Blooming Days

"Are either of you aware of what befell my sister's confidant, Sunburst?" Luna looked at the both of us. First Trix, then me. It was clear from her expression that she had no idea what had happened to the orange stallion in the Empire.

Well this is gonna be fun... I groaned internally.

"I..." the blue mare was noticeably affected.

It was the first question the princess had asked. Trix was already shaking like she'd just gotten out of an ice cold lake. The look of despair -- wide, shaking eyes and a hanging jaw -- was not something I wanted to see on her.

Not after she trusted me enough to confide in me.

"We both are," I decided to take the initiative. "But..."

How ironic.

Guess I really was gonna protect her.

At least, for the time being.

"I can answer your questions on that subject, Your Highness," I assured the princess. Luna shifted her gaze from me to Trix and then back to me again. Without saying another word on the subject the Night Mare returned her eyes to the document.

"Very well, Starlight. What is the nature of Sunburst's injury?"

Easy.

"It was a nasty fight with changelings. He fought Chrysalis' general and some of her best soldiers. From the way he looked he took lots of damage, but nothing that was permanent," I scratched at my ear uncomfortably. "Well... except..." I glanced at Trix. She still hadn't recovered. Odds are she wasn't going to.

"So many?" Luna scribbled a bit more. "How exactly did that particular situation occur?" she pressed. "Sunburst is one of Celestia's most talented followers. How was he overcome by simple changelings?"

...Crap.

"It was..." I scratched harder, not really sure how to approach the subject. "He took them all on so that the Elements could help Sunset."

"And the exception?" Luna asked.

"He got hit with... something," I pointed at my eye. "Acid or mana or... I honestly don't know." I laid a hoof on Trix's shoulder. She was still shaking. "Fluttershy, one of the Elements, tried to heal him and she didn't even know what it was."

"I... see," she stopped writing for a moment. "The healer of the Elements is quite strong. For her to fail..."

...

"It was my fault..." Trix managed to whisper.

I sighed. I'd taken the lead so she wouldn't have to talk about it.

But maybe it'll help her... probably not.

"What was that, Trixie?" Luna lowered the parchment a bit.

"It was nothing, Your Hi-" I tried to help her again. She didn't want me to.

"SUNBURST IS HURT BECAUSE OF ME!"

Her head fell

The blue mare's sudden outburst had caused me to flinch, forcing me into an incredulous silence. I had no idea why she'd want to face such a painful memory when I was willing to let her sit on the sidelines.

If that's what you want, Trix.

I sure wouldn't have.

Luna didn't react at all. Not initially, at least. The look of indifference on her face remained for a moment before she lowered the scroll.

The color of her horn slowly shifted to another, transitioning from its normal navy blue to an ethereal silver tint. It kind of resembled the small light that was floating in the room, which made sense. It was clearly an illumination spell the princess had crafted herself.

A sudden wave of mana pulsed outwards from the Princess of the Night. I couldn't understand what its purpose was, but I knew Luna had our best interests in mind. As it passed through my body I felt a sense of comfort or maybe relief fill me up. It was almost as if a downpour of cool autumn rain had fallen on me, soothing my spirit.

...

"What was that, Your Highness?" I asked, lifting a hoof to touch my chest. "I feel... better. Much better."

Trix lifted her head to look at the alicorn, the expression on her face one of confusion.

"I may not be as good as my sister, but..." Luna sent out another wave of the same energy. Once again, whatever she'd done made me feel amazing. This time, it was like I'd been submerged in the vast depths of a warm ocean. "It should help," she looked Trix's way. "Is it a bit better, Trixie? The pain, I mean."

"It..." Trix let out the breath she'd been holding, a weak smile coming to her lips. "It is, Your Highness. Thank you."

"Of course," Luna smiled, lifting the scroll again. "I know it might be a little difficult, but would you care to elaborate for me?" The Moon Princess asked. "I don't want to put you on the spot, and I completely understand if it's something you do not wish to discuss with me. However..." The princess placed the paper on the floor, giving the blue mare her full attention. Not only that, but an action like that said she was willing to keep it off the record if Trix needed that assurance as well.

