Rise of Ruinous

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: RISE OF RUINOUS

Chapter 32: On the Rayzor's Edge

The time: One week after Nightmare Night.

A shape runs through the Everfree Forest in a panic, tripping over branches and running through bushes.  Periodically, it looks over its shoulder, breathing hard and grunting on each trip and bush.  Another shape pursues the first one, hooves clopping on the ground in anger.  The two shapes rush through the forest, the larger one closing the gap.  The larger shape generates a magical field, throwing a ball of light at the smaller shape.  The ball of light connects, sending the small shape rocketing towards Ponyville, where it eventually lands with a clattering that neither wakes anypony nor attracts Nightmare Moon in a pile of garbage.

??? (larger shape): *SNORT!*

The larger shape trots back into the forest.

*INTRO SEQUENCE*

Twilight Sparkle, Spike and Trixie walk through Ponyville the next day, talking about their studies.

T.Sparkle: So, Trixie, how are things at Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns?

Trixie: *clears throat* Just got into ADVANCED!

Spike: !!!  In less than a year?  That takes some amazing skills, Trixie.

Trixie: Well, Trixie DID have a great tutor.

T.Sparkle: Who?

Trixie: The Great and Powerful Trixie!

Twilight Sparkle smirks.

Spike: YOU taught yourself?!  That takes real skill, Trixie, I'm impressed.

Trixie: Thanks, Spike.

Twilight Sparkle smiles as Spike and Trixie hug up.

Trixie: So, Twilight, you?

T.Sparkle: Well, I'm the personal student of Princess Celestia since the day I took my entrance exam.

Trixie: Entrance-exam?

Spike: You..... DIDN'T hatch a dragon egg?

Trixie: No, Trixie never DID take the entrance exam.

T.Sparkle: That's odd.  Shall we inform the Princess?

Trixie: *blink* Really?  You'd do that?

T.Sparkle: 'Course!  EVERYpony that goes to Princess Celestia's school has to take the entrance exam.  She doesn't just let ANYpony in.

Trixie: Gosh, thanks!

T.Sparkle (as Trixie hugs her and Spike): No problem, Trixie.  *hugs back*  Anything for a friend.

As the trio converse, a pair of sad eyes look on from a pile of trash.  It limps through Ponyville to Sweet Apple Acres.  Later on that day, Trixie, Twilight Sparkle and Spike were in Twilight's library when Applejack burst in.

T.Sparkle: !!!  Applejack!

Applejack: YOU!

Spike: Me?!

Applejack: Ya'll ate up a good number of my apples, ya scaly varmint!

Spike: NO!  Honest!  I was here all day!

The farm pony got in Spike's face, causing the little dragon to breathe heavily.  The lack of apples on Spike's breath made Applejack soften up quickly.

Applejack: Sorry, Spike, I just saw a load of my apples eaten ta the core and some claw marks and figured it was ya'll.

Spike: There's ANOTHER dragon in Ponyville?

Trixie: If it was small enough to sneak into your barn, it MUST be somepony's assistant.

T.Sparkle: Are you sure?

Trixie: And how much could that dragon Fluttershy spooked off eat?

Applejack: I also reckon he'd've split my barn wide open.

T.Sparkle: *nod* I see.

Applejack: I'll keep a lookout fer the little tyke.  And, sorry again, Spike.

Spike: No prob, AJ.

Applejack walks out of the library, the two unicorns exchanging glances.

Trixie: Do you think it's been.....

Spike: NO!  *Trixie startles up, eyes wide open*  Sorry.....

Trixie smiles, comforting Spike from behind.

Trixie: Trixie hopes she's wrong, but the possibility MUST exist.  If you were having to scavenge for food.....

Spike: Twilight would NEVER do that, and I can't accept that ANYpony would.

Trixie: Just because you don't see it, Spike, doesn't mean it doesn't exist.  I have to find it, before something worse happens!

Trixie dashes out the door, leaving Twilight Sparkle and Spike shell-shocked.  The showpony dashed around the town, looking around for whatever it was that ate Applejack's apples.  Racing near Sugar Cube Corner, Trixie heard a clanking sound and the sound of departing hooves.

Trixie: HEY!  Wait!

The departing shape dashed off as Trixie approached.  Trixie sighed, then turned around and took one step before she heard something in the pile of garbage near her.

