Stars on the Horizon

Chapters

1 - Prologue
2 - Rough Night
3 - Ready? Begin.
4 - Quiche
5 - The Sanitarium

1 - Prologue

The sun’s set marked the end of the day’s light, its brilliant orange beams giving the painted rooftops one last kiss of warmth before dipping below the horizon. Already the streets began to cool, brisk winds lazily chilling the coat of any pony yet outside. Lanterns and streetlamps lit seconds later, providing light for all the couples that dined on cafe patios, guiding the way for the friends walking in the eve. Ponies of every make and status mingled casually, revelling in the serene peace and quiet that dominated most Canterlot nights.

Peace broken by the oncoming panting and clatter of hooves racing across the cobblestone. A bright blue pony rounded the street corner, hooves skidding across the ground as her cape billowed wide out behind her. “Pardon Trixie! She must be elsewhere now!” She called out ahead of time to the couple ahead of her, abruptly interrupting their conversation as she ran between them.

“Gah?! What a rude mare!” The elder of the two remarked bemusedly as they turned to watch Trixie run past,

“Was she wearing a cape?” The younger stallion looked less offended, more intrigued at the stranger than anything else.

“Yes, looked like something gaudy too. Quite ridiculous.” He hmphed before responding,

“You know, I heard of a magic show taking place today, somewhere in Underhoof Plaza. It had a picture of the magician, looked remarkably like that mare there.” Lip curling deviously, he smirked at this friend before continuing, “Perhaps we should check it out then.”

The elder mare gave him a quizzical look, eyes squinted as she tried to understand if he was serious or not, “And when is this show supposed to start?”

“As I recall, it was round about… now.”

“Hey when’s the show supposed to be?!”

“Do I have to pay for this?”

“Uhm, where’s the magic?!”

“Do you got refreshments?”

The voices cried out from behind as she slammed the cart door shut, a crowd full of ponies crying out at being ignored by her. She was finally able to breathe, breath coming hard and fast in gulps as she recovered from her sprint through the city. She collapsed to the ground, back held against the door as she placed a hoof on her chest, Trixie feeling her heartbeat steadily slow.

How had she been so late for her own show? She blamed marketing, placing posters all over the city would’ve been much easier if she had, for instance, more than herself to do it. Also didn’t help that hecklers had somehow managed to find her then, harassing her before she’d even put on a show yet. No matter, she stood resolutely in her mind as she sat on the floor, She would perform for all of them! Pulling herself to her hooves, she took a quick sip of water from a flask sat on a table before triggering the deployal of her stagecart’s namesake stage and performing her spiel through a magically projected voice.

“Come one come all, come and witness the amazing magic of the Grrreat and Powerful Trrrixie!” She appeared on the stage in a flash of smoke and light, glitter and bolts of light whirring in the air around her, “Watch in awe as the Great and Powerful Trixie performs the most spectacular feats of magic ever seen by pony eyes!” Little reaction came from the crowd, those closest to her looking on almost right past her. Not a reaction she was unfamiliar to now, but it wouldn’t deter her. They were about to be astounded by her show.

Twilight held Rarity tight, arms wrapped around her friend’s neck as she tried to steady herself. “You’ll be fine in there dear, do you hear me? Do not worry yourself.” She nodded her head, nose buried in Rarity’s mane, the mare seemingly not caring in the least as she comforted Twilight. The halls of Canterlot's castle were quiet aside from her calming breathing and the reassuring murmurs from her friends. She’d already had the same reaction with her four other friends here, each of them giving her their best looks of confidence, and felt her heart surge a moment from their love.

Right, she had this, she had to. Like Pinkie Pie postulated earlier, maybe it was just a really awkwardly worded invitation to a party:

‘My Dear Student Twilight, I have dire need of you in Canterlot immediately. A situation requires your presence, and it requires your friends as well. Gather them and board the next express to Canterlot immediately.

Arrive soon, and safely.’

The Princess hadn’t even signed it with her name, an attribute Twilight didn’t think her teacher the kind to forget. She could only imagine Celestia suddenly hit with some dire news before sending a quick letter to her, already enacting backup plans and preparing Equestria for some potential trouble. Pulling away from Rarity’s embrace, Twilight cleared her throat and shook herself clear of remaining worries, “Don’t worry girls, I’ve got this.” She tried telling herself it as well, but couldn’t sound confident about it either way.

“Darn right you’ve got this, now you go and find out what the Princess is asking yer for, sugarcube.” Applejack was right, it was high time she found out what the Princess needed. Stepping foot in Celestia’s bedroom, she took note of the frantically writing Princess sitting at her writing table, ink spilled across her hooves as she held its sides tightly, quill held by magic scratching at paper so fast Twilight worried it’d ignite.

“Princess Celestia? It’s me, Twiligh-” The quill stopped and the white alicorn threw her head back, heaving an exhausted sigh, startling Twilight as she expected her teacher to be more composed.

“How good that you’ve arrived, dear student of mine.”

“Is something wro-”

“And not a moment too late.” She abruptly pushed her chair back, legs screeching against the flooring and making Twilight flinch, though Celestia seemed to hear nothing, “It’s no easy matter for me to summon you like this, and the knowledge of what I ask makes no simpler.”

Her student listened carefully, waiting patiently as a ragged and stressed Princess stepped up to her, a slouch in her teacher’s posture almost making her look Twilight in the eyes. “I have received news of anomalies in the Crystal Empire, and their… peculiarity has sparked certain concerns in I. You are the only pony I trust to go there and uncover a few things for me.”

Anomalies? Peculiar anomalies in particular? She wished had the same news Celestia had, or that she could understand what certain concerns were being spoken of. Twilight motioned for her to continue regardless, “Of course, please just tell me what I can do to help.” A smile appeared on the Princess’ face, like she’d only now allowed herself a moment to be happy.

“How lucky did I get to have a student such as you? Ahem, excuse me. I need you to travel to the Crystal Empire with your friends, and uncover the origins of and connections to King Sombra’s rise to power.” Twilight’s jaw dropped, was Sombra coming back?! “Sombra is, to my knowledge, still well and truly gone. But no matter will be put to rest until I can understand something, that which something you will discover for me.” Another heavy sigh escaped Celestia, the mare looking almost regretful that this was happening at all.

“As loath as I am to do this to you, you and your friends must go there immediately. A special train is ready to leave for the Crystal Empire and is waiting at the station for your arrival.”

“But, what should I be on the lookout for? Is there some oddity or mystery I need to find or what even are these anomalies you ment-”

“Please, Twilight. We have neither the time or I the ability to tell you exactly what is happening. I will enact whatever prudent contingencies I have in the meantime, and if all goes well you will report back home with no ill news. Please, go, and be safe.” She turned to go back to her table, quill already in her telekinetic grip once more and writing away at letters that Twilight had no angle to see. With little left to say then, she left the room, muttering a farewell as she returned to her anxious friends.

“Soooo, was I right?” Pinkie’s excited little smirk was almost smug, the pink mare eager to be vindicated about her surprise party idea. Rainbow Dash rolled eyes and looked ready to debate Pinkie about the likelihood of it before Twilight finally spoke up,

“We’d better get going, I’ll tell you girls on the way.”

After sun’s set…

“So we’re really supposed to just up and go there so we can, what, read history books…?” Rainbow trailed off, tongue held out in disgust at the thought. Twilight mentally rolled her eyes at the thought, Celestia would've already had the books here in Canterlot if it were so simple as that. Their pace kept her from responding though, hooves hitting the cobbled streets rather noisily as they tried to make good time on arriving to the train station.

“I’m of a certain mind as well, shouldn’t knowledge like this also be available here in Canterlot, darling? Perhaps the Royal Library even?” Rarity’s question made Twilight shake her head and slow down a moment. It seemed they didn't understand how exactly urgent it was they leave.

“I’m afraid not, you didn’t hear how insistent she was in there. I couldn’t even get a sentence out before she’d let me know that we had to be off immediately for whatever was in the Crystal Empire.”

Her glamorous friend hummed as she looked thoughtfully at her hair, “Well, perhaps it won’t be so boring a trip. I’m sure those crystal ponies have some fascinating new hair product that would do wonders for moi.”

“Are ya’ll forgetting that there might be some trouble needing fixing up there?”

“Of course not, darling!” Rarity’s rebuke earned only an amused scoff from Applejack, “Why, after we’ve solved the problem and helped the Princess out with her issue, we’ll have plenty of time to do a little shopping and sightseeing before coming home.” Twilight stayed quiet, their pace still slowed as she let herself ponder the issue a little more. What was she expecting to find out there? Would she disappointed if she didn’t find anything?

A familiar voice began to fade in over the evening’s quiet, overshadowing the petty argument happening beside her. Alongside it was the grumbling of a dissatisfied crowd. Seconds later, and their words became audible, with a nearby alleyway leading directly into the nearby plaza. Who exactly was it she heard? It itched at the back of her brain, annoying enough that she decided to investigate, turning off down the alley and startling her friends. “I thought we were gonna go ride the train?”

Pinkie’s question could wait a second, Twilight exiting out onto Underhoof Plaza and seeing the one and only stage and performance of the oh so Great and Powerful Trixie. “Ooh I’d heard there was going to be a show here tonight! I didn’t know it was gonna be Trixie though!”