She's really trying. Just like she did with me.

Trix was obviously still struggling, but Luna's spell -- as well as her kind gesture -- had improved the unicorn's mood drastically. "While that may be the case, I truly believe I can help you. It would mean the world if you could find it in your heart to place your trust in me."

"Your Highness..." the azure unicorn stared at the alicorn in awe.

...

"No pressure, Trix," I snickered. It could've been an attempt to lighten the mood, but knowing myself, I relished the pressure the mare was feeling. It had to be the same thing I had felt when Luna had done similar to me in the past.

Misery loves company, after all.

The funny thing was, Luna wasn't telling lies. She'd helped me before, much in the same way. She'd forced me into an uncomfortable position, -- facing Celestia -- and I just had to trust her. And that's exactly what Trix needed to do right now too.

Even if she doesn't want to.

"On the contrary," the princess grinned, knowingly. "I intended no pressure at all, Trixie," she gently assured the unicorn. "Feel free to refuse my offer if you wish. I shan't hold it against you, regardless of the decision you make."

...

"I don't mind talking about it with the two of you, it's just..." Trix sighed, looking up at me as if she needed my permission to continue or something. I didn't know how to reply.

"It's clear from your manner that you harbor intense feelings of regret over what happened." The princess had taken the lack of direct rejection to mean Trix was willing.

Proooobably the best approach, Luna.

If she'd have given me a choice, I wouldn't have consented back then either.

"I do, Your Highness," Trix admitted. If her terrible posture was any indication, she'd done so rather reluctantly.

"And why is that?" Luna asked. "Based on Sunset Shimmer's testimony alone, you and the rest of the Elements are nothing short of national heroes."

"I sure don't feel like a hero." Trix's head fell once again. Luna looked my way. Somehow, I knew exactly what she was asking in spite of her silence.

She really is.

I nodded my head.

"That particular attitude seems to be going around like a plague," the Moon Princess let out an exasperated sigh.

"What do you mean, Your Highness?" Trix peeked upwards, confused by the Night Princess' claim.

"I am intimately familiar with feelings of self-deprecation, Trixie," the alicorn replied. "In fact, I was reprimanded by Celestia just moments ago for those exact feelings."

I can believe that.

If Luna was anything like her student she struggled with confidence on a daily basis too. That much had been easy enough to ascertain after teaching the traitor a single time.

All that power and even she doubts herself.

It was ludicrous.

"Why, Princess?" Trix was invested now. "You're one of the Immortal Sisters! Why would you ever doubt yourself!?"

...

"Ironic, isn't it?" Luna chuckled bitterly.

I couldn't hold my laughter in, covering my mouth with a hoof. Luna continued to look forward, deep in thought. Trix stared at me, her mouth agape, as if I'd just said something horrible about her mother.

"It really is, Your Highness," I sighed, wiping a gleeful tear from my eye once my fit died down. "I mean, I know Trix isn't me, but she's still plenty talented," I smirked. The blue unicorn rolled her eyes. Luna covered her sudden smile with a hoof. "She reminds me a lot of this other unicorn I know," I raised my eyebrows, smiling directly at the Princess of the Night.

"I will be the first to admit. Twilight can be a bit hard on herself at times," Luna conceded, before returning her regard to Trix. "And just as she should think higher of herself, so should you, Trixie."

"I don't know about that," Trix lamented.

"So, I'm a liar then?" Luna lifted a brow. It was obvious she was just playing with the mare, but Trix looked like she might've just been stabbed with a knife.

"NO, YOUR HIGHNESS! NO OF COURSE NOT!" the mare stood to her hooves, waving her forelegs about, before her vigor fled from her completely. "It's just... I'm not special like Twilight Sparkle is. I mean... she's your disciple."

