Source: field agent Zeta

Recipient: designation "Night Sister"

Body of the message: Object "Magic" with accompanying person left for Crystal Empire from Ponyville station on schedule. Illusions of object "Trickster" continue to increase in complexity. Latest performance in Ponyville was directly related to the Moon. My assessment is, it is worth Your personal attention. Zeta, signing off.

Author's Note

This story can be read as an indirect prequel to "The Good, The Bad and the Princess", if very, very loosely connected. It can easily be viewed as a standalone story, but if not, there is quite some time between the two.
Hope one day I'll be able to explore the connection.