She turned to face Pinkie Pie, who’d appeared right next to her with a surprised smile on her face, “You knew about this already?”

“Well duh, didn’t you see all those posters everywhere on the way to the castle? Didn’t get a good look at the pony on them, but they said magic show alright!” She was too embarrassed to admit that she’d been too preoccupied with her anxiety to notice much of anything before meeting with Celestia. “Oh please Twilight, can we stay and watch for just a minute? It’s been a hot potato second before I’ve gotten to see any big performances lately! And you look like you need a hot potato second to take a break too!” Her mouth opened in protest but… something felt off, like a subtle knotted string in the back of her mind, being pulled toward the show like a leash.

They approached the crowd, the other ponies within shouting and heckling Trixie ahead of them, and she hoped to hide among them without gaining the magician’s notice. It failed almost immediately with the showpony calling her out, “Hah! Has the Princess of Friendship come to witness true magic ability on the stage? Witness my-” Cut off by a loud shout from the crowd,

“What magic ability?! You pulled a rabbit from a hat!” Laughter erupted from the crowd, a young stallion succeeding at a good reaction better than any of Trixie’s feats had.

“Silence! That was merely the first act! None of you have even had chance before to see real magic before your very eyes! Twilight Sparkle, prepare yourself!” Twilight shrunk back, uncomfortable with being called out like this when she already had trouble aplenty on her mind. Maybe this wasn’t the greatest idea, she thought to herself as she slowly backed away from the show.

“Watch, one and all, as the Great and Powerful Trixie will walk on the very air!” Trixie’s horn flashed with energy for a second before popping, sparks flying out in a magnificently flashy manner. Then, as though it was as solid as the ground, she began climbing the air like it was a small flight of stairs, stopping only a couple feet in the air before prancing around her stage. She bounced along her imaginary ground, expecting clapping and the sounds of admiration before a dirty tomato was thrown at her head. The measly fruit didn't hit hard enough to hurt the mare, but the shock hit her hard enough to break her concentration, and the illusion fell away to reveal Trixie stood stock still on her stage.

“I- Who threw that?! Show yourself to Trixie!” The crowd erupted into jeers at the mare and cheers for the assaulting individual, the same young stallion from before who now puffed his chest out proudly.

“Can’t even do an honest bit of magic, can you?! All illusions and schoolhouse tricks. Get out of Canterlot, charlatan!” It seemed the whole plaza was ready to chase and boo Trixie out of the city, utterly unamused with her show, save for two large cloaked ponies near the front of the crowd, hoods hiding their identities strangely well. They merely watched, expressions unreadable.

“You- gah, you! Princess Twilight, show yourself! Did you have a hoof in this?!” What?! How could Trixie even think that she had a say in this? She literally just showed up herself! Why was she being singled out like this?

“I’m afraid you’re wrong there, Trixie. I’ve really got to be going, excuse me please.” A flurry of emotions flew across the showmare’s face, from confusion to fear to finally anger, ears flicking incessantly in odd directions to showcase some strange discomfort. Her horn lit up brightly, flaring light having lost its sparkling beauty from earlier. Sparks flew from it, magic crackling in the air as it clumsily escaped her grip, like a foal attempting their first spell. Before either mare truly understood what was happening, a small beam of power shot from Trixie’s horn, hitting Twilight true in the cheek.

“Assault on a Princess of Equestria; Royal Guard of Canterlot, you officially have permission to take her in.”

“What?!” The light vanished from the mare’s horn, surprised at even herself that she’d do such a thing. Her gaze landed on Twilight, horror appearing on her face as realization of her crime sank in. Twilight turned to leave, pain radiating from the knock and shock from her heart that she’d just been struck by someone so suddenly. The logical part of her only took notice of one cloaked figure now, hood fallen to reveal a hulking unicorn in guard’s armor, plainly the one who commanded those now surrounding Trixie’s cart. She… She needed to go.

There was no way, that… couldn’t have happened! Trixie would’ve never attacked someone like that, that just wasn’t her! But, it just… That wasn’t her! “Trixie Lulamoon, by authority of Princess Celestia, you are hereby arrested for the assault of Princess Twilight Sparkle. Anything you say can and will most certainly be used against you in a court of law.” The mare at the head of the guard barked at her subordinates, demanding she be brought in, and lucidity returned to Trixie. No, she wasn’t going to be arrested for this, not for something she didn’t do!

Standing up on two legs, she watched as two ponies approached on either side of her. “You’ll never catch, the Grrreat and Powerful Trrrixie!” She leaned backwards, tipping over while the previously silent crowd gasped, guardponies leaping forward to catch her. Poof, she disappeared in a puff of light and smoke, the trail instantly cold.

“Great… Well?” The guardponies looked to their leader, unclear of orders, “What’re you lot looking at me for? Go get her!”

Author's Note

After having recently been inspired by the new Tamers12345 series, I was really motivated to return to this series and finally offer something of my own to the fandom that has provided amazing content throughout many years of my life.

Feedback is highly appreciated, as my train of thought gets progressively messier the longer I write; there's likely some things to be fixed already.

2 - Rough Night

Reappearing in a drastically less dramatic fashion than she departed, Trixie took a moment to gather what exactly had just happened. Wanted by the Royal Guard for assault on a Princess, assault that she wasn’t so sure she actually done no matter they said she did, well that threw a wrench into things. How exactly was she meant to get her cart and get-

“Hey! She’s over there!” Oops. Taking a look around herself, she found she’d only gone about twenty meters behind her stagecart. She surprised even herself sometimes.

“Don’t let the fugitive escape!” Armored pegasi taking to the sky while unicorns rounded her home, the time to stop and think had well passed. Taking to a quick gallop, Trixie fled Underhoof Plaza, diving down the nearest alley onto the next street ahead. The night being early, ponies aplenty yet lingered on the candlelit streets, partaking in meal, drink, and conversation alike. All of which were rudely interrupted by Trixie bowling through them with a parade of guardsponies following behind her.

“Excuse the Great and Powerful Trixie would you?” She cried out behind her as she ran, mares and stallions behind her bemoaning their ruined evening. So far so good, she had a small lead on her pursuers, but a little lead meant nothing when they could simply- swoop! The flap of wings above her head gave her a second to react, and she reacted as only she could: lighting her horn up in a menacing display of sparkles and glitter. The pegasi overhead backed off, in anticipation of some deadly spell the mare wasn’t even capable of. Well, nice to see that worked.

Losing speed dodging all these pedestrians on the roadway, some of whom even seemed like they’d aid in catching her, she took the next available alley on her left. It ended in a t-shape, leading to a building’s back wall and letting out to either the left or right. Only moments before the guard would round the same corner as her, she whipped up a quick illusion. Turning quick to the right, she conjured a simulacrum of herself waiting in the alley long enough to be seen before running off to the left. That would give her a second before they realized the deception. Didn’t help however with a unicorn who appeared right in front of her in a flash of magic, “Hah, gotcha! Wait, what?”

In front of the guard stood only a box of flowers swaying softly in the breeze, Trixie no where to be seen. “Sarge was right, mine needs work…” The unicorn raced off towards the sound of her comrades, ashamed to have missed Trixie so easily. As soon as the mare’s back was turned, Trixie revealed herself, magic sliding off her cape and hat like wet paint and revealing that she’d been in plain sight. Perhaps poor timing on her part, as a pegasus overhead called her out almost immediately, starting the chase up once again.

Rounding a corner she saw another alley, galloping into it before they could catch up to her. Another t-shape, she had to choose again quick, and she doubted she could pull the last trick again. Instead, turning down the right exit this time, she left a projection of herself on the building’s wall, making it appear as though it was another alleyway to run down. A second later she heard a loud crash as metal armor hit brick, a voice stunned voice wailing “Who put a wall here?!”

A greater lead now than she had before, she exited the alleys on a street actually quite similar to her illusionary one, and a moment of confusion hit her. Where even was she? Unlike some ponies, Trixie was unable to tell any of these streets apart from each other; all of the lamps, storefronts and brick homes began to fade into one another. Except… Off down the road to her right, a night market began to pop up. A sprawling maze of stalls and ponies who love the night, what better way to get lost than amidst those hawking their wares and those buying? She hurried towards it, urged by the sounds of the quickly recovering guard behind her.

“There! Corporal Flitting, stop her!” She almost couldn’t hear it above the noise of the crowd ahead, but by Celestia she would’ve never lived it down if a pegasus snatched her up here and now: Her horn flashed brilliantly, smoke flowing out of it like water while it sparked wildly. The pegasus, again, backed off, unaware of Trixie’s true power and unwilling to test it. She wondered if she could do that trick a third time.

The guard on her tail, she was finally able to shake them upon reaching the market, slipping into the gathered crowd and mingling amongst the mess of multi-colored wares and ponies. “Gah, Corporal Flitting, do you have a visual on her? Look for that gaudy bleeding hat and cape!” She watched the pegasus up above salute before peering closely at everyone below him, the armored white stallion eager to not let her escape him again. A smile flashed on his face before he dive-bombed towards the ground, a flash of fear touching Trixie’s heart before she heard another sound,

“Good Celestia! What in heavens name do you think you’re doing?!” A noble mare shoved the stallion off of her, pulling herself to her hooves after having been thrown to the ground.

