hoof at him, her magic bringing the book back in front of her. "Trixie is not going to give lessons while we walk. That sounds twice as tiring and I'm not in the mood. Besides, you don't do unicorn magic."

"No..." He looped back around her, darting between her and the wagon. "I have my own magic, but if you show me yours, maybe I can figure it out?"

"You think?" She lifted her shoulders, both of them. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt anything. At least, nothing of mine. You may twist yourself in a pretzel, but that would be a 'you' problem for sure."

"What are you two talking about?" Luna landed lightly atop the wagon Trixie was pulling.

Trixie glared over her shoulder. "I'm pulling that, you realize."

"You seem to be doing just fine." Luna nodded softly. "And this vantage point provides a fine viewing of the caravan. Now, what were you discussing?"

Garou flexed his fingers, curling them and uncurling them in fidgets. "Just doing what you taught me. I'm trying to get better at using what I have creatively."

"Have you mastered shaping shields?"

Trixie perked an ear. "Shields come in spheres. what other shape would you make?"

Luna rolled her eyes before settling them on Garou. "Did you forget so quickly?" She pointed a metal-clad hoof at him. "He began making flat walls at first, though I think we've broken that limitation at least?"

Thrusting a furry arm forward, his hand clenched at a grip that wasn't there, but became there a moment later, his shield popping into being out from that grip to form a stout curved shield. "I didn't forget." He raised the shield up and it folded downwards, growing over his form in a shell of metal-colored magic. "All around, just like you showed."

"That is better," complimented Luna, bringing her hooves together in a soft polite clapping. "But you can do so much more. Now, tell me what trick you are attempting to learn from Trixie?"

Trixie inclined her head and horn towards her floating book. "He's trying to learn Trixie's tricks. I should be offended." She didn't sound very offended. "He wants to replicate my latest Great and Powerful show."

Luna blinked softly. "He wants to... that?" She wobbled a hoof at Trixie's bizarre anatomy.

"With hands." His shield vanished, revealing his spread fingers, claws curled dangerously. "The power and stability of a wolf and the hands of a..."

"A..." Luna leaned forward from her perch. "You certainly do like your secrets, do you not. Go on. The hands of a...?"

"It's not important." He fell to all fours, loping away as a smaller wolf instead of the considerable wolfman he was a moment prior.

Trixie quirked an ear back at Luna. "You chased him away quite well. Did he bother you?"

"I am genuinely curious... So he wants to become as you are now?" Luna jumped down from the wagon, landing beside Trixie and walking with her. "Go ahead and teach him, if you can. I would see the full reach of his abilities, when he abandons the idea that there are limits to it. When we find what he cannot do, then we will know the measure of it."

Trixie reached up with her hoof to adjust her hat. "You know, there are times when having these extra arms comes in handy." She seemed entirely ignorant of the pun she slung. "I will show him as best I can, but he's not a unicorn, so Trixie promises nothing."

"Your attempt is all I ask." Luna gently touched side to side with Trixie. "Thank you." She spread her wings and took to the air, soaring over the caravan line.

"Busy day."

Trixie jumped in place. Celestia had come up on her seemingly out of nowhere. "Trixie is very popular today, it seems." She paused a moment, raising a hoof to her chin. "Just the way it should be. How can I help you?"

"I was more thinking of how I could help you." Celestia looked Trixie's form top to bottom and back. "Are you alright? I don't want you to think I don't care. If I can help..."

Trixie opened her mouth, a scowl on her face and ready to tell Celestia off, but it faltered. "I... thank you. That's..." She smirked suddenly. "I can see how you remained princess for so long. You know how to put ponies at ease."

"It is a learned talent." Celestia smiled gently. "But I am speaking plainly. I will help in any way I can, Trixie. I do not want any companion of mine, which you are, to suffer, especially if I can do something about it."

"Thank... you." Trixie coughed into a hoof softly. "Also, I am going to point out that it's strange being at eye level with you."

Celestia snorted softly, her smile growing. "It is a delight to meet your vision, but only if that is what you want. You know, I do remember when you were in my school."

Trixie's cheeks lit up bright red. "You do?! You... ignored me the entire time. When I left, I thought you couldn't have cared less."

"Oh... no... No no... Never that." She glanced away, walking in silence for a few moments. "There was a time," she resumed quietly. "There was a time I was considering approaching you, much like I had Twilight..."

Trixie's ears perked right up, her hat dancing with the movement. "Really?! You are joking to Trixie now and it is a cruel joke."

"I would never." Celestia held a hoof over her heart. "You had... the spark, but there was so much in the way, and your magic--"

"Was Great and Powerful even then!" she crooned, straightening her stance.

"Was energetic, but undisciplined," corrected Celestia. "It also lacked refinement and scope. You were, and are, a talented stage magician, but you had no interest in expanding your abilities beyond that. Magic classes bored you."

Trixie sagged a bit as she walked. "They were boring. You made them. Why were they so boring?"

"There is no shortcut to learning magic." A timid smile creeped back onto Celestia's face. "I did what I could, and it wasn't enough to reach you, and for that I am very sorry. But... now you work more advanced magic, and it... it reminds me. Who reached you, Trixie Lulamoon? Who succeeded where I failed?"

Quiet grew between them, Trixie looking forward and fidgeting her hooves as she walked. Having extra hooves meant she could worry them together and still walk at full speed. "I... made a friend. A... dear... stupid... friend... I left her behind, stupid Starlight."

"Starlight? Starlight Glimmer?" She leaned in a little. "What happened?"

"Nothing!" Trixie stomped her lower left hoof in the sand as she marched. "We just had... a disagreement, is all. This is why Trixie has time to come waste her time with you and your sister and turn herself into a freak and--" She suddenly stopped, something settling over her cloaked back.

Celestia had wrapped a wing gently over Trixie and stepped in, holding the showmare gently. "I am so sorry, but saying that will solve nothing. When you are ready, please, come talk to me. I will gladly listen to all you have to say and lend what hoof I may." She smiled radiantly. "I would ask, what did you learn? You seem far more ready to perform magic beyond stage illusions."

