Night Reigns Book 2: Expedition Harmony

They only spent a day in Canterlot, long enough to rest up, refresh their equipment, and book a new train. Soon enough they were on the way to Las Pegasus. Trixie had never been so talkative, and her excitement was painfully obvious.

“You are going to love Las Pegasus,” she gushed. “It is the most amazing city in Equestria! There is always something going on, and everything is a showpiece, and everypony is doing something interesting!”

Sterling flattened his ears against his head as Sunset stifled a giggle. Trixie completely ignored them, continuing without an apparent breath.

“They have massive hotels and the most amazing food! You can ride a roller coaster indoors! And the magic shows...” she actually took a breath emphasize how important this was. “The MAGIC shows!”

“But Trixie,” began Sunset.

“There are so many things that Trixie needs to show you! We have to go to the River Hotel, and to the Illusion, and...”

“Trixie!” interrupted Sunset, more forcefully.

Trixie seemed to become aware of them once again. “Yes?”

“Where do we go to find the Element?”

“Oh!” exclaimed Trixie. “Why didn’t you say so? Trixie has that all sorted out.”

“You... do?” asked Sterling, somewhat suspiciously.

“Oh, yes! Flim and Flam run a magnificent show in Las Pegasus. They have the element... here is their announcement.”

“Flim and Flam?” asked Sunset.

Trixie levitated an old paper towards Sunset, who captured it in her magical field. “’The most Majestical Stuntacular in All Las Pegsasus featuring the Stone of Spectacle Trademarked Flim and Flam Enterprises,’" Sunset read aloud. "That’s one heck of a title.”

“Trixie would have gone for something far more modest,” sniffed Trixie.

Sterling looked over Sunset’s shoulder. “I have to admit it’s still the best lead that we have. And if it is an Element, Trixie, you think they will give it to you?”

Trixie laughed. “Even the Great and Powerful Trixie is not going to talk a show pony out of their top billed artifact. But Trixie will come up with a plan.”

Sunset read the advertisement again and then mused, “I wonder, might we see the show before we try to talk to them?”

“That might be a good idea,” offered Sterling. “If they present this ‘stone’ we can get a good idea whether it actually is an Element before we waste anypony’s time.”

Sunset nodded and smiles. “And Trixie, remember. We are in Las Pegasus for a mission, not a sight-seeing trip. We won’t have time to see every show in town!”

Trixie pouted a bit. “You can’t go to Las Pegasus and not see the shows.”

“That’s exactly what we’re doing,” confirmed Sterling. “You’re just going to have to accept it.”

...

As they disembarked in Las Pegasus, the first thing that struck Sunset was how chaotic it seemed. There were ponies moving everywhere, in every direction. Obvious tourists, obvious locals, obvious workers, every pony seemed to have somewhere to go and somewhere to be that was not where they currently were.

Sterling was tense, scanning the crowd for threats, but Trixie was absolutely escatic.

“Can you feel the energy in the air? Trixie is so excited to be here again! Trixie might have to put on an impromptu show!”

“Trixie doesn’t have time to put on a show,” snapped Sterling. “Which way do we need to go?”

Trixie gave an exaggerated sigh and looked around quickly to get her bearings. She chose a direction and indicated with her hoof. “Flim and Flam’s resort is this way. I suppose we can at least check in and perhaps Trixie can get a spa treatment before the show?”

Sterling frowned, but Sunset actually smiled. “Actually, Trixie, a spa treatment sounds like just the thing right now.”

“All right,” offered Sterling. “While you ladies relax, I think I’ll do some scouting and just see what we’re getting ourselves into.”

...

Sterling returned to his room an hour later with an exasperated sigh. Las Pegasus was just far too chaotic to make sense of what was going on. He had at least learned the layout of the rather large resort, and secured tickets to the show, but with at least an hour left to spare, he decided that even he could use a nap before catching up with Trixie and Sunset.

