Trixie rounded a corner on the tips of her hooves in hot pursuit of the Lavender Rabbit. The tunnels were dark, and the walls and floors and the space in between all blended together into a formless miasma which Trixie raced through. The cries of the Rabbit had long faded into the constant, dull whispers which emanated from every direction. Trixie had only her galloping hoofsteps to keep her company; they beat in perfect concert with her heart as the only measure of the passage of time.

No matter how fast Trixie ran, she didn’t seem to be approaching anywhere at all. It was awfully boring, but at the very least Trixie never seemed to tire, either. Still, she was losing interest in the chase altogether. Her gallop gradually slowed to a canter, then to a trot, and then she finally halted.

There was nothing around Trixie, unfortunately. It was beginning to look like she’d never retrieve her hat from that accursed rabbit. But she paused, because that wasn’t the reason she’d come here in the first place, not at all. Why was Trixie in this dark, empty place, stuck in the interstice between dreams? She was surrounded by the abyss; she stared into it. Awfully dark, with nothing to be seen. A light spell? No use. She was visible herself, the only thing around. Why had she come? There was nothing for her here. She pleaded with still lips, with eyelids shielding the mist within from the mist without. The void nipped at her ear.

She’d come looking for her best friend Starlight Glimmer.

Starlight? Where was Starlight? She could help Trixie. Trixie needed to find Starlight.

Starlight.

The word spread out and came back again, tinged with the colours of a thousand different voices. They crashed against Trixie’s ears. She held as steadfast as a sea cliff, pale as chalk. A little piece of Trixie’s mind clove off the scarp and fell toward the ocean. It crashed into the waves, and when the spray and foam cleared, Trixie could see a small room before her.

It was nearly bare but for a narrow table and a mouse hole in the wall below it. Rabbit prints led from behind Trixie, tracking beneath her hooves and beneath the crossbar of the table’s legs, and disappearing into the mouse hole. A deep part of Trixie’s soul told her with a svelte voice, “Don’t look behind”.

Trixie’s neck was already twisted around nearly backwards, and she reluctantly cranked it around to her fore. The table held a tiny bottle, labelled “Drink Me”. Trixie had seen something like this before, in-

Starlight.

She was so close. Trixie examined the bottle, and saw that it contained a murky, purple fluid. She uncorked it, and sniffed the opening. The potion gave off no aroma, but held a faint magic that resonated with Trixie’s horn. Wanting to waste as little time as possible, Trixie swung the bottle up in her magic and prepared to-

Starlight.

Trixie blinked and sat up from where she’d toppled over on the floor. The potion contained within the bottle had changed in colour from purple to white. Regrettably, the sticky fluid had spilled onto the floor where the bottle had landed. There was about a teaspoon in all, cast about in little white puddles. Trixie leant over and lapped up the fluid like an animal.

Before long, she felt her body start to shrink. Her hooves were the first thing to-

Starlight.

Trixie emerged blinking from the mouse hole into a sunny garden, surrounded by forest. The only sound was the breeze brushing the tips of the trees overhead. Everything was the proper size here, and a long table was arranged in the centre of the clearing. The table was lined with empty chairs, half of which stood before empty place settings. Shining silverware and porcelain dishes dotted the white tablecloth haphazardly, all bereft of any refreshments. The table was decorated with odds and ends: a candelabra here, a vase of roses there, a mirror, a stuffed bear, and about twice as many teacups as were necessary. Not that one could have too many teacups, of course.

Trixie was feeling quite famished after her tribulations, and decided to go sit down for a while. Her hooves were killing her, and a free meal wouldn’t hurt, either. She didn’t see any servant ponies around, but they were surely made aware of her arrival in advance. Such were the perks of being a famous magician. She could imagine them busily working in the kitchen, wherever it must have been, and hurried to take her place at the table.

Trixie clambered into her seat awkwardly. She bumped the table in the process, and her rear hoof caught the tablecloth with a jerk. This caused her glass to pitch over onto the edge of her plate. A large crack spread across each, and Trixie scowled before levitating a new set over from the place next to her. Starlight chuckled from across the table.