"Pish tosh," Luna squashed that train of thought instantly, causing the unicorn to stand at attention. "That is simply not true," the princess lifted a hoof as she began. "You are the leader of the Elements of Harmony. My sister does not choose those in her employ thoughtlessly, Trixie." It was almost as if she were scolding the mare, but the princess managed to rein herself in. "Not only that, you and your friends managed to save the Crystal Empire from Chrysalis' clutches. That is no simple act."

"Only because of Sunburst," she muttered bitterly under her breath. She still wouldn't give an inch.

"You are correct," Luna used a spell to lift Trix's head. "It is due to the efforts of Sunburst, Sunset, Cadenza, and you, the Elements, that the Crystal Empire remains standing. ALL of you. Without any single piece, a puzzle will never be complete, Trixie."

...

"I..." the azure unicorn was surprised, but a meager smile came to her lips. "I think I get what you're saying, Your Highness. Thank you. I'll... I'll try and do better."

"Good girl," Luna grinned, lifting a second parchment with her telekinesis. "And I assure you, you've naught to worry about."

"Your Highness?" Trix's face lit up.

"No matter the injury that Sunburst has sustained, my sister is able to remedy it," the Princess placed a hoof on her own chest. "I swear it."

...

Trix really was about to cry this time.

"Thank you... Princess Luna."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"And that's when she appeared."

"She?" Princess Luna stopped her scrawling, looking up from the scroll. The Mare of the Moon was outright confounded by the blue unicorn's words.

Once we'd finished talking about Sunburst Luna's questions took a turn in a direction I couldn't follow.

"How many changelings did you all face? And precisely how powerful were they?"

"Thirteen. They were strong enough to oppose me, my friends, and Sunburst. But... but they won't be an issue anymore."

...

"And why is that, Trixie?"

"Chrysalis decided to... get rid of them."

"I... see. No surprises there, honestly, the fiend. Did you come face to face with the curse at any point?"

"Just for a moment. It fled shortly after me and my friends arrived in the main hall of the palace to help Sunset."

"Do you have any information pertaining to it that might be able to aid my sister and I? Anything at all?"

"He was... he was scared of us... of me and my friends. The Elements, I mean. At least, that's what he'd said."

"He said he was... afraid of you?"

"Yes, Your Highness. Apparently, Chrysalis was supposed to... remove us, the Elements, but she failed. Sunburst..."

"Say no more. I understand. And after the curse fled?"

"Chrysalis tried to fight us herself. She tried to... she attacked Fluttershy. Sunset saved her. And then..."

"And then Cadenza saved her."

"Y-yes, Your Highness."

...

"Would you have done the same, Trixie?"

"Your Highness?"

"Would you have made the same decision that Sunset did?"

...

"I honestly don't know."

"Do you believe what she chose was wrong?"

"I... I'm not sure."

"Elaborate, if you will."

"Well... I... Who knows what Chrysalis would have done to us if she'd have won?"

...

"Even now, with Cadenza cooperating with her, I just... Sunset's choice may have been a bit extreme but... I can't really say I disagree with it."

"So in the end, you would have done the same?"

"No. I don't think I would have."

"And why is that?"

"Making a decision on what to do with Chrysalis wasn't what I was instructed to do."

"What was it that you were instructed to do?"

"We were supposed to purify her and, if need be, Twilight Sparkle."

"And why did you fail to perform the second task?"

...

"Things didn't play out the way we thought they would."

"How is that?"

"Twilight wasn't a combatant. When we arrived in the main hall she was no longer a factor."

"Then why was Chrysalis spared from purification?"

"That's when Cadenza stepped in. That's when she was transformed."

And that's where we currently were.

Princess Luna wasn't the only one. I was intrigued by this other being too. Having been knocked out for most of the fight, I'd only been able to help Sun in the most meager of ways. I had no idea what the rest of the battle was like.

Trix mentioned it not being either of the sisters before, so unless Discord was powerful enough to perform a feat like that, I had no idea of any other creature that could.