The bed was overly soft for his liking, but as a soldier, he was used to sleeping when and where he could. He was out rather quickly.

A sudden noise snapped him awake, and without betraying that he was awake, he half-opened his eyes to scan the room. At first he saw nothing, but then a flash of light revealed a pony standing near the window. He didn’t recognize her at first, but then a second flash revealed the tall form and shifting mane of Nightmare Moon, her eyes glowing in the dark.

Sterling was out of bed and bowing in a flash. “Y... your Majesty? What are you doing here?”

“I would ask you the same question.” Her voice was cold and hard, and she stared at him unblinkingly.

“I... but... we are questing for the Elements of Harmony. Are you not still in the Crystal Empire? Why... why are you Nightmare Moon?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Is it upon you to question a ruler of Equestria?”

Sterling flushed, and bowed lower. “No, no! No, your highness. My apologies.”

“Then answer me. Why are you in Las Pegasus? What are you doing here?”

“Why... Trixie recognized an artifact here that we believe to be an element. We... we told you about it in the Crystal Empire. Do you not remember?”

“Of course I remember!” snapped Nightmare Moon. “I did not think you would have taken her word so seriously.”

“I... well... Sunset felt it was worth following. We should know by tonight.”

“I see.” Nightmare Moon stepped a little closer. “And then after this, what?”

Sterling frowned a bit. There was something very wrong about this interrogation. “I... I don’t know, your highness. There should be two more elements to locate, but we don’t yet have any clues.”

“Excellent,” replied Nightmare Moon.

“Your highness?”

“Tell nobody, Sterling Honor.” Her horn lit a brilliant green and the light filled Sterling’s eyes as she lowered it to his forehead. “Back to sleep for now.”

Exactly on time Sterling’s eyes snapped open and he looked around the room slowly. The ladies would be finished their spa treatment and it was time to meet up with them for the show.

“It was... a dream?” he wondered. But if it was just a dream, why was he sleeping on the floor?

It took longer than he liked to locate Sunset, even though she was waiting more or less exactly where they had agreed. She waved a hoof to catch his attention and he trotted over quickly.

“Where’s Trixie?” he asked, impatient. “The theatre opens in 10 minutes.”

“I don’t know,” replied Sunset with some frustration. “She wandered away and I lost sight of her in the crowd.”

Sterling stamped a hoof with irritation and looked around again. “We can wait a few minutes, but with so many ponies wandering around, it’s going to take us long enough to get to the theatre, let alone get inside.”

Sunset nodded. “If she’s not here by the time the theatre opens, we’ll have to go without her.”

Sterling rolled his eyes. “We’ll never hear the end of it if we do.”

“Did you find anything interesting in your ‘recon’?” asked Sunset, grinning a bit.

“Nothing very much. I know the layout of the resort, and of course I got the tickets. They aren’t very good, everything was apparently sold out long ago.”

“That doesn’t matter much,” replied Sunset. “As long as we can see the stone I should be able to tell if it’s an element or not. I hope they plan to present it.”

Sterling nodded towards the wall. “It’s all over the posters... it’s hard to imagine the ‘Stone of Spectacle’ won’t make an appearance.”

Sunset nodded as well. “Good point. Anything else?”

Sterling shook his head. “I ended up in my room, where I... I took a nap.”

Sunset grinned and nudged Sterling’s shoulder. “Good boy! Can’t have you falling asleep during the show! Our spa treatment was amazing... I feel as refreshed as if I took a nap too!”

They watched the crowds for a few more minutes, desperately straining to catch a glimpse of Trixie in any direction. At last, Sterling called it.

“We’re going to have to get moving if we want to get seated. She must have gotten distracted by something, maybe some other show.”

Sunset shook her head, but agreed. “I guess she knows her way around well enough that we don’t have to watch her. Let’s go see what we can learn from the show.”