Trixie: oh, my.....

Carefully, she removed the garbage to reveal the heart-breaking sight of a small powder-blue dragon about the size of Spike with white spines, weakened by neglect.  Trixie, knowing there was no time to lose, got the dragon on her back and rushed through town like a shot, her four hooves carrying her faster than ever before!  She bounded over Granny Smith, dashed under a cart and even ran past the café so fast, she inverted two umbrellas in the outdoor dining area!  Not even Rainbow Dash and Pitstop could keep up with her!

R.Dash: TWILIGHT!

Twilight Sparkle startled up at the sound of her name, galloping out as Trixie zipped past her library on the way to the hospital.  Even a downed cart didn't stop Trixie, the showmare jumping into the air, bounding off Rainbow Dash -

R.Dash: OOF!

• then Pitstop -

Pitstop: UGH!

• then a roof before making a mighty leap, aimed at the hospital's front entrance.  Trixie opened the door with her magic, skidding to a stop on the tile floor as she gets the dragon on a gurney, coming to a stop looking at the doctor!

Trixie: *points to the dragon* HELP HIM, NOW!!

That got all hooves on deck as Twilight Sparkle and the Wonderbolts walk in.

T.Sparkle: Trixie.....

Trixie: *turns to look at the three mares* Before you say another word..... *She gasps as she sees Spike, pointing to him* GET-HIM-OUTTA-HERE!

Twilight Sparkle turns and teleports Spike out of the hospital and back into the library.

Pitstop: Luv, what is it?

Trixie: I didn't want to have Spike see *shows them the dragon getting worked on* this.

All three gasp in shock as they see the little guy surrounded by doctors and machines.  Twilight Sparkle was particularly struck by this.

T.Sparkle: Oh, my.....

Trixie: *nod* Did you send that letter?

Twilight Sparkle produces it, holding it magically.

Trixie: I wish to modify it.

T.Sparkle: *nods, then floats a quill over*  Go.

Trixie: *clears throat*  Dear Princess Celestia,

There's been a dire discovery made in Ponyville.  I have discovered a small baby dragon the size and maybe age of Spike, powder-blue scales with white spines, in a garbage pile near Sugar Cube Corner.  I also have seen a pony dressed all in black rushing from the scene.  I need you to help me investigate this, for it is my fear that this... was no accident.

Sincerly yours,

The Worried and Hoping Trixie.

R.Dash: Trixie, I.....

Hooves echo from the front door as Applejack races in with a cart full of apples.

Applejack: Heard it from Apple Bloom.  Where's-the-dragon?

Trixie points to where the dragon is being worked on, Applejack's face dropping.

Applejack: Does Spike know?  *heads shake*  Good.  I dunno if he'd be able to handle it.

???: Handle what?

Applejack whirled.  Walking into the room were Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie Pie.

R.Dash: Trixie's thinking this dragon was abandoned on purpose.

Rarity: What dragon?

T.Sparkle: *points* Him.

Fluttershy: oh, my.....

The Mane 6 hold vigil outside as Trixie walks in, laying on the bed next to the sleeping dragon, careful of his many tubes and wires.  Meanwhile, her letter got to Princess Celestia.

P.Celestia: *reads it*  Luna.

P.Luna: Yes, sis?

P.Celestia: Get my roster book.

The moon princess nods, trotting by Nightmare Moon on the way to Princess Celestia's office.

N.Moon: Wassup?

P.Celestia: You don't wanna know.....

N.Moon: I'll take your word.

Princess Luna brings in the book, Princess Celestia looking at it.  She was able to find one student with that exact dragon and she wrote the name down.  She wraps up the scroll and gives it to Princess Luna.

P.Celestia: Get this... to Trixie.

P.Luna: OK, sis.

Nightmare Moon sees Princess Luna fly out of the room, looking at Princess Celestia.

P.Celestia: *sigh*  Trixie thinks a baby dragon she found was abandoned by its partner.

N.Moon: Who would DO such a thing?!

P.Celestia: I know who did..... and I THINK..... I may also know why.....

That night, in the hospital, Trixie was sleeping by the dragon on the covers, the dragon under the covers and monitored by doctors.  After the doctor leaves, the dragon awkens to see Trixie on the bed sleeping.

Trixie: *groans and awakens*  *yawn*  Oh, hey.