"I am both Great and Powerful. It just took some personal tutelage from a Stupid but Helpful friend to show her how to reach even further." She thrust a hoof high, a grin on her face. "Once I got transformations and teleportation down, it felt like I could learn any magic I wanted with a little work."

"Transformations?!" Celestia took a step away, her wings folding. "Teleportation? Those are both high level and frighteningly dangerous techniques I would never teach to--"

Trixie thrust one of her extra hooves at Celestia. "And this is why you lost me. Starlight, for all her flaws, trusted me to get it right, or fail on my own terms. She... She had faith in me..." She shook her head suddenly, shaking away the tears before they could finish emerging. "She gave me the tools and I began to use them. Now I can weave magic as never before." She threw her new hooves wide.

"Most impressive... But I see sometimes it doesn't quite go according to plan."

"Yes... of course... When you try New and Bold things, sometimes things will go awry, but you learn from your mistakes, and become Greater and Powerfuller." She snorted softly, tail lashing at the air. "Tell me you've never messed up your own magic ever and I will know you are a liar."

"I never said that." Celestia looked around conspiratorially. "If you agree to whisper your secrets to me, I can share a few choice tidbits in return. It's only fair."

Oh the magnificent smile that spread on Trixie's face. Celestia-grade gossip? Even she was tempted as such things. "Perhaps I will take you up on that. Tomorrow. Today, we walk, then I have a wolf to try to show unicorn tricks to. Who knows, perhaps he will surprise both of us and figure it out. I'll at least try."

"At least that," she gently agreed, a hint of regret in her voice.

Author's Note

Onwards, woo! Kludgetown is behind us, adventure is ahead of us!

Written early for patreons who got this ahead of everyone else. Want to get early chapters, or even your own story written? atreon!

Join my discord to chat!

16 - What You're Paid For

"No, No..." Trixie shook her head, arms crossed. Her lower belly was on the ground, but her unusual form allowed her to still have a decent vantage despite it, watching Garou. "No."

Garou sat up, his limbs resetting from the strange other sizes they had assumed in his latest attempt. "Just copying your magic isn't working," he admitted, licking over his lips. His tail was not wagging.

"Why would it? Unicorn magic is for unicorns, which you are not." She pointed a hoof at him accusingly. "So, instead, tell me about your magic."

"My magic?" His ears danced, considering that. "That's... hard to describe. I ate a fruit and it lets me turn into a wolf."

Trixie raised a brow. "You weren't born with it? We suspected that... Trixie would want to know more of this magical fruit, but that's for another day. Now, you say 'turn into a wolf', but you have turned into not-a-wolf."

"Well, yeah, a wolf..."

Trixie rolled her eyes at his trailing word. "Keeping Great and Powerful secrets from Trixie is amusing but getting old, on with it."

"A wolf creature instead of a full wolf." Garou nodded, satisfied with his phrasing. "I am a creature normally, just not a wolf."

Trixie smugly smiled, pleased with how much she had teased from Garou. "Alright, so you imagine yourself taking on more, or less, canine features, yes?"

"Basically." His eyes turned over the sleepy camp. It was past dinner time. Most of the smarter ponies had already curled up where it was warm and were passed out. They were as close to alone as one could be in the situation. "More wolf or less wolf."

Trixie put her hooves together and slowly brought them apart. "What about, instead of imagining it like some kind of slide that only goes left or right for your whole body at the same time, you seperated it out." She tapped him with the flat of a new hoof on his shoulder. "Put one there." She rose up to nudge him with a lower hoof against his paw. "Another there. One back by your tail, where your legs meet. Your... hips, yes, that's the word."

"You forgot it?" He was looking back over the points she had indicated. "Huh..."

"It's late and I'm tired," she huffed with a little frown. "My advice remains. You are still becoming a wolf, just in different proportions and at different speeds." She clopped her upper hooves together. "The trickiest part is ending up with six limbs. Perhaps you have to... imagine growing instead of just changing?"

"Growing..." His thought went not to extra arms, instead to something relatively simpler. He heard Trixie make a little noise, but his thoughts were elsewhere, at least until one of her hooves gently landed on his head. He cracked open an eye. "Hello?"

"Can you not feel that?" she asked with a raised brow.

That was when he did, one tail brushing against the other, then both going rigid. He looked over his shoulder at the two limbs, where one familiar thing had become two aliens. "Ah... wow." A big smile suddenly spread. "That means I can grow new parts."

Trixie nodded with all the sage wisdom she assumed she had. "Which means, with practice, you can have your extra limbs. The way Trixie sees it, you can have all the wolf parts you desire. You could imitate the cerberus perhaps, though I'm not sure what an extra head would do for you. Would you argue with yourself?"

"You did that," he spat, the two tails starting to sway in curious countermotion.

"That was a performance," she scoffed. "I had that entire thing planned out. It was only the... finale that went awry." She curled a hoof to her upper chest. "Trixie would not be so daft, even a copy of Trixie, to interrupt a show with a petty squabble for life and death."

"Right..." One tail. Just one. He closed his eyes a moment, trying to return to normal wolf dimensions. Less distracted, he felt the change happen. "Weird." But it worked. His tail was back to its singular glory, wagging with his newfound optimism. "You're the best, Trixie."

"I know this." She waved a hoof idly. "But, please, go right on reminding me."

A sudden shriek split the darkness. Both turned towards the center of the caravan, but the trouble was taking place on the opposite end. A big bruiser of a creature, feline in nature, held a massive two-pawed curved blade dangerously close to a merchant mare he had just rudely awakened. "Scream like that again," he said in smooth tones. "And it may be the last. Now, begin--"

A bright bolt of magic struck the ground between them, another landing just beside it. He danced away as Luna came in with an angry snort. "Just one? 'Tis hardly a battle. Do you wish to flee now while the chance remains?"

Celestia landed to the left of Luna, her wings remaining out as if to make herself look bigger than she already was. "This caravan is under our protection."

"Oh ho ho ho," chorted the tall cat, holding the blade in one hand almost as easily as two despite its size. "You hear that, fellas? We got a real fight on our paws."