It took minutes to cross the massive resort, but at last they found the theatre, where a large crowd was slowly filtering into the theatre through three massive doors. It was moving slowly, as each pony’s ticket was carefully examined by a burly usher at each door. Sunset and Sterling joined the crowd and started inching closer to the entrance.

“I have to admit, it’s really ornate!” gushed Sunset, looking around and trying to peer through the doors into the theatre.

Sterling grunted agreement, and glared towards one of the ushers who was trying to juggle several groups of ponies at the same time. “Not terribly efficient, though.”

“SUNSET! STERLING!”

The loud voice drowned out all chatter and for a moment the volume in the atrium was lowered as faces turned towards the source. Standing at the top of a small staircase attached to the wall was Trixie. As Sunset and Sterling turned to look, she grinned and waved them over to her with her hoof.

Sterling took a quick glance at the throng that they were now in the middle of, as some ponies stopped paying attention and went back to filtering into the theatre.

“She can’t be serious. I’m not getting out of line now?”

Sunset sighed, and motioned for Trixie to come down and join them instead. Trixie frowned.

“COME! TO! TRIXIE!”

Again, the loud voice, clearly magically amplified. This time most of the ponies looked towards Sunset and and Sterling, and a few of them chuckled sympathetically.

“We better go see what she wants,” sighed Sunset.

Sterling rolled his eyes and put the tickets away in his saddlebags. “Whatever you say,” he grumbled.

The two of them started to push their way back through the crowd, with plenty of ‘excuse me’s and apologies. At last they reached the base of the stairs and climbed up to Trixie, who disappeared through the door at the top and beckoned them in.

“Where were you, Trixie?” asked Sunset as she followed. “The show is about to start!”

Trixie grinned triumphantly. “The Great and Powerful Trixie has been using her amazing status as a well known stage performer to introduce herself to the cast!” Her voice lowered and she whispered very quickly to Sunset. “Play along.”

Sunset blinked and looked at Sterling as Trixie motioned to someone through the next door. A moment later a pink pegasus with a long, multi-colored mane came into the room and smiled. “Are these your assistants, Trixie?”

Trixied beamed and nodded. “Mi Amore Cadenza, Trixie would like to present her manager, Ms Sunset Shimmer, and Trixie’s personal security escort, Mr Sterling Honor.”

Cadenza curtsied. “I’m so pleased to meet you! Trixie told me about how excited you all were to see Pony Fantastique, and that she’d personally promised you a good seat. I can’t deny a fellow performer, you know show biz ponies need to stick together! You can use the producer’s box, I don’t think we have any other guests tonight!”

“Oh!” responded Sunset. “Yes, well, we wanted to see if there was anything that might benefit the Great and Powerful Trixie’s most magnificent act, Miss Mi Amore.”

Trixie kicked Sunset’s back leg discreetly, muttering under her breath. “Tone it down...”

Cadenza didn’t seem to notice. “Oh, please, call me Cadence.” She looked towards Sterling Honor. “And you were Sterling, was it?”

Sterling nodded curtly. “Yes ma’am.”

Cadence giggled. “You pick tough security, Trixie. Well, I need to get ready here, let me show you to your box and you all just enjoy the show! I’ll catch up with you later to see what you thought!”

The box overlooked the orchestra pit and made it very easy to see the stage. After Cadence bid them to enjoy the show one last time and made her way downstairs, Sterling glared at Trixie.

“WE are YOUR staff?” he demanded.

Trixie grinned widely. “Hah, Trixie told you she knew her way around Las Pegasus.” She leaned over the edge of the balcony and pointed towards the back. “YOUR tickets were way back there!”

Sterling rolled his eyes and sat down grumpily. Sunset shook her head but chuckled. “I suppose... thank you, Trixie. From here it will be much easier to sense any latent magic.”

Trixie smirked and took the center seat, stretching out and making herself comfortable. “Of course! Only the best when you travel with Trixie!”

“So you’ve worked with this one... Cadence... before?” asked Sterling.