“Did you just assault my wife?!” An elder stallion walked up and slapped the corporal across the face, and Trixie finally got a look at the couple. She supposed the purple ballgown could be mistaken for her cape at a distance, but that purple mess of a hairstyle, how in Equestria did that even look like her hat?

“I’m so sorry madam and sir, we’re chasing a fugitive on the run and-”

“And you thought my wife looked even remotely like your fugitive?! I’ll have you taken off the force immediately! Who do you think you are, assaulting my wife like that; do you know who I am?!” Trixie hadn’t even needed to use her magic here, clearly the corporal was doing fine on his own. The sound of others forcing their way through the crowd towards her and the nearby commotion brought her back, and she pushed her way deeper into the market.

After that little debacle, and her luck stumbling into the night market, she was able to evade her pursuers. No guardponies on her immediate trail, she finally took that moment to herself to think. Why exactly were they chasing her? That whole… series of events there, back at her show, it eluded her. She understood that Twilight showed up, that her audience was heckling her, and that she’d been angry. Outside of that? It felt like a fog settled on her brain when she tried to remember, as though her mind itself didn’t want to think about it. It was uncanny almost, how easily she forgot something that had happened less than half an hour ago.

Didn’t change the facts in the least; she needed to get out of the city, get far away from most ponies in general. This wasn’t going to just disappear, not if she didn’t disappear herself. Taking a long and convoluted path back to Underhoof Plaza, her need for subtlety being complimented by just how lost she was in this grand city, she made it onto a thin road sitting at the plaza’s edge. It was mostly deserted, ponies seemingly uninterested in staying after the whole mess earlier, save for a few guardsponies who yet kept watch. How was she to get her home and stage out of this?

Pop. Might not get the chance to try, as the guard’s large leader teleported right in front of her. Her helmet was tied by belt to her waist, giving Trixie a clear few at the towering mare’s glowering brown eyes, teeth held dangerously tight in a grimace. She flicked back a strand of black hair from her face before speaking, grey fur wrinkling around her mouth, “Trixie Lulamoon. By authority of Princess Celestia, you are hereby under immediate arrest. Remain still.” It sounded like a threat, almost beastial from the angry mare, Trixie’s hackles raising in response. She spun on her back hooves, prepared to begin the chase again, but was greeted by the pegasus from earlier cornering her.

She flashed her horn again, its tip exploding in as many lights and sparks as she could muster, only to be met with a swift hoof to the face by the stallion. Fool me twice…

The rumble of the train’s wheels on the track below was an easy thing to focus on, a constant companion on long rides that one could drift off to. In simpler times, when nothing pressed on her mind, Twilight might’ve done just that, just to make the trip quicker. Tonight, far too much weighed on her to notice the motion in her seat.

As if the mystery posed by Celestia wasn’t trouble enough, she couldn’t quite get what Trixie had done out of her head. She’d been hurt before, she wasn’t so fragile that the blow wounded her – in fact it hardly hurt at all -, but why did it happen in the first place? “You sure yer alright? You’ve hardly said a word since Trixie attacked you.” Applejack scooted closer to her, concern greater now than it had been all day. Her friends had been in an uproar after it happened, something she was quick to stifle on their way to the train station.

“It’s okay, really. I don’t know why she did it, but clearly she’s got something of her own to sort out now. I- We’ve got something to focus on in the Crystal Empire.” Right, she needed to get her head in the game. Whatever Trixie’s problem with her was, it could wait until they completed the mission and returned to Celestia successful.

“Umm, maybe making a plan would be helpful?” Fluttershy’s suggestion brought a smile to her face, knowing that Twilight only needed something she could act on instead of waiting around helplessly.

“Right. Girls, we’ll have to split up if we’re to find anything. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow, I need you two out talking to whoever you can on information. There has to be at least one Crystal pony who remembers when Sombra ascended to power,” The two saluted, Rainbow’s stern and confident while Pinkie threw her whole body into the motion, almost toppling over, “Applejack and Fluttershy, I need you two searching for more obscure avenues; not all knowledge is kept in books and ponies. I’m sure you can dig up something.” They nodded, ready for whatever came next, “Lastly, Rarity and I will look through the archives there for whatever we can find. Some of their scrolls haven’t been transcribed to modern books yet, so we have to cross-reference what we already know with-”

“Oh darling, as lovely as that sounds, are you sure I'm best suited to digging through old books? Perhaps I could swap with Pinkie Pie-”

“No,” Twilight shook her head, “I know, ‘reading through history books’ like Rainbow said, but some of the texts stored there are ancient and can’t be handled by anything but a gentle unicorn’s magic. Plus, I know your keen eye will come in handy.”

“Oh alright, no need to flatter me you know, I’ll help you with whatever it is you need dear.” There they had it, a plan well and set to go. If only it didn’t feel like she was forgetting something, somepony. Spike had been left back in Ponyville, Twilight unwilling to disturb his sleep schedule in case it wasn’t something so severe. She would’ve gone back for him regardless had Celestia not already readied a train to take them. Perhaps she could request he come later, when she’d settled for a moment in the Crystal Empire.

But he wasn’t that somepony, was he? She would just have to deal with the nagging sensation, not a single thought bringing to mind this other pony. Rest called to her, for they wouldn’t arrive in the Crystal Empire till the morning, “Goodnight everypony, I’ll see you in the morning. Thank you again for coming with me.”

Clunk! The cell door slammed shut rather shakily, hanging loose on its hinges. Not that it was knowledge she could use, Trixie’s magic had been stifled by the inhibitor on her horn. Sat in a cell with a single toilet and some coarse hay on the ground to lay on, she felt disappointed. For such a grand city, capital of Equestria, she’d expected a slightly grander holding cell. “You are to stay here until such a time comes as an appropriate authority can judge you.”

She turned to face the voice, but the stallion was already walking off. Now what was the Great and Powerful Trixie to do? Arrested and in prison, home and livelihood now held by the guard, even stripped of her favorite hat and cloak, she truly was in a real stinker. A small voice in the back of her head echoed the thought before remarking how lucky she’d been to have made it this far at least. Like that whole debacle in Ponyville with the Alicorn Amulet, or how about that one time she lit half of Coltsthame ablaze with a rogue firework? She’d pledged to use magical fireworks from then on.

Silence. Was she the only one even in this prison? “Hello? Anypony out there? Trixie could use some water please.” No response, the only noise being the wind blowing against the walls of the building and her cell door’s light squeak as it wobbled on its hinge. Had she just been locked away and left behind?

Minutes passed, the only thing letting her know that time hadn’t simply frozen being those two incessant sounds, moonlight leaking into view from some out of sight window down the empty hall. Was this to be Trixie’s fate? Would she die in this place? Even if she did get out, her property was gone. A traveling magician wasn’t much of one if she couldn’t even accomplish the traveling part. Sniffle, what was she supposed to do now?

“My, despairing already?”

“Gah!” She screamed, falling to her flank on the hard ground. The figure had simply appeared before her cell, startling her with a powerful feminine voice spoken with a strength she’d never heard in her life. Incredibly tall, the cloaked stranger would’ve looked down upon Trixie even if she weren’t sat on her rear, “Wha- Who are you?” The stranger, a mare by the voice, laughed cheerfully at the display,

“Only somepony who greatly enjoyed the show you put on.” She tilted her head, confused. In that whole crowd of hecklers, it was this towering, mysterious mare who liked it? Not that she was complaining, but it’s odd to say the least. “Not the parlor tricks of course, though they were fine on their own,” Oh, “But the chase was a thrill! Celestia’s royal guard, eluded easily with only a handful of flashy moves. Such performances in Canterlot are rare indeed!” Well that was still a compliment, one Trixie was proud to accept,

“Of course! The Great and Powerful Trixie is a master of all forms of magic!” The stranger’s laugh came louder, more arrogant this time,

“No, you’re not.”

“Excuse me?”

“Your illusions, lets be honest, were quite pathetic. A foal could’ve deciphered them, if given more than a second. Your prancing in the air was more convincing, and anypony could tell it was merely a simulacrum imitating your movements.” Her jaw dropped, first flattered then devastated by this mare’s words. “Tell me, why did you attack the Princess?”

Her voice caught in her throat, words trying to worm their way out to explain herself alongside a menagerie of ‘uhms, ahhs, eehhs’. She hardly knew why- what happened herself, how was she supposed to explain it? “I… I don’t know. I can’t even remember how it happened.”

“Hmm. You have a history with the Princess, correct? I sensed a certain hostility between the two of you.” This stranger either had impeccable information or their instincts were on point, though Trixie didn’t know which concerned her more. Even moreso than that, the figure seemed to be pressing closer to her cell bars, shadowed eyes burrowing ever deeper into her being.

“Ah- yes. Yes, Trixie has had… trouble with her before.”

“Do go on, did she start it with you?” She shook her head, shameful memories returning to surface,

“A fair bit was, perhaps, Trixie’s fault. To a degree.”

“Interesting.” Was it really? Was admitting that she had been responsible for much of the bad blood all that interesting? “One last question: If you could leave this cell freely and do anything, what would it be?” Tough question for the traveling showmare, what would she want to do? Numerous ideas flew through her head, popular ones like wealth or fame lodging themselves in there. But they had their drawbacks. Being rich and famous would be great and all, but something didn’t sit right in her about not having earned any of it. Becoming actually Great and Powerful were a temptation on their own, but she remembered the Alicorn Amulet and how just being given power had ruined her.