Eyes lit the darkness as figures scrambled forward from the darkness into the light of the campfire. Roughly a dozen rushed towards the princesses, but many others were hurrying for still rousing caravan members, greed shining in those eyes. They were not all cats, their leader apparently equal opportunity when it came to brigandry.

One of them was even a pony, the only one that hesitated on approaching Celestia and Luna. "What are you two doing here?" he hissed in a stage whisper so loud none could fail to hear it.

It was hardly time for a proper chat. Celestia folded her wings even as she erected a shield to deflect an incoming blade, dancing away. "It would seem we have a proper battle to attend."

"Verily." Luna drew a heavy flail and began to swing it with a rhythmic twirling of her head. "I've been wanting to test this." A badger of a creature stepped in range of it, holding a dagger in either hand, and she advanced in kind, swinging the unyielding metal bludgeon in terrifying arcs. The flail's spiked head glowed with her magic, enhanced and aimed with her power.

Suddenly it was too bright. Luna was forced to closed her eyes with a hiss, as was everyone else, save Celestia who lifted into the sky in the moment of reprieve. "Sister!" grumbled Luna, blinking her eyes and trying to find the creature she had been swinging at.

There he was, far too close to her. Pain lanced as he shoved one of his daggers into the joints of her armor. Ignoring the warm wetness, she grabbed him in her magic and gave him a mighty hurl, tossing him back into the darkness he had emerged from. "Damn it all..."

"Prepare to be dazzled." Trixie had arrived, flinging colors and fireworks at assailants as she galloped at full speed on her other four hooves. "Behold and tremble!" When several of them closed on her, she turned sharply and fled in a new direction. "Too much beholding!" Those were not words she was used to saying together.

Garou stumbled, aborting his most recent attempt to manipulate his gift in favor of being serious. With a sudden leap, he was in the middle of the same crowd that had menaced Trixie. They were just as eager to batter and stab him as anything else, but when they moved to do so, they struck a suddenly-there dome that sprang into being, protecting Garou from them.

A riot of colors washed over the group as Trixie rejoined the struggle. One of the attackers suddenly wailed as he caught fire from one of the fireworks. He fled wildly, removed from the conflict. Garou took the moment of distraction to rise up, becoming the great two-legged wolfman, a new shield snapping into being, hovering just next to his right arm, right at the correct position for him to slam it into the face of one of his attackers in a smooth punch. "Not just for defense," he growled out as the creature staggered back, blood dripping from his bashed nose.

Garou was suddenly glowing, wrenched back a precious inch to avoid a great blade slicing through the space he had been occupying. "Watch yourself," called Trixie as she wheeled and ran, a constant annoyance in the side of the enemies.

"Thanks." He threw his arm out, the shield somehow 'thrown', clanging against the blade and fading away as it bounced off, another appearing where it began.

The big bear he was facing passed the blade from one paw to the other. "Little tricks won't get me." He grabbed his blade with both hands, chopping with direct force. Garou caught it with his shield, but was being pressed back and down by the sheer force of it. Even as a great werewolf, the bear was strong, both of their arms straining, trying to win the contest.

Unfortunately, the bear had a lot more backup, and they were closing in to take advantage of the exposed position Garou was in.

His hand-held shield had become a liability. A mouse with a bandanna sneered, lunging with a twisted blade. Garou bashed it with his left hand even as it cut into his flesh with its sharp edge. An arc of red trailed in the motion even as he surged backwards, letting the blade fall, nicking his other arm. A low growling grunt masked the shout he more wished to do. A loud crack sounded as a crossbow bolt slammed into what had been an invisible dome he had formed, snapping it into pieces on impact and preventing it from completing its course into his soft body.

Luna had recovered from the first misstep, smashing one beaver on the foot as her magic wrenched a sword from the hands of another to send it flying at a third. She flinched. An arrow had just struck her, catching her in a leg. "They have archers," she called as she threw her flail entirely, the thing wreathed in her magic in a deadly twirling object. It crashed into someone's head, bringing them to the ground with barely a noise, consciousness beaten from them instantly.

Celestia spread her hooves as light gathered between them. "I see them." They saw her just as well, possibly more so with her glowing magic. Arrows began to be fired at her, angry deadly bees emerging from the gloom of the night. She released her power, a column of light evaporating the incoming arrows, but not aimed properly to strike the ones that fired them. "On it," she awkwardly assured, trying to correct her aim.

"Teacup!" cried Trixie, a bolt of eldritch magic wrapping around one of the larger attackers. She could feel his fortitude struggling, trying to remain itself despite her efforts, but she kept pressing. "Tea... cup!" The creature had turned towards her, charging at her galloping form. With an unhealthy snap, his legs became the bottom of the cup and shattered just as quickly. He tumbled forward with an agonized cry, short lived as it was, the rest of him becoming porcelain along the way, shattering on the ground in countless pieces.

"Ha, yes, take--" A magic bolt suddenly came from nowhere, grabbing her upper and lower halves and giving a cruel pull. "Nnno. You will... not outmagic... Trixie." Her horn glowed brightly, trying to counteract the magic. "She is too... Great... and..." With a suddenly loud noise of wet flesh splitting, her body gave way, ripped in two.

At least the merchants were getting away, fleeing in abject panic into the darkness. Garou was pinned beneath his own shield dome, countless bloodthirsty faces leering at him, waiting for the chance to finish what they had begun.

Author's Note

This fight is not going according to plan. Who wrote this script?!

Written early for patreons who got this ahead of everyone else. Want to get early chapters, or even your own story written? atreon!

Join my discord to chat!

17 - Prestidigitation

Garou surged to his feet, pushing his shield up and forward, crashing it against the crowd in a sudden reminder that it was uncomfortably hard and was not pleasant to have smashed against various body parts. With a great roar, he let the shield fade away in time to catch a creature on the shoulder with sharp claws, a new shield coming into being on his arm in a more mobile version.

An equine bellow seemed to reply to him as combatants fell away into darkness. There was the pillar, Rockhoof, charging with his trusty shovel and dropping people into a ditch he was digging with supernatural speed. It surely was not killing them, not even removing them from the battle, but it was a welcome reprieve nonetheless.