“Oh, no,” replied Trixie. Her grin never faded. “Trixie recognized her from the posters, and caught her as she was making her way to the dressing rooms. After talking for a little bit Trixie convinced her that she must have heard of Trixie’s amazing magic show, and told her how much Trixie’s assistants were desperate to see Pony Fantastique. When you have the silver tongue of Trixie, it’s easy.”

Sterling grunted. “A little deceptive. Was it necessary?”

Trixie waved him off. “It’s show business! Everypony tells little white lies to make stronger connections. Trixie didn’t say anything that will get us in trouble. And look at the magnificent box Trixie has got for us to share!”

Sterling snorted and turned his attention back towards the stage. Sunset smiled and nodded to Trixie.

“Well, I admit it’s a lot more comfortable. Thank you, Trixie.”

As the show started, Cadence was the first one on-stage. She flew around the stage, dropping glitter as she flew, while stallions mock-swooned underneath her to heavy orchestral music. Though a simple entrance, all three of the ponies found it enthralling, and enjoyed it immensely.

As she exitted, two tall, lanky unicorn stallions took the stage dressed in formal tuxedos. They had pale olive coats, while their manes and tails were a dull red with white stripes. The slightly shorter of the two sported a bushy mustache.

“Fillies and gentlecolts, allow me to introduce myself!” said the taller one. “My name is Flim...”

“... and I am Flam!” added the other.

“Brothers?” mused Sterling. “They have nearly matching cutie marks.” Sure enough, both had sliced-apple related cutie marks. Flim sported an apple slice, while Flam seemed to have an apple with a slice cut out of it.

Then they spoke together. “We’re the world-famous Flim-Flam Brothers! And we’re proud to welcome you to Pony Fantastique!”

Sterling settled back with a satisfied grunt.

“Make sure you stick around for the grand finale,” advised Flam.

“The presentation of the amazing and spectacular...” continued Flim.

“Stone of Spectacle!” they completed together.

“But first...” hinted Flim. Then almost as quickly as it had faded, the music suddenly picked up in rhythm, and multiple acts made their way out. Like a three-ring circus, there was too much to watch at once as ponies flew, tight-rope walked, blew fire, and performed simple illusions. When one act finished, it was smoothly replaced by an all new one. Flim and Flam quietly faded back and left the stage.

Trixie leaned over the balcony watching intently, a massive grin on her face. Sunset did her best to keep up, finding it hard to take everything into account. Sterling sat back in his seat, a grimace on his face, but his eyes darted around frequently, taking stock of the theatre as a whole.

The entire event lasted about 90 minutes until at last the stage grew quiet, save for a single bright spotlight in the center. Flim and Flam entered together as a single string instrument kept up a suspenseful rhythm.

“And now, my friends...” began Flim.

“The moment you have all been waiting for!” continued Flam.

“The spectacular...” gushed Flim.

“... the stupendous...” added Flam.

“... the STONE OF SPECTACLE! (Trademark Flim and Flam Brothers.)” they completed together. A small dias raised from the center of the stage as the audience leaned in close to see. On the dias was a glass display case with a brightly lit gem inside of it. Sunset leaned over the balcony herself to study it.

“We brothers found this gem in a daring...” began Flam.

“... and might I add extremely dangerous...” inserted Flim.

“Extremely dangerous,” emphasized Flam.

“... journey to the long-lost island of Atlanthoof!” finished Flim!

“With the help of our brave seapony guides...” continued Flam.

“... we located and extracted this amazing amethyst, especially for you...” Flim flourished towards the audience as they finished together.

“...our amazing audience here in Las Pegasus!”

There was loud applause as Flim and Flam took their bows. Then the gem’s stand began to descend back into the stage.

“Wait!” cried Sunset softly. “Is that it!?”

“Hush!” admonished Trixie.

“But they didn’t DO anything with it!”

Trixie rolled her eyes. “You don’t understand anything about show business.”