She wanted to be the Grrreat and Powerful Trrrixie, Equestria’s premier traveling showmare, who ponies gathered from far and wide to witness. The Great and Powerful Trixie who’s amazing performances awed even the Princesses, who’s grandeur stunned the most wise wizards. She could swear she almost saw a small nod from the stranger ahead of her, but gave her answer all the same, “I would learn enough magic that you couldn’t call my illusions pathetic again.” Even under the hood, she could see a smile emerge on stranger’s face.

“Brilliant. Awe even the Princesses, correct?”

“Wait, how did-”

“Your face is as easy to read as the daily paper, but I admire the effort.” Ah, but it was all for naught, wasn’t it? She was still stuck in this cell, homeless even as her home had been confiscated. Odds weren’t great on her actually fulfilling her dream. “Alas, how grand it would be indeed if someone of authority came and freed you from your punishment, perhaps with an apprenticeship to match.” She nodded along, that would be the dream scenario indeed.

“If only I could be so lucky.”

“I, ugh, yes of course-” The figure tore the hood off her head, a cloud of night sky and stars billowing out. How it fit in there was anyone’s guess, though it did finally reveal their identity. Princess Luna asked her question, “Will you be my one and only student, Trixie Lulamoon?”

Author's Note

Quite the treat getting a second chapter out. My initial premise was all of this being in the first chapter was well, but that turned out to be a bit too long for my taste. Glad to see some are actually liking it so far! Stay tuned, as this has only been just the start.

3 - Ready? Begin.

“Will you be my one and only student, Trixie Lulamoon?” Pardon? Had the Princess of the Night, the former Nightmare Moon, Princess Luna herself, asked Trixie to become her personal student? What?! She didn’t know whether to count her cape’s lucky stars or question how, or even why, this was happening. Bare flank sat on a cold and dirty cell floor, the last thing she’d dare imagine come to meet her was royalty, and yet here it had happened to fast. Did the Princess truly even want her as a student? Did she misunderstand what was happening here, and it was instead some kind of joke? She looked back at Luna’s face, hoping to interpret exactly what was going on in that dark mare’s expression. A smug smirk wasn’t what she imagined herself seeing, but the Princess almost seemed to be enjoying her confusion.

“You will, won’t you? I can’t imagine how much more appealing it is to stay here in this cell, your judgement unclear and your home taken from you.” Trixie could only stare; even if Luna’s words rang true, that the Princess would goad her somehow ran against what she had always imagined Celestia’s sister to be, “It would satisfy your wish, would it not? To learn real magic from I, I am most certain that you shall not find it lacking.”

A once in a lifetime offer, given to her on a silver platter in a rat’s den. The audacity of it all, the sheer absurdity of her night so far, she almost dared not believe it. But the Princess was right, Trixie had no other option, save awaiting her fate at the hands of Celestia’s Royal Guard. She had no desire to see that out, whatever it turned out being. The smile on Luna’s face grew even wider, anticipating Trixie’s resigned reply, “I… accept. Please, Princess Luna, take me as your student.”

“Excellent. Lieutenant Grand Shine, please permit my student exit of your custody.” From the edge of her cell she saw a mare step forth, as though they’d been there the entire time. The same gray mare that’d caught her on the edge of Plaza!

“Of course, your Highness.” Without a hint of emotion, save duty, they grabbed the keys latched to their belt and undid the lock on her cell. Its hinges screeched as it swung open, Trixie’s hooves flying up to protect her ears, the other two ponies seemingly unaware there’d been any sound at all.

“Thank you, Lieutenant. You are hereby informed that this pony here, Trixie Lulamoon, is my student. Take care to keep it in mind.” Luna spoke like it was simply procedure, eyes kept firmly on Trixie even as the other unicorn stepped back away,

“But of course, the message is loud and clear, your Highness. Your student shan’t find any trouble from us.” Stepping outside of her cell, Trixie first glanced towards where the guard had stepped off towards, only to find them already gone. Strange, she hadn’t heard them running, or even the telltale pop of teleportation.

“Princess,” Her first question as Luna’s student, “How did she just do that? She just disappeared into thin air!”

“Oh!” Luna looked surprised, not at the missing lieutenant but at the question asked of her, “My, eager to learn already? Not to worry, you’ll learn in time. Safe to say the Lieutenant did not indeed disappear, I’d just rather we be alone for the moment. Come, follow.” The Princess started off down the hall, passing by multiple empty cells, the only sound the wind brushing against the walls outside and Trixie’s hooves against the stone beneath them. “Now I really must inform you that there are limitations to this relationship,” Trixie leaned in close, Luna’s voice taking a more stern tone as she continued, “This is no pardon, as while I can unofficially free you in this manner, in the eyes of Celestia’s law you are still a criminal potentially guilty of crimes as dire as treason.”

Her heart sank and her pace slowed at that, a criminal guilty of treason?! How had her simple little magic show in Underhoof Plaza gotten her implicated in treason? “However in the meantime as my student, any sentencing that may await you will be delayed, perhaps even canceled, as well as a pardon arranged for you in the event that you prove yourself worthy of being my student.” Luna’s words came as little comfort to her, the sole voice in the silent building somehow compounding upon her what a sudden series of events she’d gone through. Her pace slowed further, as she wondered what she had truly gotten herself into.

“Trixie? Are you not coming?” She found herself stopped, Luna ahead of her looking back with concern. She shook her head, clearing her head enough to keep moving,

“It’s nothing, Princess.” Not entirely, as her next question came to her, “When will I get my stagecart back?” A sigh escaped the Princess, though what it was directed at she couldn’t tell,

“You won’t get it back until you receive said pardon. A criminal such as yourself isn’t entitled to such possessions until you can clear your name. That’s Celestia’s law.”

“Oh.” They continued on, passing many more empty cells before exiting out onto Canterlot’s streets, the moon high overhead. It appeared barren out, streetlamps still lit and bright yet illuminating no other pony, “Can I have my hat and cape back?” Luna visibly cringed, giving Trixie a side-eye before carefully responding,

“Do you have to?”

A short time and distance away, Luna had guided them outside of the city’s walls, into what remained of Canterlot’s sparse wilderness. The city’s expanding limits and needs had claimed much of nature’s bounty, but enough beauty remained for those who knew to find it. A small distance down a side road away from Canterlot, they came upon a pond surrounded by lush plantlife, and a lone tree nearby. “Sit, and listen.” Trixie followed Luna’s instruction readily, sitting her flank down beneath the tree’s canopy and pressing her caped back into its thick trunk, her teacher taking a seat on the opposite end of the pond.

“Imagine, if you will, that a pony is like this pond.” Simple enough, she figured… If only it made sense, “What is the defining feature of this pond? One pony might say that perhaps it’s the stream flowing downhill that pools here that makes this a pond. Another might say that it’s the plants and creatures that live in and around it, that make it a home worthy of being called a pond.” Right, Trixie was following so far, “I say that it’s the water, that makes it a pond.” That… was just a given, right?

“Without water, what would it be but a barren ditch in the dry ground? Its defining feature is not only its most basic, but the one without which the others could not function.” Now Trixie was definitely lost, hoof ruffling through her mane under her hat as she puzzled over what on Equestria the Princess meant,

“So… a pony is like water?” Luna rolled her eyes light-heartedly, thankfully not disappointed that her story was lost on the poor unicorn,

“Not exactly. The pony is the pond, and the water? The water is their soul.” Soul? Now she knew she was going to be even more confused by the end of this, “Without a soul, what body is there to nourish? Without a soul, what loves and friendships can flourish?” This was not what she was taught in school. “Tell me, Trixie. What is your understanding of magic, as simply as you can put it?”

Now that she could understand. Trixie had been most fortunate to find herself among the students of the Amazing and Spectacular Jasmine Posie. Her teacher had not only loved to teach magic to her young class, but had inspired Trixie’s desire to be a showmare when she grew up! Even now, she could almost hear her teacher’s impassioned lectures about the many theories of magic’s origins and of its many applications, but one stood out to her most, recounting it proudly with her eyes shut: “Magic is the inherent result of both internal and external power, concentrated by refined talent, and wielded through knowledge and ritual.”

“Ugh, the Celestian method remains as dominant as ever it seems.” Trixie’s eyes flew open as she faced Luna in confusion,

“Uh- what, what do you mean?” Luna waved her hoof in annoyance, mirth dampened by Trixie’s answer,

“The Celestian method, essentially, is power drawn from the physical’s essence. It always was Celestia’s favored school of magic, which made sense for her given her connection to the sun but, come on…” Yep, she knew it, Trixie was lost now. Was Luna upset at her over this? She’d never heard of any other method than the… Celestian method, as the Princess put it,

“Should I have heard of another, uh, method?”

“No, it’s not surprising you haven’t, though I wish somepony had been more innovative in my time… away, from Equestria.” Luna released her tension with a sigh, pulling a neutral smile back onto her face as she addressed Trixie again, “She doesn’t call it the Celestian method of course, that’d be too much even for her. No, instead she was content to let everypony else call it that. Ugh, anyways. That is but one school of magic, drawing on power from within a pony’s body, or from a magical source outside the body.” Trixie nodded, doing her best to keep up as she leaned closer to listen.