“You alright over there?”

Trixie looked up from her plate. Sitting in the chair opposite her, not three feet away, was Starlight Glimmer. She smiled warmly at Trixie, who rolled her eyes in response.

“Trixie has everything under control. This is nothing compared to what Trixie has just been through.”

“I can imagine. I’m just glad to see that my best friend is OK.”

“Of course I, I mean, Trixie is! Why, she’s so great that she hasn’t had to use a bit of magic this whole time.”

Trixie stuck her muzzle up pridefully, but quickly lowered it towards the table. She glanced at Starlight through upturned eyes.

“But, Trixie appreciates your consideration.”

Trixie’s expression softened, and she allowed a weak smile. Starlight’s grin became embarrassed, and she pulled her head back shyly.

“It’s nothing. Sorry if those last few parts seemed a bit rushed. I’m still working, and there are a lot of areas I haven’t fleshed out yet. Just remember that if you’re ever lost, you can call my name anywhere in this land, and I’ll know where to find you.”

The pair gazed into each other’s eyes. Starlight reached her hoof out onto the tablecloth. Trixie kept hers close. Their smiles wavered slightly.

“So, Trixie takes it there aren’t any snacks coming?”

“Oh, right! Can’t have a tea party without snacks, right?”

The table was suddenly set with a plate of tea cakes and shortbread cookies. Each mare had an empty teacup at their place, and an ornate teapot sat between the two. Trixie noticed Starlight’s horn hadn’t lit, but elected not to broach the subject. Best not look a gift horse in the mouth and all.

Starlight took the teapot in her magic and softly poured herself a cup of tea. She took the cup to her lips and eyed it serenely, then took a long, delicate sip. The tea’s smooth aroma wafted over to Trixie, who lifted the teapot in turn. As it was halfway across the table, she took a closer look at the lid, which sat slightly ajar. A rat’s tail propped it up and trailed out of the teapot, and fine rivulets of blood ran a short distance down its exquisitely decorated exterior. Trixie stared for just long enough for Starlight to notice. She followed Trixie’s gaze and settled on the teapot’s lid, whereupon her eyes shot open. Choking on her tea, Starlight sputtered and swallowed. The teapot vanished from Trixie’s magical aura, and Trixie looked at Starlight inquisitively.

“Sorry about that! Like I said, still working some stuff out,” she managed hastily.

Trixie narrowed one eye. Starlight looked down ashamedly, avoiding Trixie’s face.

“I know it’s not perfect yet, but I’m working really hard, honestly. I want this place to be the best it can be. What my best friend deserves. Just give me-”

“Starlight.”

She raised her head and stared fearfully at Trixie. Trixie simply raised a hoof and smirked softly at Starlight.

“To be honest, I don’t quite understand everything that’s going on here. But I trust my best friend. You don’t need to hide anything from me.”

A frown flickered across Starlight's face, but she immediately replaced it with a large, toothy grin. The sunlight seemed to strengthen, as if a cloud had passed by without either of their noticing. The wind in the treetops continued to rush by.

They sat for a while, chatting idly as two friends who had last met too recently, and consequently didn’t have much new to say. Trixie was nibbling on a bit of cake when a breeze rustled her mane, and her ears perked up.

“Say, Starlight, you wouldn’t have happened to see a purple-ish rabbit run by here? She stole Trixie’s hat, and Trixie was trying to catch her when she found herself here.”

Frustration clouded Starlight’s visage.

“Really, none of them stick to their roles! If only they’d follow orders… ah! But your hat, yes, I’ve got it right here.”

She produced Trixie’s hat from beneath the table. Trixie snatched it out of Starlight’s grasp, beaming with joy.

“Trixie’s hat! You got it back for Trixie! She’s so glad you talked some sense into that stupid rabbit!”

Starlight made a strange glance sideways, and spoke through gritted teeth.

“Yeah, I certainly took care of her, all right…”

Trixie was too preoccupied with her hat to care much about any implications. Instead, she simply basked in the joy of a job well done. She hadn’t even realised how much she missed her hat. What a competent, resourceful mare Trixie was!