Shortly after the music picked up again, and all the performers who had graced the stage during the show returned to join Flim and Flam. They lined up across the stage and took their bows as the announcer called each name in turn. The theatre erupted into sustained applause that lasted until well after the curtain had closed, and then ponies began the slow process of filing their way out.

“What do we do now?” asked Sunset.

Trixie fell back into her seat with a contented sigh. “Why, we wait of course. Cadence will come and ask us what we thought of the show.”

“Are you sure she’ll come?” asked Sunset.

“Certainly,” replied Trixie. “That’s part of being a gracious host!”

Sunset hmmed and looked over towards Sterling. “What did you think of the show? You were pretty quiet.”

Sterling smiled. “What I saw of it was entertaining... but I was mostly keeping an eye on the security of the theatre. They are pretty alert when the stone comes out, and I’d suspect it’s stored backstage somewhere.” He eyed Sunset carefully. “What did you think? Is it an Element?”

“It was pretty hard to tell...” offered Sunset hesitantly. “It was only on-stage for a few minutes, and they never even opened the case. There was some kind of magic resistance on the glass, though that’s not unusual for something valuable. It certainly looked like an Element, but I wish I could see it closer.”

“Trixie has that arranged too,” offered Trixie with a smirk.

“Oh?” asked Sunset, her ears perking. “Did you get us a backstage tour, too?”

Trixie’s smirk grew. “Better than that.”

Just then there was a light knock from outside the box, and Cadence appeared, still wearing her stage costume. “Hello, Trixie!” she called in a sing-song voice. “Did you enjoy the show?”

“It was spectacular!” gushed Trixie. “And my assistants loved it too! Didn’t you?”

“Oh... oh yes!” added Sunset. “Actually I really liked the fire breathers. Who said dragons were the only creatures who could do that?”

“Ooh, yes!” replied Cadence. “It makes me a bit nervous, but they are really the most professional performers I’ve ever seen. They are so careful to ensure nopony gets hurt!” She looked to Sterling. “What was your favorite part?”

Sterling forced a smile and grunted a bit. “Oh... um. I guess I liked the dancing gerbils?”

Cadence laughed! “Oh! You’re an animal lover! That’s wonderful!”

Sterling shrugged but his expression softened a bit. Cadence turned back towards Trixie.

“Flim and Flam are ready to see you. They only have a few minutes to spare, but when I told them the Great and Powerful Trixie wanted to talk to them, they were really eager!”

“Of course!” replied Trixie. “Who wouldn’t be?”

Sterling rolled his eyes as they all got back to their hooves to follow Cadence out.

“This way,” advised Cadence as she led them down a different set of stairs and towards the backstage area. After winding their way through several passages, she called back to them.

“Flim and Flam are right through here,” she called as she stepped through a final doorway. Trixie lifted a hoof to halt Sunset and Sterling.

“Follow Trixie’s lead,” she whispered.

Ahead of them they heard Cadence speaking to Flim and Flam. Trixie seemed to be listening intently, concentrating.

“Flim and Flam,” Cadence called. “I’ve brought Trixie and her helpers for you. She’s... oh... she was right behind me?”

Before anyone else could speak, Trixie spoke in a loud, commanding voice, using her magic to make it sound as if it were coming from all around them.

“Come one, come all! It’s time once again to witness the amazing, show-stopping abilities of the Mare of Magic! Presenting the one, the only, The Grrrrrrreat and Powerful TRRRRIXIE!”

On the final word she tossed a smoke bomb and ran forward under cover of it. By the time it dissipated, she was reared up on her hind hoofs with her forehooves spread triumphantly.

Cadence gasped and then applauded with her hooves as Sunset and Sterling quietly made their way in behind Trixie. Flim and Flam smirked a bit as they looked at Trixie.

“So, Great and Powerful Trixie! So nice of you to visit our little corner of Equestria!” offered Flim.

“I do hope you all enjoyed the show!” added Flam. “What was your favorite part of it?”