“That’s why when a pony exerts themselves magically, it drains them physically, leaving them exhausted and weak. It’s impossible to not use really, it’s an intrinsic part of our being. Earth ponies use it in their strength and bond to the earth, pegasi with their flight and manipulation of the sky, and unicorns need little elaboration.”

“So what’s this other method?” Luna’s smile brightened, glad somepony was paying attention,

“There’s no official name like the Celestian method, but a simple title I like to use for it would be Animancy. I consider myself the foremost Animancer in the world of course, though there are few left remaining to even contest it.” Wait, what did she mean by that- “Regardless, it is the study and application of power sourced from the soul. Independent of the limitations and strength of the physical form, as seen here.” Trixie watched and listened carefully, unwilling to miss a second, until she blinked. Then, Luna was gone, simply gone.

“Its uses are a good deal more… varied than typical Celestian magic, though one could attempt to imitate some of the effects with their traditional physical strength.” W-what?! Trixie’s head spun side to side, searching for the voice’s origin. Luna’s words sounded like they came from everywhere, from the other side of the pond to just behind her ear, “More than that, its roots ran deep. One glance at a pony’s soul, and you’d understand their wants and fears, loves and hatreds.” Something brushed against her shoulder, intentional and firm, before disappearing as quickly as it came, nothing behind her, “How else do you think I am able enter all the dreams of Equestria?”

Trixie’s mind flew in a flurry, doing its best to catch up with the avalanche of information dumped on her. She was going to learn how to do… all of this?! “I would be able to perform the same feats?”

“Perform? What an apt choice of words.” Luna reappeared in her spot across the pond, looking as though she hadn’t moved an inch after vanishing, “You won’t be performing any such feats until you begin your training, such that will begin tonight and further nights.” Trixie shook her head, clearing the fatigue that’d began to mount in her eyes before asking,

“Nights?” Luna tsked, a twinkle of humor glimmering in her gaze,

“Of course! Did you think I would train you during the day? I am called the Princess of the Night, am I not?” The Princess stood up, rounding the pond and looking over her student, “Besides, the Sun’s light would not be conducive to your training. Life’s lusts and desires shine brightest in the dark where the light can't overshadow it.” She raised her hoof dramatically before stomping it into the dirt, Trixie expecting dirt to fly up into her face before her world shattered. Luna’s hoof sank silently into the dirt like it was water, the ripples emanating from the blow flowing over everything in sight, even the sky. Trees and shadow wobbled alike, blending together in the manic motion until they were indistinguishable to her eyes. Moonlight was swallowed whole, the moon itself gone from the sky; everything was gone, mixed into a dark void nearly devoid of light.

Somehow, Trixie could still see her own body in the darkness, proven to herself by waving her front hooves before her face. Luna remained visible as well, her body undimmed by the void they stood in, smug smirk stark on her face as she watched Trixie’s shock, “I have a simple little test for you, my student. Merely touch me, and you will escape this place. I will not move, nor will I move you. Ready? Begin.” True to her word, Luna stood stock still, motionless save for her amused expression and watching gaze.

Easy enough, right? Trixie approached carefully, slowly sticking a hoof out to touch the Princess’ leg. Huh, that wasn’t really a test- Luna was gone, there a second before vanishing the next, exactly like she’d done earlier, “Well? I’m still waiting, Trixie!” She spun round, seeing her teacher stood a good distance away behind her, still in the same position as before. How had she missed?! She galloped over, eager to escape this dreadful place as she stuck her hoof out again to touch Luna. Moments before contact, Luna disappeared again, Trixie’s hoof hitting only the air before her.

“I thought you said you wouldn’t move?” Trixie called out, confused as to how this wasn’t cheating.

“I didn’t!” A voice from her side cried, farther away now than before, “You’re the only one moving in here, so get over here and catch me already!” Oh Celestia, this was gonna take all night.

Sunlight slipped through the curtains, dawn beginning as the sun crested the Crystal Empire’s mountain ranges. A certain lavender alicorn pulled her covers tight over her head, groaning over a sunbeam that’d hit her right in the eye. She only wanted to go back to sleep, but it had been hard enough falling asleep in the first place with how restless her mind was with possibilities. She tried focusing on train’s rumble beneath her bed, until she noticed it had steadily been slowing. Great, she thought, moaning while she threw the covers back off.

She laid there for several moments, trying to blink away last night’s exhaustion. A knock sounded at her quarters’ door, a country voice following immediately afterwards, “You up sugarcube? We’re only about a minute out, and we’re all ready for ya.” Oh how she wished to loudly groan, upset that she couldn’t get even a second more of rest before quietly responding,

“Just a minute please.” Clumsily rolling out of her bed, she performed a hasty morning ritual. She splashed her face with water, hoping it at least made her look better than she felt, before stepping out of her room, her friends patiently sat on the other side.

“You good, Twilight?” Applejack was closest, and easily got the best look at her,

“Yeah, it’s no big deal. I’ll sleep better in a real bed. Ahem, everypony remember their tasks?” They all nodded, confidence wildly varying between each one. She was sure they’d figure it out, and if they didn’t find anything she’d be glad to have worried for nothing. The screech of the train’s brakes sounded suddenly, and they all jerked as it rapidly slowed to a halt, “Alright girls, let’s go figure this out!”

Stepping out into the clean air, each pony took a second to enjoy the brisk breeze and soft sunlight on their fur. So far so good, she thought, nothing immediately wrong here. Save for a crystal pony running towards them at a full sprint, head limply flailing around in its socket, “They dream of you?! Do the dreamed see me when they wake?! Do they harken to it?!”

So much for everything appearing normal. The pony ran right past them, further off down another road of the city. Behind, a small detachment of local guards gave chase, weapons at the ready as they tried to keep pace with the manic pony. “I got this!” Rainbow Dash called out to her friends before taking flight, eager to join the guard in capturing the stranger. Well then…

Was this what Celestia meant by anomalies? Twilight shook her head, starting to grasp the gravitas of the situation, “Right, well, lets get to work.”

Author's Note

Our plot begins to kick in, the setup being almost through. The only thing I'm iffy on so far is the pacing, as it's something I just can't seem to get an exact handle on no matter how much I've written. Let me know if it feels good to you!

Big thanks to my brother who, despite not being a fan of MLP, has been helping proofread and provide feedback on my story. Love you!

4 - Quiche

True to form, the exhausted unicorn thought, it had indeed taken all night. Not that Trixie could really tell, the dark void she sat in as featureless as ever. She’d hoped that she could feel the sun’s warmth as it rose even in whatever this place was, but the constant chill never left, a constant that never changed. She panted, collapsing to her haunches for a second as she tried to get her breath back.

“Don’t stop so soon dear student, you’ve only just begun!” Princess Luna’s goading had been her only companion the entire night, Trixie beginning to wonder if she didn’t prefer being left alone in this nightmarish hole. Hours had been spent chasing after the Princess, a variety of methods attempted and none getting her an inch closer than before. If anything, the Princess seemed miles away by this point, even as her voice still came as if beside her. It was truly maddening.

Trixie had tried charging the Princess down, she’d tried slowly walking up to her, she’d even tried casually strolling up like a pair of old friends and swinging her hoof around Luna’s neck; nothing had worked. Just as a test she’d also tried gripping something, anything of the Princess’ with her magic, an entirely fruitless test that only served to temporarily upset Luna and make her reappear even further away than usual. Trixie was running out of ideas at this point.

Shakily pulling herself back onto her hooves, she began a slow trot towards the Princess, breath still heavy. Blinking came slowly to her, weariness overtaking her whether she wanted it to or not, though it appeared she wasn’t alone in that. As she began to near Luna, she was able to get a look at her face: The Princess, beneath that neutral smile and careful gaze, seemed tired as well. Bags were forming under her azure eyes, and her lips strained to maintain the same expression, the only thing remaining the same as earlier being the energy in her voice, “Trying the same thing again? I must wonder what goes on through your head sometimes.”

“Please let me catch you,” Trixie’s response came out half growling, half pleading, desperate and frustrated that there was still no end in sight. Luna merely tsked, and tsked the whole while as her student plodded along towards her. By the time she reached Luna she felt on the verge of tears, carelessly swinging her leg out in the hopes of finally ending this. Then, as every other time she had tried this, Luna reappeared elsewhere, further off this time than she had every time before.

She fell to her haunches once again, the will to continue draining from her. She closed her eyes, breath ragged as she embraced the fatigue dwelling within her. She didn’t know how to do it, she really didn’t; Luna had evidently picked the wrong student, if she couldn’t even get past the first test, “Trixie, you haven’t given up, have you?” Trixie shook her head in resignation, closed eyes watering as her voice choked in her throat. She was going to lose everything she had, and in addition to that there was something visceral in the realization that she was failing the Princess, “Please, Trixie. One more try, okay? You can do it, go on.”

She groaned a sigh, upset that Luna was still making her work for it in her despair. She pulled herself up again, legs barely keeping up with the ache in her bones, but she kept her eyes close shut in defiance. If she was still doing this, she was going to at least give her poor eyes the rest they needed. She didn’t remember where she saw Luna though… No matter, she would pick a direction and walk it. If she got really, truly lucky, then she would simply walk right into the Princess.