Glimmer’s sour mood was uplifted by the sight of Trixie sighing happily. She’d turned her head upward and had the hat laying atop her face. Trixie hardly said a word, but prideful giggles emanated through the felt. It made Starlight feel strangely forthcoming.

“You know, Trixie, not even this room is finished yet. I’ve been so busy, I haven’t had the chance to write out a part for the Mad Saddler, or the March Mare for that matter.”

Trixie’s voice slithered out from beneath the hat’s brim.

“The Mad Saddler? Trixie remembers that cat-pony mentioned something about her.”

“Yeah, she’s supposed to be here, but she’s still a few stitches short of a seam. Last time, she tried to sew Cheshire’s ears to her head again, never mind they’re already attached; I haven’t really been able to work it out of her, yet. And don’t get me started on the March Mare! Whenever I get her here, she’ll try to grab the others under the tablecloth, or stick her tongue in their ears, or some other indecent prank. How do you expect me to get things going according to plan like this?”

She slumped down with a huff. Trixie fixed her hat and decided to exercise her great and compassionate heart. Clearly, she saw, nopony was happy being stuck alone in a nonsensical little fantasy-world like this one, but maybe together…

“Anyway, this place isn’t quite ready for you yet, Trixie. It’s not perfect.”

Trixie’s brow furrowed at that. Weren’t they best friends? So what if it wasn’t perfect? And anyway, this place was extremely strange. Trixie knew Starlight well enough that she could get a bit antsy if she was stuck alone for too long. She had experience of her own, from long hours on the road between towns. What Starlight needed right now was her best friend in all of Equestria by her side.

“Don’t be silly, Starlight! This land may be somewhat … fantastic, for Trixie’s preferences, but we’re best friends! We stick together.”

The amicable glow in Starlight’s eyes was gradually being replaced by a cold, electric spark. She shook her head, slowly at first but increasingly violently.

“No, no, no, no! I’ve been trying so hard, and I’m always just this close to getting things right! I’ve been so rushed, and so busy, and had so little time, but I can do it! I promise!”

Trixie thought Starlight could use a friendly hoof to lean on, and maybe a hug. She scooted her chair back and turned from Starlight, setting a hoof on the ground. This only caused greater panic to Starlight in her frenzied state.

“Wait! Don’t leave! You can’t stay! I just, I just need some time!”

Starlight’s magic gripped Trixie in place forcefully. Starlight was an exceedingly powerful mare, and her magical aura was like being entombed in concrete. Trixie could barely breathe, much less speak, and resorted to frantically peering at Starlight from the corner of her eye.

Starlight rose from her chair and thrust her forehooves onto the table, leaning towards Trixie aggressively.

“Don’t worry, Trixie! It’ll all be ready soon! You’ll forget all about this, OK? Just wake up back in Ponyville, and-”

Starlight’s voice caught in her throat. She painted her face with a strained, melancholy grin.

“... And forget all about me, just for the time being. It’s for the best. You’ll see.”

Trixie tried to flail her hooves. She tried to shout, and to yell, and to scream at Starlight to stop. Trixie’s best friend was very powerful, granted, but her mental state had always been more fragile than Trixie’s. If she didn’t release Trixie now, if she sent Trixie away, Starlight might well spiral out of control. And if Trixie forgot all about her best friend, how in Equestria could she help.

It was too late for that. Starlight stepped closer to Trixie. She had a gentle depth to her cheeks that didn’t match the sharpness of her eyes. Starlight delicately lifted a hoof and caressed Trixie’s chin lovingly.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

Trixie could only see Starlight. Everything in their periphery faded to a dull grey. The edges of the world blurred inward, until only the two ponies remained. Trixie couldn’t tell if it was her consciousness fading, or if the world itself was growing darker.

Starlight spoke, muffled as if through a veil of water.

“Trixie … I … -ou …”

The only points of colour in the world were the violet fringes of Starlight’s irises.

She closed her eyes, and Trixie did the same. The world between them dimmed to black, and ceased.

Author's Note

Finished at about 4:48 am, 9/25/2024. I'm so tired.