“To be honest,” offered Sunset. “I was really hoping to learn more about the Stone of Spectacle!”

Flim and Flam cast brief glances at each other, then looked back to Sunset.

“A most remarkble gem!” offered Flim.

“Worth at least several millions bits,” confirmed Flam. “There is no object in Equestria like it!”

“But what does it do?” persisted Sunset.

“Do?” repeated Flim, as if confirming he heard correctly. “Why, the powers of the Stone of Spectacle, trademark Flim and Flam Brothers, has powers beyond the mere comprehension of ponykind!” Flam nodded.

“Like what?” persisted Sunset.

Trixie interjected by literally stepping in front of Sunset and shoving her aside with her flank. “That’s enough silly questions, Sunset. Flim and Flam are very busy ponies. The important thing is that we all enjoyed the show very much!”

Flim and Flam smiled and looked back to Trixie again. “So does that mean that you are interested in becoming a part of it?”

“What!?” exclaimed Sterling.

“Oh yes,” replied Flim. “Cadence explained Trixie’s interest in joining Pony Fantastique.”

“Trixie!” exclaimed Sunset. “What are you doing?!”

Trixie settled back onto her hooves and smiled. “Oh, settle down.” She looked back towards Flim and Flam. “As you can see, Trixie’s staff are very easily concerned, but I assure you that they are the highest quality and will be great assets to your show. Sunset is the best time manager in Equestria, and Sterling knows more about security than any pony you’ve ever seen. Trixie simply won’t participate without them.”

Flim and Flam glanced at each other for a moment longer than before, but when they looked back they sported broad grins. Flam spoke first.

“All right, Trixie! We’d be happy to take on you and your staff...”

“... on a provisional basis...” noted Flim.

“... until your first show, and we see how the audience responds,” finished Flam.

“Of course,” noted Flim, “you’ll be responsible for your own expenses until we are satisfied that you will fit in with the Pony Fantastique family!”

“Oh!” exclaimed Cadence. “That’s wonderful! I can show them around!”

“Excellent!” exclaimed Flam. “We’ll leave them in your capable care, Cadence! Miss Trixie, shall we say first of the month for your debut performance?”

Trixie grinned. “You won’t be disappointed! After you see Trixie perform, you’ll have her as top billing!”

Flim and Flam grinned at each other. “Confidence! Absolutely a positive trait for a performer in Las Pegasus. Very well, my brother and I have to go start the evening’s accounting.”

“Goodbye Flim! Goodbye Flam!” called Cadence as they made their way out. She turned towards Trixie. “Oh! This is so exciting! We haven’t had a real magic act in Fantastique in forever!”

Sunset frowned. “Trixie, can we talk to you over here for a moment?”

Trixie rolled her eyes and smiled at Cadence. “Just a moment, Trixie needs to calm her help.”

Sunset, Trixie and Sterling stepped a few paces away while Cadence waited uncomfortably.

Sterling spoke first, hissing through a loud whisper. “Did you seriously just sign us all up to work a Las Pegasus show?”

“Oh, relax,” replied Trixie. “You wanted to find the Element, and Trixie did it. You wanted a way to inspect it, and Trixie did that too. Cadence will show us around and she’ll take us right to it if we ask her to.”

“Well...” began Sunset hesitantly. “I suppose that might be true...?” She looked to Sterling for confirmation.

“Surely you don’t intend to stay through next month to perform?” Sterling asked Trixie.

“Well...” began Trixie.

“Trixie!” hissed Sunset.

“Very well!” huffed Trixie. “I’m sure we’ll be done before then. But it will be a terrible thing to deny Trixie’s fans such a grand appearance.”

Sterling frowned as he thought about it for a moment. “All right,” he finally conceded. “But tone down the ‘assistant’ and ‘helper’ bits, will you? I don’t care for that very much.”

“Fine, fine,” replied Trixie, waving him off. She immediately turned back to Cadence and grinned widely. “All set. Shall we find Trixie’s dressing room?”