A creature came in towards Rockhoof from the back and side away from the ditch, but the old fighter wasn't entirely focused on the ditch, swinging about with such force that the blade being brought to bear was caught and smashed in an instant with a loud ring of metal on metal. "What the--" was all the creature got out before Rockhoof smashed him with the flat of the shovel, knocking him bodily into the ditch.

"'Tis good to see you." A heap of forms suddenly propelled in all directions like an especially lazy grenade as luna roused from beneath them, her form shaking despite the resolved look in her eyes. "Shall we put an end to this?"

"M'lady, yer lookin' especially haggard. Please, retire from the field." Rockhoof ducked under a sword swing even as he spoke, ramming his entire body against the great bear and sending the creature back a few inches only to come back at him the moment there was room. "I'll press the fight."

Emerging from the darkness, Garou's fingers closed in around the bear's throat from behind, clenching cruelly. His sharp claws dug into sensitive flesh even as the crushing began. The bear flailed, trying to reach him in great lumbering motions, but the blood ran and it ran freely. His motions were already slowing with every desperate lunge. At the apex of one such swing, Garou shoved him in time with the motion, sending him sprawling, bleeding, and dying. "This is a mess."

"Wolf Friend." Rockhoof didn't have much time for other words, bringing his shovel around to dash a dagger intended for his side.

"Glad to be here." Garou seemed to understand the sentiment. "Where's Celestia and Trixie?" He grabbed a small long-tailed creature and threw them forward like a projectile, sending a wave of assailants tumbling to the ground with his form following shortly behind to press the advantage.

Removed from them, a figure watched the attack without motion. Arms crossed, they tapped a foot slowly with just a small measure of a scowl. "They should have won by now, or lost quickly enough... At least that magician is out of the way."

Their helmet suddenly tilted forward dangerously, covering their eyes completely and smashing into their snout. "As if the Great--"

"--and powerful," continued a second, though identical, voice as the figure's hands were grabbed in magic.

"Trixie!" they finished together, gesturing for the figure to collapse.

But it did not, instead roaring with a strange flare of not-unicorn magic, their grips faltering and allowing the attacker to spin on them, hurling the helmet away. "How?!" Then they could see, two Trixies. "I ripped you in half."

One Trixie raised a hoof. "You ripped us in two."

"Easy mistake to make," allowed the other with a soft nod. "But still a mistake."

"And mistakes get punished," finished the first. "As if you could out-magic us!"

Their horns glowed with unified purpose as fireworks erupted from seemingly nowhere, launching at the spell-caster that had attacked them so cruelly not long before.

The figure danced back, swatting one of the larger fireworks out of the way, but many more were behind it, detonating in bursts of flame and color. Some of their armor burnt away in the flashes, revealing a female figure. "Damnable witch," she hissed, thrusting a glowing hand forward as one of the Trixies were shoved back several feet in a burst of the same color.

"You'll need to do better than that," chastised the other. "Have a seat and we'll show you how it's done." A chair came flying out of the darkness, crashing into the mysterious creature-magician's head.

She staggered forward even as she waved it away, sending fragments flying at the standing Trixie. "Do me a favor and die."

"We don't do--" Trixie leaped to the right, dodging the sharp shards of wood that peppered the space she had just been occupying.

"--requests." The other Trixie was behind the creature. How she had gotten there was unclear, magic seemed likely. She was straddling an immense rocket, the fuse already almost burnt down. "It was an honor working beside the Great and Powerful Trixie."

"I could say the same." The other Trixie saluted with a wry smirk just in time for neither to see anything anymore. The firework exploded and all became colors and fire. The screech of the she-magician they were cooking could be dimly heard, but even that was brief compared to the full fireworks show that had been condensed into one great rocket.

Trixie blinked the spots from her eyes as things settled. The enemy magician was a lump on the ground, collapsed and still on fire. There was no second Trixie in sight. "You were the best," allowed the remaining Trixie. "But there's only room for one Trixie in the world." She trotted forward to inspect what was left of their enemy.

Even further from the action, a heavy form touched the ground with grace despite her size. "What do you want?" demanded Celestia in firm tones. "Are you the one--" A flying dagger interrupted her question and she ducked to the left as her magic pushed it to the right. it flew past her, but by the time she looked back, the creature she had spotted was already gone. "This isn't right..."

A small chinchilla of a creature jumped for Rockhoof, only to crash into an unseen wall, sliding to the ground. This was good, as Rockhoof was heaving for breath, needing that moment of solitude that Garou's shield had allowed. Garou had no shield for the time, doing his best getting out of the way of sharp weapons and returning with his claws. Nicks and red lines showed that he wasn't always successful at this.

A great horn sounded in the distance and the attackers began to withdraw in unison, any that were capable of moving. Garou felt a momentary urge to chase them, but thought better of it, instead slumping forward as he became entirely a wolf on all fours. "Are you alright?"

"I'll be fine, lad." Rockhoof tapped at the invisible wall. "Mind letting this down?"

Luna was holding a badger-person over her head. "Tell us everything you know and I will be gentle!"

"I don't know nothin'!" he swore, limbs flailing. "Just doin' my job!"

"Your job of bandit--" She staggered to the side, her vision swimming and head swaying a little. her magic dimmed, threatening to drop the badger. "That is... no employment... Speak!"

Rockhoof quickly closed with Luna, the wall banished. "Easy there, lass. I'll take the interrogation over from here."

Garou loped at his side. "Yeah, we can handle this. You look like shit."

Luna blinked at Garou, stunned at his course language. "I look like... what?" The distraction was enough to ruin her concentration, dropping the badger with a soft thud as he slapped into the ground. Rockhoof was on him an instant later, pinning him with a heavy hoof. "Thank you." Luna turned away slowly. "Where is mine sister?"

Garou snarled at the fallen form before looking to Luna. "We don't know, but she was already in the air, so she's probably alright."

"And Trixie," added Rockhoof. "That was a fiercer fight than I expected. I'd hate to think our showmare got hurt."