It felt like minutes, one hoof in front of the other while her eyes began drifting off behind their lids, Trixie only moments away from falling asleep before a voice suddenly called out from behind her, “Oh my! I think that was the closest you’ve gotten all night!” Awake within seconds, she spun round with eyes wide open to see that Luna was indeed only a hoof away. Excitement coursed through her as she reached out, ready to finally finish with this, dread gripping her heart as Luna disappeared a hair’s breadth away from her hoof, “Oh I’m so sorry, Trixie. I was not there.”

Her heart was still, the shock freezing her while she grappled with the knowledge that escape had been right there. Tears welled up in her eyes, pupils constricted as she stared at where Luna had been. That was until she gritted her teeth and focused, fending off the wave of sleep that begged to take her away. She closed her eyes again, intent clear this time. She would not let Luna escape her grasp again.

A thought gave her pause, dragging her willful charge to a halt: She had no idea how she was going to do it. It had to be possible of course, as it seemed she had almost done it, but the specifics eluded her. Why was this so hard?! Everytime she had reached Luna, Luna had somehow gotten even further than before, which meant chasing her was just doing nothing. Somehow she doubted blindly walking off would truly work again, for Luna had somehow appeared behind her, a position she would only inevitably get further and further away from.

No, what if she was going about this the entirely wrong way? Luna’s magic didn’t work like the, the Celestian Method she called it, the way Trixie understood. It didn’t follow the same rules, clearly, but how was she to figure out how it worked from within these bounds? Wait… Had Luna given her a clue earlier? From before the test even started, when Trixie had asked if she would be able to perform the same feats as her. Luna had noted the word perform as ‘apt’. A performance… Was any of this even real? She supposed the thought might’ve occurred to her earlier, had the suddenness of the test and sheer frustration she’d felt all night not overshadowed such thinking.

A performance then, was it all illusions? If so, then the Luna she’d been seeing all night must’ve been a decoy, meant to keep her away from the true Luna’s position! Then, she took note of something. Luna had been silent, her form too far to make out her expression, but Trixie could’ve sworn she felt Luna’s smile on her, warmer than she’d felt all night. The lack of Luna’s typical goading was confirmation enough for her, but that left one question. How in Equestria was she meant to locate Luna’s actual position?

She closed her eyes shut again, breathing deep as she tried to center herself. Without her senses to guide her, she had to rely on magic to find Luna. Her traditional magic would be of no help though; the illusions she typically made were nothing like this if she was right about it all being fake. Celestian illusions, in her line of work, functioned by projecting imagined images into the physical world, something all can witness but can choose whether to believe or not. This, this was an entirely different process, something that truth be told she was excited to learn. If she ever got out of here, that was.

Eyes held tight, she focused inwards, trying to imagine some soul pond within herself that she could draw upon and harness. When that failed, she continued trying, imagining other variations: a well, a swimming pool, even a pot. All she succeeded in was giving herself a headache, mind angry that she was still awake in the first place. What in Tartarus was the soul meant to feel like?! What use was it if she couldn’t call on it like her regular magic? She gritted her teeth, sitting herself back down as she tried thinking it through slowly. Was this all hopeless? Maybe her earlier thoughts were right, she really had no means of getting through this test. She let go, tension flowing from her body while embracing the overwhelming fatigue that’d hit her.

Then she noticed it. That small, inner twinge of recognition, like when you can feel some unseen pony’s gaze on you. It felt close, and she recognized that she didn’t feel alone, even with the knowledge that Luna had been so very far away. Her breath came as shaky as the hoof she raised, leg slowly stretching out to touch the nearby presence. She was ready for disappointment, for sleep to suddenly take her and to later wake up in her cell a failure. Fur.

Soft and worn like well-loved silk, for the first time in hours she felt something under her hoof. Her eyes flew open, blinded by the morning sun ahead of her before quickly adapting. Luna stood above her, in the very same position beside the pond as when they’d began that night, true to her word of never moving. Mentally, Trixie registered that she was still in the same position as well, and yet somehow she still felt all her limbs aching. Whatever, she thought, it meant nothing when she had actually done it!

“Well done.” Luna smiled brightly at her young student, pride beaming in her gaze at last. Trixie couldn’t help but return the smile, hers growing til it felt wider than her own face, eyes burning as tears of relief and joy came simultaneously, “I believe we are ready to rest for the day.” Trixie nodded, body giving out midway before she toppled over, sleep having forcibly taken her at last.

Rainbow Dash was on the guards in seconds, wings having to flap hard just to slow enough to speak to them. A masculine voice from the head of their group called out to her, annoyance breaking through into his apologetic words, “Excuse us ma’am, but this is a private matter. Interference is not necessary or wanted.” She rolled her eyes, like she was going to just ignore the obvious trouble before her, speaking almost lazily as she kept up with them,

“Oh yeah? What’s going on, who is this guy, what’d he do?” The earth pony guard huffed, speech coming difficult as they kept up the chase on the crazed pony,

“It’s not a matter of public- hah, concern. Please desist immediately.” She eyed the guards before her, easily keeping up even as they pushed themselves to run faster. The storm of girded hooves against the crystal street beneath them almost drowned out the ravings of the one they sought,

“Do they dream us life?! Does the sleeping slumber?!” They turned almost unnaturally quick, body uncomfortably contorting beneath them as they chose a new street to flee down. Rainbow heard screaming, new ponies confronted by this unknown danger. She had enough of the guard’s garbage about ‘desisting’, she’d stop the crazy pony before they could hurt anypony! Bolting forward down the new street, she witnessed crystal ponies running away in all different directions as the crazed one continued their mindless sprint. With one hard flap of the wings, she thrust forwards at a tremendous speed, tackling them to the ground before they could take another step. Hah! That wasn’t so hard.

She held the pony down on the ground, trying to not watch as their head lolled thoughtlessly across the crystal bricks underneath. Eventually the guard caught up to them, panting all the while as they began processing their capture, “Thank you for the… assist, if it did go against every protocol we have.” Their lead, a cream grey earth pony, squinted his eyes at her, glare no where near as grateful as his words tried to sound, “May we have your name?” Rainbow puffed her chest out, glad to have the chance to let somepony around here know who to thank,

“The name’s Rainbow Dash, and don’t you forget it!” The guard hmph’ed, his glare turning more appraising as he gave her a closer look,

“One of the Elements of Harmony? Guess I can’t say it’s a surprise you helped out then, even if we did tell you not to.” She beamed, smiling wide at the recognition. It was a warm feeling in your body, feeling known and appreciated by ponies everywhere. Then she remembered where she was, and remembered the crazed pony before her being cuffed and shackled by the other guards.

“Hey wait, what’d this guy do exactly?” An orange unicorn stallion in the back perked up, looking at her and eagerly explaining,

“There’s tons of crazies just like ‘em all round lately, it’s just better that we round them up and throw ‘em in with the others.” The leader smacked him right upside the back of the head, hissing something under his breath into the unicorn’s ear,

“Apologies ma’am, he’s new. But yes, we’ve had a recent influx of ill ponies like this one. We’ll be taking him to the Sanitarium, for care.” Riiight, Rainbow thought, not all too put off by the show but more intrigued at the new information. Twilight had tasked her with a job exactly like this one, discovering clues by talking to ponies. Trying her luck, she asked again,

“So what’s this Sanitarium place you’re taking them?” The newbie responded again, their superior’s reprimand forgotten already,

“It’ll probably be the Blessing Well Sanitarium, just off East Palace street coming from the Crystal Castle, you can’t miss it.” Another smack to the back of the head silenced them, this time hard enough to knock his helmet clean off.

“What in the Tartarus pits are you doing pestering an Element of Harmony with this drivel?!” The lead guard growled at his subordinate, not so quiet this time as Rainbow heard it clear as day. Now she was getting uncomfortable, hooves shuffling and deciding to leave before she could become witness to a full-blown lecture. Feeling no need to interrupt their exchange, she instead took to the sky, flying to where she remembered East Palace street being.

Minutes later, and after receiving directions from a confused pedestrian, Rainbow Dash found herself on the front steps of the Blessing Well Sanitarium. It was a grand structure, three stories tall at least and wider than a university building. Ground windows indicated a basement, though they were tinted and couldn’t be seen through. It was altogether pristine and professional, the outside coated in almost too shiny white paint.

It rubbed her the wrong way, somehow already confused by its perfect exterior. It wasn’t like she had the privilege of lingering on it though, still stood on the front steps and needing to actually investigate. She climbed the steps, pushing past double doors into the building where it felt even stranger. White tile floors, white walls, white reflective ceilings, freaking white lights! The entire place was coated top to bottom in white, and far too clean. There wasn’t a speck of dust in sight, not a single other color than white to be seen. Even the ponies were white! A pair of ponies in white lab coats spoke in hushed tones as they passed through one double door into the room and out past another.

A pegasus sat behind a receptionist desk, also white, as she used her wings to flip through files in a cabinet. Rainbow heard her muttering some unknown expletives as she pulled some folder out with her teeth before quickly examining it and throwing it back into the cabinet. Rainbow didn’t have the chance to speak up before the mare glanced her way, eyes wincing at the sight of the multi-colored pony. A sickly sweet smile appeared on her face in a flash, attention turned to Rainbow now, “Hi there! Welcome to Blessing Well Sanitarium, the only place of love and caring in a thirty-mile radius! Haha, I kid! I’m Gratuity, is there anything I can help you with today?”