The dragon gasps, trying to hide under the covers.

Trixie: !!!  Hang on, hold on, no, please, stop, don't hide from Trixie, *etc.*

As soon as the dragon heard Trixie's name, he stopped trying to hide.

Dragon M: Your name is.....

Trixie: Trixie.

Dragon M: Trixie?  NOT Troyka?

Trixie: Who, may I ask, is Troyka?

Dragon M: My boss.

Trixie: Boss?  Trixie knows Twilight Sparkle and Spike, and Spike NEVER calls Twilight "boss", those two are more like siblings than boss and employee.

Dragon M: .....oh?

Trixie: Yeah.  Those two have a special bond.  *The dragon sniffles*  What?  What's wrong?

Dragon M: Troyka..... She *sniff* never liked me.....

Trixie: What?!  How can you say that?

Dragon M: I dunno..... But she hated me..... Said she wanted a griffon.....

Trixie: Oh, my.....

Trixie hugs the little dragon to her.  Twilight Sparkle smiles at this scene as Princess Luna flies in.

T.Sparkle: *bows* Princess Luna?

P.Luna: *nod* I come here with a note for Trixie.  May she be available?

T.Sparkle: Depends on what you mean by "available".

P.Luna: *looks* I see.....  *She produces the scroll written by Princess Celestia*  Please see to it she receives this correspondence.

T.Sparkle: *bow* I shall, Princess.

Princess Luna gives Twilight Sparkle the scroll and flies back to Canterlot.  The next day, Trixie and the dragon are chatting it up over breakfast when Twilight Sparkle walks in.

Trixie: Heya, Twi.

T.Sparkle: Good morning, Trixie.  I see your friend's up.

Dragon M: H-hello, miss.

Trixie: *giggle* Aw.  This is Twilight Sparkle.

Dragon M: H-hi.

T.Sparkle: hey there.  you ok?

Dragon M: Yeah.

Trixie: So, what's your name?

Dragon M: It's Rayzor.

T.Sparkle: Nice to meet you, Rayzor.  *She gives Trixie Princess Luna's scroll*  Princess Luna dropped this off for you, Trixie.

Trixie: Hmm.  *takes it and reads* ...........So, that's why.....

T.Sparkle: Oh?

Trixie: Troyka's exactly like Trixie, except-for-her-cutie-mark, that-is.  And she's also horrible to dragons.  She expected a griffon when she took the entrance exam.

T.Sparkle: And the picture on the egg cart wasn't enough of a tip-off?

Trixie: *smirk* Griffons don't breathe fire.

Both mares laugh.

Trixie: Seriously, dragons are the only companions for ponies in Princess Celestia's school since they're enchanted with the ability to give and receive scrolls.

T.Sparkle: *nod* Sometimes, she needs us for emergencies.  By the time a griffon flies up to Canterlot, grabs the scroll and flies back, it may be too late, even for a griffon as fast as Gilda.

Trixie: *sigh*  Trixie doesn't know how to state this, but.....  Troyka hates dragons.

T.Sparkle: HATES dragons?

Rayzor: *nod*  She never really tried to know me..... It's almost as if I embarassed her by being near her.

Trixie: Well, you are no embarassment.  Take it from Trixie.  Trixie never took the entrance exam, and she sees how close Twilight and Spike are.

Rayzor: I just wish I could be with somepony who'd appreciate me.

Trixie smiles, putting a leg around Rayzor.  Later that day, a unicorn similar to Trixie with a hat and wand as a cutie mark appeared in Ponyville.  The denizens gave the newcomer a wide berth, even standing way off to the side to keep out of her path.  She didn't mind it at all, carrying an air of self-importance and arrogance.  She trots to in front of Town Hall, smirking.

Mayor: Who are you?

The unicorn's eyes glowed and she made a stage appear out of a heckuva lot of smoke, fireworks, sparklers and lights all over!

???: Name's Troyka.

Troyka begins an elaborate display of her many magical powers.  The display was so drawn-out, the mayor got disgusted and walked off.  The display did not go unnoticed by Twilight Sparkle, Trixie and Rayzor as they and the rest of the Mane 6 walked to the library.

Rayzor: ...............

Trixie: What is it?

Rayzor: It's her!