"Destiny forfend," bitterly grunted Luna, collapsing onto her belly. "I am... more tired than I first reckoned."

"Rest." Garou moved just beside her. "I'll keep watch. They're gone now."

"Yes... watch." Luna collapsed fully, eyes drifting closed. "Find my sister..." She didn't get out any more words than that, consciousness fleeing her ravaged form.

"Is it safe?" called out a voice. A few of the merchants were starting to drift back towards the wagons. "Are they gone?"

Rockhoof looked around. "Besides their fallen and battered, we appear to be rid of them." He snorted softly. "That was far more intense than I would have liked... Too much for casual bandits." He stomped over around to be in front of Garou. "Ye doin't need that many creatures to waylay a random pony caravan. Half as much woulda still been too many!"

"It's been... a lot of trouble." Garou half-closed his eyes. "I think Luna has the right idea."

"Don't go slipping off on me." He nudged the wolf with the flat of a hoof. "I'll fetch the doctor fer the both of ya. Ya fought well today."

"Where's Trixie, and Celestia?" reminded Garou. "Neither of us are dying. Find them."

"We are touched by your concern." Trixie came trotting towards them with a smug smile on her face. "I was just taking care of their spellcaster. Their defeat seems to have reminded the rest just how outmatched they were by the Great and Pow--"

"Yer back to normal," cut in Rockhoof, taking note of Trixie's returned equine form. "Good on ya, lass, but how'd ya manage it?"

"Don't interrupt!" Trixie thumped him lightly with a hoof, not that it seemed to phase the larger stallion much. "They tried to rip me into two parts, so I let them. Then they had to face two Trixies and their fate was sealed."

Rockhoof glanced left and right. "I only see one Trixie."

"We finished the magic trick, finally." Trixie rolled a hoof softly. "If I have to explain each trick as I do it, it takes the magic out of it. Where's Celestia? She's the only one I don't see here."

"You're still here." The caravan master was returning, glancing around and swerving around fallen forms. "Though it looks like you took almost as much abuse as they did. This has been the most hazardous trip I've ever taken! Now, don't get me wrong, I appreciate your work. You've kept our things safe and our people are in one piece, so thank you... but this really can't be a coincidence."

They glanced away and looked towards Luna's sleeping form. "I thought having the princesses around would be a morale boost, but I think it's attracting trouble..."

Garou sat up despite his aching everything. "Are we being fired?"

"Honorably, for what it matters." The Caravan master drew out a pouch of jingling coin. "Take it. You earned it, but I think we may be safer without you around."

Trixie scowled at the bag even as her magic grabbed it. "Are you so certain all the trouble will go away the moment we're gone?"

"No, but a pony can hope, and my hunches usually aren't so far off." They brushed at a shoulder with a hoof. "Again, sorry. But half of you are more magic than ten average ponies. I feel sure you can get back to a town, probably faster without us around. Speaking of that, where's Celestia?"

The named former-monarch gently touched down with a frown. Garou nodded towards her with a chuff. "There you are. Good to see you safe, but we've been fired."

Trixie pocketed the pouch of coins. "At least being paid wasn't withheld. Welcome back. Your sister could use your company."

"Lulu?" Celestia forgot everything else she had on her mind, hurrying over to Luna's side to offer what aid she could to her battered and bleeding sibling. "I'm so sorry..."

The doctor approached with a serious expression. "I'll not send ya forward without seeing to you first. Let's keep your insides on the inside where they belong."

Author's Note

What exactly is going on around here? The caravan decides to cut ties with our heroes. A wise move?

Written early for patreons who got this ahead of everyone else. Want to get early chapters, or even your own story written? atreon!

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18 - Picking a New Direction

The caravan rolled away from them, leaving them there in the middle of nowhere. If they had been average ponies, it would have been a cruel fate. Rockhoof sighed softly. "You would think getting fired would eventually stop stinging."

"Hey." Garou touched his nose to Rockhoof's seated haunches. "We didn't do anything wrong. They paid us and everything. The job ended early, we weren't fired, the way I see it."

Trixie inclined her head faintly. "That is an interesting way of looking at it. Well, where are we going next?" She turned to look at Celestia and Luna, the latter of which dotted with bandages from the fierce exchange. "We still have our choice of prisoners to question."

Celestia gestured with a wing at a few fallen forms that were just as bandaged. "It was a cruel measure in part that they did not transport them, but I understand it... At least they tended to the worst of the injuries. I think they are now as abandoned as we are, with less options. If we offer a hoof of help, they may yet realize it."

Luna nodded softly. "They do not fly, and we eliminated the ones with magic. The ones left are fighters and brigands, and there is nothing to waylay that will get them to safety faster. You--" She reached out and began prodding one of the forms on the ground. "Are you awake?"

"Mmmf." A paw went up to wave Luna away. "Come back tomorrow."

Luna scowled at that. "If you would rather we leave you here to stir tomorrow, that is a possibility."

Garou was suddenly between them, darting over on four fast paws. "Easy there. Hey, bud, wake up. We don't want to stay here, and we bet you don't want to either if you think about it."

"Hm?" He pushed up, rolling over so he was propped up facing them. "Wait... You ain't the boss."

Celestia smiled thinly. "We are not your employer, this is true. Can you tell us about them?"

"Ain't sayin' nothin'." The fallen cat looked around slowly at the field that had no merchants, just other miserable fellows he knew as peers, laying about. "Why are we even breathin'?"

Garou chuffed in a canine way. "Because that's not how we do things. What, you wanted us to go around cutting everyone's throat?"

The casual mention of such callous violence made the princesses blanch, Luna less so, but both shared hesitation at the idea. Trixie squinted instead. "You're not worth my time."

Rockhoof shook his head softly. "Not how I prefer to handle things. You're all stuck out here. We don't mind lending a hoof, if you want it?"

"What's the catch?" His tail lashed as he continued sitting up, moving from laying on his side to being perched on his rump, crossing his legs. "You have all the cards. And we were trying to murder you yesterday. What creature in their right mind just forgets that the next day?"