Rainbow took a step back, surprised by the obviously well-rehearsed speech and quick change in attitude. The fake smile, the entirely white room and pony before her, it threw her off. It was… too clean, devoid of character save for its uniform color. Gah, she needed to focus, “I uh, what is a sanitarium exactly?”

“Oh that’s easy! We’re the premier care center for ponies with ailments resulting from the previous reign of-” Her voice dropped to a whisper, careful to not be heard by any but Rainbow, “- King Sombra.” Her voice bounced back to normal, “Anything else I can help you with?” That… didn’t explain as much as she would’ve liked it to, Rainbow frowning before asking again,

“Right, okay, what kind of ‘ailments’ or whatever do you guys care for?” The pegasus’ cheeks twitched, trying to maintain the same smile as before,

“There’s a wide variety spawning as a result of the prior ruler’s actions! Psychosis, depression, schizophrenia, paranoia, heartbreak, nightmares-” Rainbow coughed, not following so far,

“You can’t put nightmares in the same category as psychosis and schizophrenia, they’re not even close!” The receptionist’s smile fell, her eyes looking at Rainbow with the same pity one would have for a sick puppy,

“Oh but I assure you, we do. Right-” Her smile reappeared as though never interrupted, “We also treat PTSD, amnesia, severe phobias, and a laundry list of various other ailments.” Her little list finished, she sat quietly and awaited Rainbow’s next question, smile careful to not leave her face again. Rainbow on the other hoof, wasn’t so sure where to go from here. Her questions had been answered, yet she didn’t know what to make of them. Suddenly a voice rang out from deeper in the building, warbling as its source screamed,

“The dark awakes another?! When none sleep, where will we go?!” The receptionist simply laughed it off, waving her hoof as she tried to grab Rainbow’s attention,

“Oh that must just be one of our very loudest patients; they always get a little antsy when a newcomer arrives for treatment. Actually, I hear we have you to thank for our newest arrival, Rainbow Dash!” What? She hadn’t said her name yet… Taking a step back, she eyed the pegasus with renewed suspicion,

“How do you know that?” The receptionist giggled, taking the mare’s side-eyeing all in good fun,

“I received the news only moments before you arrived, and I can’t imagine anypony other than the one in front of me being named ‘Rainbow Dash’!”

“Well uh, I guess that makes sense.” She rubbed the back of her head, unsure whether to take the ‘thanks’ or not. She distinctly got the sense that the mare didn’t care in the slightest for it, and yet still had to thank Rainbow regardless. It, all of it, was starting to get to her, her fur standing on end at the unease she felt in this place. One last question came to her though, something unbidden but logical as she thought it over, “How long has this place been running?”

The receptionist tilted her head, not having expected that line but willing to answer regardless, “Blessing Well Sanitarium has been functional since Blessing Well herself founded it two hundred years ago! Ahem, one thousand two hundred, if you account for that whole disappearance business.”

It had been nice seeing Shining and Cadance again, especially when they were so understanding of the task given to her by Princess Celestia. They’d readily offered her anything she needed for her investigation, Twilight’s first stop of course being the Crystal Castle’s archives. They didn’t have time to personally help, which made sense to her when they were busy being rulers of the Empire, and she was endlessly grateful that she’d been granted even this much.

If only the search had gone better. She’d gone over two dozen scrolls and ancient tomes already, and not a single one of them had anything of relevance at all to her mission. Old trade records between the Crystal Empire and Equestria, with copies galore; A well-preserved student’s dissertation on the differences between two ancient Crystal pony philosphers, Twilight would’ve liked to examine that one closer had she the time; A time-worn scroll detailing a recipe for traditional Crystal Empire quiche.

Twilight groaned, throwing her head back in frustration. All she needed was one sentence, one phrase, one word! None of them so far had even mentioned Sombra! The tan colored archivist walked over, a stack of scrolls held in her magical grip while shaking her head in apology, blowing a strand of her long black mane out of her face before speaking, “My sincerest apologies, Princess. I’d have sworn there was something here about King Sombra. Perhaps I only dreamt it?” Twilight pulled her head back down, rubbing her temples with her hooves as she sighed,

“It’s alright, Ink Well. I don’t believe there’s nothing here, we just have to find it.”

“Of course, Princess. I’m sure we’ll find something, let me see if anything got lost in the back.” Ink Well set her scrolls down beside Twilight, strolling to the back of the room. Now Twilight found herself surrounded by ancient literature on all sides, not that she minded. It was rather cozy.

“Twilight dear, it may not be a complete loss. I found this rather fascinating document, explaining how the crystal ponies of back then liked their fashion. See, it seems that the balls they held-” Slam! The archive door flung open before a blue blur flew into the room, skidding across the ground and stopping only a breath away from crashing into the millenia old texts before Twilight. Heartbeat racing in the knowledge that all this information could’ve been lost right then and there, she was cut off before she could speak,

“Twilight! I think I found something! It’s the weirdest place, the sanitarium, and it’s full of ponies who’ve been affected with stuff because of Sombra!”

“Rainbow Dash, did you have to burst in here so dangerously because of that?!” Twilight had to hold herself back from yelling, upset that her friend had so carelessly endangered her own investigation. She knew Rainbow was just doing her best to aid in her task so, taking a deep breath, she further added, “I already know about the sanitariums, Rainbow. I don’t think we’re going to find all that much at one.”

“You don’t get it Twilight, it was super strange! They treat all kinds of things that came from Sombra, and they even knew my name-”

“Did you help with that chase earlier, by the train station?”

“Uh, yeah? I don’t see-”

“That’d be why they knew you. Really Rainbow, there’s nothing all that strange about it. I don’t think you’re going to get much out of some sick ponies and their doctors.” A sanitarium? Please. Sure, they were essentially a non-existent concept in Equestria, but it made plenty of sense for the Crystal Empire. King Sombra’s reign was still living memory for much of the population.

“You really aren’t getting it, Twilight. You didn’t see this place! We gotta get the girls together and check the place out!” Twilight sighed, it seemed like Dash wasn’t getting it herself.

“Rainbow, I’m really sorry, but I need to get back to this, to my own investigation.” Rainbow’s face fell, so put off by her friend’s dismissal. Twilight wanted to groan again, but kept her cool, “I gave Pinkie the same mission as you, right? Why don’t you go get with her, and check the place out again? Ask Shining and he’ll probably get you authorization to enter the facility, and then you can investigate all you like.”

Her friend’s spirits soared, hopping to her hooves and wings flared, “You got it! Don’t worry, I’ll find out what’s going on!”

“Wait!” She had to shout to catch Rainbow’s attention before she left, the pegasus confused at being stopped so soon, “Be careful, okay? Not that I think you’ll get hurt, but there’s likely some sick ponies in there. Ponies who don’t want to be bothered or reminded of Sombra. Please, please don’t cause any trouble for them, okay?” Rainbow saluted, confidence beaming from her face,

“Of course! Who do you think I am? I got this!” She flew out of the room then, the gusts generated by her wings threatening to knock the stacks of scrolls over.

“Right, so I gather no one wants to hear about what I found?” Rarity sighed from her corner, going back to reading the book she’d been holding. Twilight shook her head clear, she had to get back to work. She picked the last scroll she’d read back up, the quiche recipe. There had to be a reason it was included in the archives, alongside the aged history books and old missives. Perhaps it was written in code?

Author's Note

Oof, sorry for the wait! Took longer than I had planned; getting sick kinda saps my enjoyment for everything. :pinkiesick:

Fun fact, I planned to name the Sanitarium the Radiant Hope Sanitarium, until on a whim I looked up Sombra on the wiki for some rereading, and discovered his friend in the comics was also named that?! I swear, I've never read a single one of those before!

5 - The Sanitarium

Once again at the front steps to the Sanitarium, Rainbow Dash found herself wishing she could shrink away and leave the place. Midday’s sun didn’t make the place look any better, only making it’s gleaming exterior hurt her eyes. Somehow even the slight familiarity she had with the building made her only more wary of its interior, her eyes wishing to not be bombarded with the endless white held within. Pinkie Pie stood beside her, held tilted in confusion at Rainbow’s instinctive backpedal,

“You know it’s just a building, right Dashie?” Rainbow rolled her eyes as she shook her head, namesake mane bouncing across her face. She hadn’t expected Pinkie to get it, not yet at least. She’d gone over to the marketplace, where Pinkie had been trying to interview ponies about their past experiences with Sombra. While the party pony hadn’t had any incidents the likes of Rainbow’s, she hadn’t any luck either, most crystal ponies unwilling to spill the beans on their memories of Sombra. This was no doubt their best shot, thought Rainbow, turning to respond to her friend,

“It’s not just the building, Pinkie. You don’t know how weird it is in there yet. It’s like-”

“Super duper white inside? Not single little plant, painting, or bit of fun in sight? Even the ponies inside are white and really really serious?”

“Yeah! Wait, what?” Rainbow stared at her friend, confused momentarily that Pinkie knew all that.