Rayzor hid behind Fluttershy's hair, startling the yellow pegasus.  Trixie growled at the over-the-top display.

Troyka: Come one! Come all! Witness the power and show-stopping ability of the AMAZING AND UNBELIEVABLE TROYKA!!!

Trixie: Why that lowdown, arrogant whelp!  Get Rayzor in the library.

Trixie grunts as she gallops off towards Troyka's stage, the Mane 6 trying to herd Rayzor into the library.  Troyka saw the little dragon, however, and aimed a ball of light at it with an angry growl!

Trixie: Aw, no, ya don't!

Trixie jumped up in the path of Troyka's attack, blocking it with a ball of light of her own!

Rayzor and Mane 6: TRIXIE!!!

Trixie landed with a grunt right in front of Troyka, staring down the newcomer.

Trixie: Who the haybale do you think you are?!  Do you have no concept of what blessings you have?!

Troyka: Blessing?!  THAT little scaly misfit?

Trixie: YOU are the misfit, Troyka!  You are supposed to be friends with your dragon partner!  You hatched him for your entrance exam, for pony's sake!!

Troyka: *snort!*  And why should I care about that?!  Dragons are the scum of the world, scaly, stupid, arrogant, greedy, they should be all punished!

Trixie: ........That's where you're wrong, Troyka.  *Spike and Virtuna, curious as to why there was all the screaming, walk outside*  You and Rayzor were supposed to be partners, sending friendship reports to the princess, learning all you can about the magic of friendship.  But instead, you treated him like worse than dirt, abandoning him in a heap of garbage like an old boot.  When Trixie found Rayzor, the poor little guy was in horrible condition, and it was all your fault.  If he..... *clears throat*  If he didn't make it, how would you have felt?!

Troyka: Just fine.  After all, that's one fewer dragon to.....

???: ENOUGH!!!!!

Life seemed to stop dead cold as the enraged voice split the sky.  Twilight Sparkle slowly turned her head up and gasped.  There, on the topmost balcony of the library, wearing an expression angrier than she ever did before, was Princess Celestia.

P.Celestia: Trixie, stand aside.

Trixie: *nod* Yes, Princess.

With a final glare at Troyka, Trixie leaped off the stage as Princess Celestia landed where the showmare was.  As Trixie rejoined the Mane 6, Princess Celestia glared at Troyka.

P.Celestia:  I can't believe you, Troyka.  You have thoroughly disappointed me.  I look at other ponies and their dragon friends and I can't imagine seeing any of them abusing and neglecting them in this manner.  *Spike gasps, eyes tearing up, making Princess Celestia take a split-second look*  Dragons are not the beasts you say they are, they're creatures with hearts, with minds, with souls.  You treat them as less than you are simply because they're not ponies.  Your disregard for not only your companion, but also the principles of the school have forced my hoof.  This is the first time I've ever done this, but you leave me no choice.  Troyka, you are hereby expelled.

Troyka: WHAT?!

Spike and Virtuna: Whoa!

Trixie, Rayzor and Mane 6: WHAT?!

P.Celestia: The basis of the School for Gifted Unicorns is not supreme magical power, it's how well you can make friends.  That's why there are so many team-building activities in the basic classes.  As a side note, Trixie NEVER took a basic class, and yet, she can make friends better than you.  For all HER bravado, she periodically shows she's got a heart in the right place.  After all, she saved Rayzor.

Troyka: .......What?

Trixie: It's true, Troyka.  Your hatred for this little guy is disgusting to me.  You never got to know him, I doubt you even WANTED to.  All he was was a target to you, not a friend.  Look at *magipulls Spike and Twilight Sparkle together* these two.  They've done everything together.  Each has been there for the other through good, bad, terrific and terrible.  And he's been Twilight's faithful companion ever since she hatched him.  But you, you never gave him the chance to get that close to you, since he was under you because he's not the griffon you wanted.  That's appaling to Trixie and Twilight and Spike and Twi's friends and the princesses and everypony else around here.  You oughta be ashamed of yourself!

P.Celestia: And I will ensure that no one at the school can regard your name with anything but contempt.  *She writes a note on a scroll, sending it after she's done*  Now, let's see how YOU like being looked upon as a lesser being.  I'd advise you start running, unless you want EVERYpony in your hometown of Bitsburgh to know how despicable you are.