Garou gestured back to the ponies he traveled with. "Ponies." Celestia smiled at that while Luna rolled her eyes but didn't argue the point.

Rockhoof lifted his shoulders. "If we could get a few answers along the way, that'd be nice, hm? Your allies already left you for dead. The way it seems, you owe them nothing at all."

"Yer right there." He pulled out a dagger, causing everyone to tense, but he only raised it to his teeth to begin picking at something. "We're all fired."

Rockhoof suddenly burst into laughter. "Well, then we have a bond. We were also terminated. Seems that battle ended everyone's employment." He pointed at the brigand. "What say we go find better jobs. I think we're all done with this life anyway."

Luna nodded firmly. "There are better ways to spend one's life than throwing it recklessly at the behest of others. Banditry isn't something you can take much pride in besides."

"And you weren't?" He shrugged softly, tossing the dagger aside where it planted in the ground just a foot away. "Looked like you were all ready to throw yer lives away just fine for someone else."

Garou's canine smile grew. "Oh, sure, but we were protecting people. Not trying to nick all their stuff. The spin's important."

"Yeah sure..." He turned to one of the fallen forms. "Hey, Bright Spot. You dead or just lazy!"

"Hm?" came a moan similar to when the first brigand had been awakened. "What're you yellin' about?" A female form rolled over, belly up and heaving. "Yer twice as lazy as I am."

"Then get your ass up." The cat thumped the ground, but made no move to rise himself. "Our marks want to get us to a town."

"They do? Why?" The female rolled in place, rocking back and forth until enough momentum allowed them to roll right up to their feet, almost graceful if not for the severe wince and the clutching of her side. "Damn, they hit hard... Oh..." That was when she saw them just standing there. "Hiya..."

Trixie rolled a hoof slowly. "This is fascinating, but slow. Bright Spot was it? Go get everyone standing so we can get moving."

Luna snorted softly. "Yes, do that, but also gather those that can't stand so we can assist them. Be gentle with them. It would be a shame for them to lose their lives due to mishandling after the fact."

Garou bounced in place lightly. "I'll help." And he was gone, loping across the field to start nipping and harassing people.

Luna's eyes followed him a moment before falling to the cat. "Will you not help?"

"I can barely sit up." He shrugged softly. "I ain't gonna cry or nothin', but walkin' feels right out." His gaze wandered to Trixie's wagon, the only wagon remaining. "We ridin' that?"

Trixie scooted between the wagon and the bandit, looking ready to hiss at him like an agitated cat, but no words or noise was make, just a nasty glare.

Celestia set a hoof gently on Trixie's shoulder. "They are injured, have some sympathy."

"They are injured because they attacked us," hotly rebuked Trixie, stomping a hoof at the larger former-princess. "They would have been just fine murdering us all."

"And we are better than them." Celestia moved the hoof to Trixie's nose, booping her gently. "Prove how Great and Magnanimous you are. Surely they couldn't even hope to compare."

Trixie raised her fore hooves, shoving Celestia's hoof aside. "Hmmph. We are better than them." Her magic wrapped around the seated cat before he promptly vanished. Her wagon lurched with new weight. "There."

"Ow," came from within. "Be just a touch gentler."

"It works taking you out just as easily as putting you in," Trixie spat with a frown. "Let's get this going."

"They're getting up." Garou was headed towards them in the great form of his hulking bipedal guise, one bandit under each of his arms. "The ones who can anyway. Where should I put these?"

Luna scowled at the one to the right. "I remember you. You and your little crooked dagger."

Celestia extended a wing gently in front of Luna. "Now is not the time for revenge. We are all battered, bruised, some worse. The first priority is to get everyone somewhere safe."

The bandit being spoken of had no response to give, looking unconscious in Garou's hand. "Looks like you got him right back for it already." Garou followed Trixie's little hoof gestures and set his cargo down in her wagon. "It's going to get crowded in there."

Trixie rolled her eyes. "They're welcome to find some other wagon if mine isn't good enough for them. I'm sure there are so many other options around." She waved a hoof in a wide arc over the wide area where not a single other vehicle could be seen. "Speaking of which." She wriggled back out of her harness and pointed at it. "This is going to be heavier. You're for this idea, you help pull the wagon."

Garou looked to Celestia. Celestia looked to Luna, who was already looking back at her. She huffed softly and turned to Rockhoof, but he was already looking as well.

"Sorry, lass." He dipped his head. "You're the least battered of us all and you have the size to manage the job. Speakin' ah that, what were you doing for half the fight? You just weren't there that I could see at all."

Trixie seemed to take undue amounts of pleasure in setting the harness onto Celestia's royal back, ensuring it was a proper and snug fit to fit her increasingly smug smile. "It's a good look for you."

"Yes... I thought I caught a glimpse of who was watching the battle with interest. I went to question them." She angled her head, pointing her horn at where it happened.

"Did you catch them?!" blurted Rockhoof.

"I doubt it." Garou gently nudged his co-warrior with a paw. "Or we'd be talking to them right now instead of considering interrogating the rank and file."

"Precisely so," allowed Celestia. "They attacked me and vanished in the instant I defended myself. If they had been part of the attack, perhaps things would have turned out less well." She took a step, testing how the wagon pulled behind her. "Is everyone who can walk ready to do so?"

Luna looked over the lot. About twenty other bandits had been gathered in a ragtag bunch, some splinted, some with crutches, but they were gathered. "I still see bodies on the field. I gather those... will not be joining us?"

One of the bandits, a female lizard, stepped forward. "They won't be doing anything anymore. Let's get out of here before they start stinking the place."

Celestia's ears fell, eyes darting from form to form, silently counting them. Luna slid in beside her sister. "You did well, Sister. Equestria avoids scenes just like this one, due to your vigilant watch of so long. At your hooves even now, you spared a caravan of merchants from a miserable fate. This is not your fault."

Rockhoof nodded softly. "I could hardly recognize it when first I returned. You have delivered a golden age to our people, and should be proud of that. So the rest of the world hasn't quite caught up yet, that doesn't diminish your accomplishments." He turned to the bandits and pointed at one seemingly at random. "If you could live with the ponies, would you?"