"You don't know, Your Highness?" Trix looked disturbed by the possibility. When Luna did nothing but stare back Trix continued. "Princess Celestia didn't tell you?"

"Of a creature that can transform others into an alicorn?" Luna scribbled some more. "She did not."

"Well..." The unicorn looked uncomfortable all of a sudden. She'd been just as reserved with me back in the Empire when we'd discussed the same subject.

"Had Celestia wished to keep such a thing secret from me, she wouldn't have chosen me for this job." The ugly mood Luna had prior to meeting with us seemed to emerge for just a moment, but the princess quashed it as quickly as it had come. "You can trust me, Trixie. Even with this."

...

"It's not that I don't trust you, Your Highness," she finally replied. "It's... I'm not really sure what she is either. I know we're her Elements, but not even Princess Celestia seemed to be able to tell us much more than that."

"I wonder..." Luna stroked her chin with a hoof. "Do you believe she wishes to keep this being a secret, or was she purposely vague because she doesn't know more about it herself?"

"I couldn't say for sure either way, Your Highness," Trix conceded without a fight. "I know I'm the leader of the Elements, but whoever she is?" Trix chuckled slightly. "That just seems waaaay above my pay grade."

"Hmmmm," Luna continued to ponder before abruptly turning my way. "I would have your input as well, Starlight."

"Honest?" I lifted a brow, not sure if I should be blunt about her one and only sister.

Don't need her jumping down my throat.

"Well, I certainly don't want your lies," she grinned.

"Okay, okay," I lifted my forelegs submissively. "Just remember, you asked for it." I cleared my throat, beyond pleased to speak my mind on the dict- princess. "Celestia..." The Princess of the Night's eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't interrupt. "Celestia strikes me as someone who has to be in control."

"Sounds exactly like a mare I know," Luna lifted a playful brow, a smirk lifting her lips. Trix looked at me as if I might go off or get offended.

Was I like that when I didn't know Luna that well?

No wonder she's not close to many creatures.

"Takes one to know one, I guess," I shrugged. I took her snide remark in stride, knowing it wasn't meant to be an insult. "That doesn't change my opinion regardless. Celestia... shoot, any leader worth their salt wouldn't show an ounce of weakness or lack of knowledge to one of their subordinates."

"So then, you believe Celestia is ignorant of this being?" the alicorn pressed.

"If she isn't, she definitely wouldn't just come right out and say it to anyone," I replied bluntly. "Least of all to someone she respects," I lifted my chin towards Luna before turning to Trix. "Or to someone lower in the pecking order."

...

"That... that may be true," Luna was able to admit after several moments of contemplation. She switched to a different scroll, teleporting the other somewhere else, like the rest.

I decided to have a little fun and test the Princess of the Night's loyalty to her counterpart.

It's only fair. I did answer her questions, after all.

"Honestly... Celestia might just be jealous that there's someone stronger than her," I smirked at Trix. "So maybe she wants to keep them a secret from the rest of us." The azure mare was not going to play along with me, sadly.

"That doesn't sound like Princess Celestia," the unicorn shook her head, though I'm not sure if her reply came from a place of fear or something else entirely.

"Celestia has no qualms acknowledging those who are stronger than she is, Starlight," Luna smiled like an imp at my doubtful expression. "A being like Discord, for example. I believe you've made his acquaintance?"

I bristled.

Trix started snickering, though she did try to hide it behind a hoof.

"Whatever," I huffed, turning away from them. Princess Luna stifled her own laughs.

"I have one final question for you girls, if that's alright?" she was all smiles until she finished speaking. Then, she was all business, vestiges of the initial frustration back again.

"Sure," I said in the hopes that my cooperation would placate her.

"Anything, Your Highness," Trix was also just as compliant as I had been. Probably, for the same reasons.

"What are your thoughts on Cadenza deciding to work with Chrysalis?"

...

...

...

"She's crazy," I answered. Trix didn't hesitate, speaking up right after me.

"Yeah, TOTALLY insane."