Troyka gasps, teleporting herself home quick!  Princess Celestia, however, smirks..... then holds up the scroll she just wrote!

P.Celestia: Gets 'em every time.

Virtuna: *laugh* Oh, my gosh, Princess, you are so random!

That got everypony, Spike and Rayzor laughing.  Rayzor hugs Trixie as the two laugh it up, smiling at each other after a while.

Virtuna: Daw!

Rayzor: *blinks at Virtuna*  Whoa!

Virtuna: Surprisin', huh?  Name's Virtuna.

Rayzor: How are ya?

Virtuna: Just great, now that that loudmouth's outta here.  HOOH!  "Amazing and Unbelievable", where did she get THAT?!

Twilight Sparkle smirks at a blushing Trixie.

Virtuna: ..............Oh, no.

Trixie: Not related.

Virtuna: Thank Celestia!

P.Celestia: You're welcome!

Virtuna gasps, then laughs, blushing.

Applejack: Whoops!

Virtuna: Man, what a rude, hurtful pony that Troyka was.  I may be able to fix problems, but I can't fix just unbelievably, indiscriminately and wantonly rude.  I mean, I may have gotten Nightmare Moon to not be jealous, I may have gotten Discord to use his chaotic powers for good, but I think I'd have an easier time gettin' Queen Chrysalis *Princess Celestia blinks at the mention of the changeling queen* on Princess Celestia's good side than I would tryin' ta fix Troyka.

P.Celestia: I'm not sure you'd wanna try either, Virtuna.

Virtuna: Look, I just read up on changelings.  They don't usually go out on raids like that.  Something HAS to be up.

P.Celestia: I always thought they were savage ravagers of feelings or something.

Virtuna: Even if they were, they don't usually invade other kingdoms.  And for her to try what she did durin' the anniversary, she must've been desperate for... something.  Look, I know it's a huge stretch, but I've patched further bridges.  I have helped many ponies understand each other, ever since I helped this one pegasus get a tryout with the Wonderbolts.

R.Dash: What's so special about that?  EVERY pegasus wants a tryout with the Wonderbolts.

Virtuna: THIS pegasus stood like *kicks her back right leg up* THIS.  *puts her leg back down*  She was born like I was - well, kinda - and her brother thought it was gonna stop her dream.  So he lashed out at others, especially me.  But once I got his sister a tryout with the Wonderbolts, he lightened up and we keep in touch a lot.  That's what led me to think, "Huh, I'll betcha I can talk ANYpony through ANY problems they may have with each other", and sure enough.....

P.Celestia: *nod* I see.  But even so, me and the Changeling Queen..... Bit of a stretch.

Virtuna: Look, Princess, if it's ANYthing my video games have taught me, it's this: The greater the challenge, the greater the reward.  And I feel as if if you can forgive her - or at least try to understand her - you'll both be better off.

P.Celestia: I hope, for everyone's sake, you're right.

Virtuna: *smiles* When have I EVER been wrong, Princess? I was right about Nightmare Moon and I was right about Discord.

P.Celestia: Perhaps.....

Spike: .....! Aw, SNAP!  I forgot to wrote that letter to Princess Celestia about Trixie's entrance exam!

T.Sparkle: Uh, Spike, I don't think that'll be necessary.

Twilight Sparkle, Spike and - more importantly - Princess Celestia watched as Trixie and Rayzor seemed to bond as if they were lifelong friends, the little dragon even setting up Trixie's magic show.  Princess Celestia pulls out her ledger and writes Trixie's name next to Rayzor's.  Virtuna murrs, heading into her arcade and spotting Verdescale.

Virtuna: Heya, Verdescale.

Verdescale: What's up, V?

Virtuna: I just want ya ta know, I'm not a unicorn, I didn't hatch ya, but I am super-appreciative for everything ya do around here.

Verdescale: *smile* I know.

The two friends hug up, murring a bit.  That night, Princess Celestia heads to her bedroom and pulls out a picture.  Her eyes tear up as she looks at it.

P.Celestia: I hope you're right, Virtuna.....

The sun goddess puts the picture in a drawer in her nightstand as Princess Luna and Nightmare Moon walk past.  In the Canterlot Caverns, Queen Chrysalis is looking at a picture.  The changeling looks up and puts the picture to her chest, tearing up as well.

TO BE CONTINUED