The she-badger hiked a thumb at herself. "Me? Uh... They wouldn't want me."

Garou's tongue began to loll a bit longer. "If they did, would you?" he prompted, tail wagging behind him, back to his smaller wolf form.

"Uh... I mean, sure, I guess? Who wouldn't?" She shrugged softly. "They have holidays every other day right?"

"And ice cream is their national food," added another with a silly grin.

An argument broke out about how idyllic the life of the average pony was and how outlandishly perfect it was, and thus how weak and childish the ponies had to be. Rockhoof let them argue, looking to Celestia. "See, envy of the world. They can't even believe a country could have it so good."

"Mayhaps I should have done more to make it seem less like an outlandish tale to be told to young ones." She started forward, drawing the wagon along. "For now, we should get them all to town. We need to decide where we go after that. This caravan guarding life gave us an easy direction, and it's past. Where our hooves set down is our decision, and we should make it."

Luna hiked a brow. "Trixie, you travel often, do you not?"

"All the time," gloated Trixie, buffing a hoof on her chest.

"Where is the nearest town?" continued Luna. "We don't have need of the largest, just the closest."

"The very closest I would suggest against." She waved a hoof dismissively. "The second closest isn't bad." She thrust a hoof in a point. "About three days' hike."

Author's Note

Celestia has to face facts. They are not comfy at all.

Written early for patreons who got this ahead of everyone else. Want to get early chapters, or even your own story written? atreon!

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19 - To Safety

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20 - New Directions

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21 - New Plans

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22 - Enlist Today!

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23 - The Right Stuff

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24 - Army Life

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25 - Infiltration

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26 - Do the Least Harm

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27 - Devil's In the Details

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28 - Reporting for Duty

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29 - Unrest

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30 - What Cheek

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31 - Roll Out

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32 - Hello Home

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33 - Cloudsdale Welcomes

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34 - The Cheek

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35 - About Tomorrow

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36 - Preparing the Show

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37 - All is Earth

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38 - Who Are You?

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39 - Showtime

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40 - Kneel Before Us

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41 - Turning One's Sight

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42 - Approaching the Head

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43 - Return to Darkness

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44 - Indecent Proposal

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45 - Eye to Eye

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46 - Island on Dry Land

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47 - Welcome Dearies

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48 - Wake Me Up Inside

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49 - New Starts

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12 - Welcome to Klugetown

It rose before them, even its most vibrant colors seemingly tainted by the brown of the arid lands around it. Great wheels of unknown function did not turn but did grace the town and many buildings of different heights were crammed together in the town, creating a stiflingly tight atmosphere.

"Fortunately, we're not going in there." The caravan master directed ponies to start setting up shop outside of it. "But this does mean you've reached another leg of the journey." She inclined her head back. "I'm told Celestia's share is to be paid to one of the merchants, so I'll get that over. The rest..."

With a deft twist of her neck, she grabbed a pouch of coins and set it on the ground ahead of herself. "Well earned. I included a little bonus for not losin' a single wagon to that blasted worm. Thought we'd always lose a few whenever one of those things showed up."

The bag floated into the air, not in Luna or Celestia's magic, instead yanked over by Trixie. "Thank you. I assume you'll be wanting our company after this as well, mm?"

"Of course." The caravan master perked an ear. "We'll be moving on past this, and having guards remains a valuable thing. Let us make some money here to make the time worth it, and maybe have some funds to continue employin' the lot of you."

Garou was barely listening to the conversation, his eyes up high, watching an airship float into position. "Ever consider getting one of those?"

The caravan master peered at the dog, then followed his eyes up to the floating ship. "It'd be nice, but there are fewer ship docks in Equestria that you can park the things at. If you can't land it without a big to-do, that makes it less temptin'."

Luna gestured with a wing up at it. "Sister and I have both flown on our share of flying ships. It's a stately way to travel, but she is correct in that finding an airship dock outside of major cities is unusual. When you have wings, this is less of an issue, but not everyone does, and when carrying heavy objects, even that can prove a challenge."

Celestia moved to Trixie's side. "Let's divide this properly, then we can enjoy our earnings. How long will the caravan be staying?"

"Mmm, depends on the business, but a few days at least." The caravan master turned in place, squinting a little. "I see business already approaching."

A few ambling animal people wandered from the town towards the unpacking wagons. One had an ornate red coat with bright gold buttons and a monocle over one eye. He looked rich, or that he was trying to look rich. Either way, he several others following right behind him and his swaying skunk tail.

Reaching up to adjust the monocle with a gloved hand, the leather a slightly different shade of red, his face was covered in black and white fur, matching the coloration of the skunk species his tail implied. "What have we here?" he asked loudly enough to make no mistake that he intended to be heard. "Traders? I do hope you've the proper permits."

"Must we do this dance every time?" spat the caravan master with a little smile. "You know we'll pay our dues. Just shove the paperwork over and I'll get it done."

He stepped closer, but stopped, his eyes moving to Luna and Celestia. "What is this? They're the largest ponies I ever witnessed."

Rockhoof moved between the royal sisters and the aristocratic skunk. "We're guards of the caravan."

"And they have an equally imposing stallion," almost purred the skunk, eyes shining as he brought his gloved hands together. "What a treat. Now then, ah, yes." He reached into his ornate jacket and drew out a tightly coiled scroll. "You know how I like it. See that it is filled to the last, with the proper fees included." He held out the scroll towards the caravan master.

The caravan master glanced between the royal sisters and the skunk, eyes darting. "Say, are you wanting to... spend some time with them?"

The skunk's face warmed to a smile. "That would be delightful." He rolled a hand softly. "Come to me, my ladies. I will show you around town."

The caravan master held up a hoof. "Not so fast, those are our guards. If they're leaving, we'll have to hire other guards. But, perhaps, you could help with that?" She inclined her head suggestively, brows waggling.

The skunk's fingers tapped at the opposing elbow, his arms crossed. "Mmm, mmm... Oh very well. Allow me to take these two lovely things off your... hooves... while you're here and we'll just forget the fees. That should cover it, yes?"

"Deal!" quickly spat out the caravan master before any of those being traded could voice their opinion. She hurried over to Celestia and Luna, both peering at her with ire. She whispered softly, "Look, just let him wine and dine you. You don't have to do more than that, and I'll give you half of what was saved by not paying those fees. Easy money."

Garou chuffed in a canine way. "Go on, enjoy your date. We'll keep an eye on things."

That got him a dirty look from both princesses before Celestia fixed her gaze on the skunk and smiled brightly, approaching him at a steady pace. "I apologize, but I don't think I've heard your name? I am Celestia, former princess of Equestria."

Luna took the cue and stepped up to take up a position beside her sister. "I am her sister, Luna. We gather you wish to tour the city?"

"Nothing so boarish." He turned away, his entourage of other animal folk silently moving to get behind him, ending up around the royal sisters without a word. "I'll show you the finest, as you clearly deserve. Let us speak of delicate senses and exquisite things, as you two clearly are."

Celestia tittered softly, following along as she was led into the city. Luna leaned in as they went, whispering gently, "Please tell me you are joking. You're not taken in by--"

Celestia gently bumped into her sister, quieting her.

In the quiet, the skunk raised a round ear. "Oh yes, how silly of me. I am Lefont, Mayor Lefont." He reached up to adjust his hat through which those round ears poked. "And I will be your host." He waved one hand widely. "The others are my guards, pay them no mind. Which brings a question to mind, how does a former princess become a guard herself? That sounds like a story worth hearing."

Trixie scoffed at their receding forms. "Take them but not a world famous magician? That creature has odd tastes. Very well, if we're settled, Trixie is going to put on a show worthy of her name. The creatures of this town will cheer and shower her with bits and praise." With an eager clip-clop of her hooves, she hopped into her wagon and began rustling around. A moment later it unfolded dramatically, revealing a stage and allowing fireworks to escape, already lit, to streak into the air and explode brightly. "The Great and Powerful Trixie is ready to impress!"

Rockhoof and Garou both clapped, paw to paw, hoof to hoof, in polite applause. Garou gestured his head at the stage. "Want me to play a little guard? I can make sure people pay to watch." His lips peeled back, revealing sharp teeth. "Or get them to go away."

Trixie looked baffled at the very idea, tilting her head at Garou. "I've never heard of a traveling performer who charges before you see what they do. I am no theatered attraction that charges at the door."

Rockhoof lifted his great shoulders. "He means well. We can both keep an eye out fer trouble and give 'em the boot if need be."

Trixie clopped her forehooves together. "I get personal guards? Trixie enjoys the sound of that. I can focus on putting on the best show I ever did, you keep the hecklers and pranksters in check." She just as suddenly turned around and pounced into the back, rustling through her things. "Now what sort of show, mmm, ohhh, I haven't used this in a little while..."

Garou glanced to the side at his co-guard. "I think she'll be busy setting up for a bit, let's make sure her 'eager fans' sit down in an orderly way."

"Let's." Rockhoof pointed. "I see some coming. They musta saw the fireworks."

The people of Klugetown were approaching. Some veered towards Trixie's show, while others were more interested in the merchants. The caravan's presence was more than enough of a draw to get people moving. Not all of them, in fact many of them, looked as if they couldn't afford much, but still they came, and none were turned away.

"Is that the Trixie Lulamoon?" asked the smooth tones of a male cat, his hands on his jacket as he gazed upon her back end, still setting up at the other side of the stage.

Trixie popped up at her name being called. "What? Who?" Her eyes focused on the cat. "That is the Great and Powerful Trixie," she corrected, with a hoof at her chest. "Are you a fan?"

"You could say that. I heard of you from an associate of ours." He inclined his head. "Quite the show it looks like you're setting up for. The name's Capper, by the way."

"Yes yes, hello Capper." She suddenly jerked up. "Capper! Yes, Trixie remembers that. Twilight told Starlight, and she told me." She leveled a hoof at Capper. "But Trixie will not be tricked by you. You are here to see Trixie's tricks instead, so sit down with the others and enjoy the show." She threw a hoof, glittering motes escaping it in an arc. "For it is about to begin!"

From feats of stage magic to displaying her growing repository of actual magic, Trixie wove a show delightedly for the crowd. The reaction was mixed, ranging from utter fascination and wild cheering to others who were barely paying attention. Fortunately, Trixie only cares about the ones clapping and cheering for her, and she grew more and more bold as the show went on.

"You've all been such wonderful fans." Her eyes darted over the various bits they'd thrown on stage. Some of it was obviously money, but more of it was clearly not. Various bits of junk and curiosities, she had no idea how much any of it was worth, for none of it was an Equestrian bit. "Trixie is going to show off a trick so new, none else have ever witnessed it!"

Those that had been paying attention leaned forward to see what she was offering, excited whispers exchanged between the various creatures that made up her audience.

"Where there was one Trixie, there will be more." She pulled out a hoop with her magic, twirling it in place. "This is not a magic hoop." She held it out in her magic. "Would somecreature care to confirm this?"

A hand went up and the hoop landed gently on it, allowing the fish-like creature to peer at the hoop, circling it around and wobbling it, testing its flexibility, but they could find no magic in it and shrugged softly.

Trixie took it back in her magic. "And yet, when Trixie does... this!" She dropped it over herself and her form was engulfed in a bright flash. When anyone could see again, there were two Trixies, both smiling confidently. "Excellently done," said the one on the right.

"As if we'd do anything else," agreed the one on the left. They lifted their hooves in sync and clopped them against the others, smiling for the crowd together.

Capper inclined his head faintly, leaning against the edge of the stage. "So which one's the original, and are you getting rid of the copy?"

Both Trixie's looked at each other suspiciously, neither volunteering to be deleted.

Author's Note

Two Trixies is at least one Trixie too many. How do we resolve this?

Meanwhile, the royal sisters are being seen around town by a local bigshot.

That all ignores the fact that we're back baby! We'll be updating monthly.

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