“You told me silly!” Oh, right. She’d told Pinkie about the situation on the way over, but in truth she’d been occupied with thoughts of how exactly she was going to investigate the place. Part of her wanted to just stroll in and insist they interview the patients, surely the ponies most deeply stricken by Sombra’s reign must know something about it. Then Twilight’s words arose again, unbidden, reminding her that those very same ponies likely didn’t want any reminding of that very fact. Ughh, her job was just finding information by talking to ponies! Why did that have to be hard? “Dashie! You coming?” It was then that she noticed Pinkie ahead of her, about to enter the building via its wide double doors.

“Wait up!” She flew up beside Pinkie before they both entered, both immediately treated to a cry of pain behind the receptionist’s desk ahead. The receptionist crawled out from beneath her desk and into her chair, one hoof caressing the back of her head as she tried to stifle an expression of pain on her face,

“Hi-ngh, there! Welcome to the Blessing Well Sanitarium, the only true place of rest and recuperation in the greater-Crystal Empire area! Haha, I kid! I’m Gratuity, is there anything I can- Oh, Rainbow Dash! Welcome back, do you have anymore questions?” Her face morphed seemingly effortlessly, taking on the same wide smile as the last time. Rainbow would’ve been more impressed if it wasn’t so obviously fake, the smile stretching past her face and yet not touching her eyes, the mare’s gaze bordering on a glare.

“Hiya! I’m Pinkie Pie, and you already met my friend, Dashie!” Pinkie practically bounced with each step beside Rainbow as they approached the desk, something the mare before them struggled to keep her mouth shut on, lips twitching as she took in the excitable pink pony.

“Charmed. What can I do for you, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash? More questions about what a Sanitarium is?”

“Well actually-”

“We’re investigating you!” Pinkie cheerfully exclaimed before sticking a hoof in her mane and pulling out the seal given to her by Shining, clearly stating her an agent of the crown in the Crystal Empire. Gratuity was blown back in surprise, stammering as she tried to gather herself. Rainbow Dash winced, unsure if this was the right approach. Her nerves crawled on end, as though Pinkie’s outburst had caught the building’s attention on top of them.

No point letting the advantage leave them, “That’s right, we’re here to find out what’s going on in this-” She bit her tongue, unwilling to insult the place to one of its employees just yet, “- big place.”

“Ah-ah of course! A-apologies if I seem off-put by it all, it isn’t everyday you get told you’re being investigated by strange ponies out of the blue!” The mare’s voice came out wavering, her usual carefully prepared script caught off guard so suddenly. What did she mean by she was being investigated? She was just a receptionist, it wasn’t like- “But I cannot allow you to go wherever and talk to whoever you like!”

“What? That’s like the whole point of an investigation!” Rainbow pressed the mare, throwing her hooves atop the desk.

“T-t-t-hat would be a dire violation of our patients’ safety and privacy!” The mare gulped, eyes wide at the intrusion into her personal space and hooves shivering in place. Pinkie stepped closer, gently pulling Rainbow back off the desk before giving her an exaggerated wink and facing Gratuity,

“We don’t want to do any of that, silly! We just want to examine your facilities! I’m sure you can keep an eye on two ponies as we just take a quick look-y-see around!”

“That’s… Oh why you want a tour!” Gratuity relaxed almost instantly, her snow white eyes widening from the pin pricks they’d constricted into, “You should’ve said earlier! That won’t be an issue at all.” She slipped from her seat and rounded the desk, Rainbow on edge herself at the prospect of being led further into the building. How did Pinkie do it? She looked to her pink friend, finding the mare had suddenly stopped all the excited energy from earlier, now seeming the definition of calm, “Really, we wouldn’t do this normally, but with the seal, I have no choice!” Gratuity exclaimed it with a wide smile on her face, her words a complete clash with her cheerful mask. It was almost as if the pegasus and Pinkie had swapped for how expressive they were being.

“Please, follow along now.” Pinkie and Rainbow kept pace beside each other, following behind the white receptionist as she led them into the building’s depths, pushing past the first set of double doors on their right. Just past, they saw a large room, couches centered around a single large coffee table to the left while a small kitchen and serving table stood on the right. White streamers laid haphazardly across the ground, and a banner hung half taken down from the ceiling, ‘Happy Birtday’ misspelled in black ink. “Aha, we had a birthday yesterday! One of our staff, Whistle Reed, I believe his name was. This is our staff room as you can see; everypony say hi to our guests!” Their guide waved to the room’s few occupants, all white ponies who seemed more interested in their various meals or distractions.

Pinkie’s smile, a sight Rainbow needed after seeing Gratuity’s imitation of one, grew at the sight of the party decorations left lying around, “I knew I felt a party around!” It deflated then at the realization that they’d been a day late, and Rainbow knew then what her friend was thinking: were they too late to throw another? A look and a small nod told Pinkie that now wasn’t the time, instead listening to their guide try to rattle off the names of the other ponies in the room. Rainbow leaned in close to Pinkie, voice hushed as she tried to stay below Gratuity’s rambling,

“Pinks, how are you not weirded out by this place? Isn’t there something about it that, I don’t know, just digs at ya?” Pinkie’s response was shrill, like it took more effort to keep her voice quiet,

“It is weird, Dashie. Maybe that’s what these ponies need?”

“… but I like to call her Frigid, haha!” Gratuity’s laugh was mirthless, the joke about her fellow coworker as forced as her smile was. Rainbow and Pinkie returned their attention to her, still needing her to guide them through the building on this ‘tour’. They stood there for several more seconds as Gratuity’s forced laugh slowly stilled before she immediately started walking again, introducing them to the next room ahead as they stepped into a featureless hall, “Up ahead, I’ll show you to what I like to call our ‘Nice Room’! This is where we allow our more comfortable and sociable patients mingle with each other and the staff.”

Entering out of the hall, it was like they’d stepped outside again: green trees and bushes adorned a large patch of green in the floor, as though they’d just plucked the corner of a park and stuck it inside the building. The only thing giving away that they were still indoors was the high ceiling, almost giving the impression that you could look out into sky and yet it was still pure white. Ponies in white scrubs walked around various ‘nature’ trails, or sat in benches and spoke to each other in hushed voices. Finally a hint of color, as the assumed patients all still had their natural body and mane colors, though they seemed… muted. Like a nearby mare who laid on a nearby log and similarly slept like one, who’s mane looked like it once shone with the brilliance of a crimson ruby and now had the tone of muddy earth that’d had something red spilled in it.

“Isn’t it simply wonderful? A curated and safe piece of the outside for all our sociable friends to enjoy.” Gratuity breathed deep, though Rainbow couldn’t see why. The air was as still in here as anywhere else she’d been, the trees somehow doing nothing to freshen up the place. A pair of ponies nearby discussed something, Rainbow swiveling her head to hear better as she took a step closer,

“I’m sorry, miss Melody. Your recovery won’t be finished for sometime yet.” A white stallion stood over a small mare, her all purple body curling up on itself in her seat,

“O-oh, I just thought that with how good I felt, I might get the chance to see her again…”

“Trust me, when you’re ready to see them, I’ll let you know.”

“O-okay, thank you for taking good care of me.”

“Of course.” He sniffed, nonchalant about the conversation that had made the patient retreat deeper into her own body. He looked over at Gratuity, a sneer flashing on his face for a second before he turned it into a polite smile, walking over to her, “Gratuity, what’s going on? Are these new patients? Where’s their uniforms?”

She faced him, jaw dropping in faux shock, “Why it’s Whistle Reed himself! No sir, I’m just giving two guests a tour of our facilities, they’ve got the Castle’s seal!”

“Oh!” His tone rose an octave, the stallion putting on his most charming grin for the two mares before him, “A seal you say?”

“Yup! From Shining Armor himself!” Pinkie stuck her hoof in her hair again, retrieving the seal to show. The stallion looked it over, humming as he confirmed to himself that it was the real thing,

“That you are, miss! Pray tell then, what brings you two fine ladies to our humble little place of care?”

“We’re here to inspect the place! What better way to find out how a Sanitarium works than from the inside?” Pinkie gave Rainbow an expectant look, waiting for her to continue. She didn’t catch it at first, Pinkie just seeming to do Pinkie things, but then it dawned on her. Pinkie must’ve caught some sense about the place if she wasn’t just telling them exactly what they were looking for here,

“Right! We’re just, uh, you know, learning about the place!” Ugh, like Pinkie didn’t just say that? Think, think… “There’s no Sanitariums or anything in Equestria, most ponies seem to do just fine without ‘em. Pinkie and me are just curious about why that is.”

“Indeed, that is a mighty prudent question.” Reed looked at Rainbow more thoughtfully than he did her friend, head leaning back as he took her all in. His gaze lingered uncomfortably long on her wings, and she could’ve sworn that she caught his mouth twitch… upwards? The crystal earth pony released a sigh before facing his coworker again, “Could you not have informed the rest of us? You know how intrusive visitors can be.”

Gratuity rolled her eyes as exaggerated as can be, head swinging around with them, “Haha! How could I have done that, when they just strolled in here and asked for one?”

“Hmph. Not to worry, I’ll let the rest know. Keep them here a moment, would you? I’m sure there’s some procedures that should wait until they’re aware of our guests.” He walked off, passing behind a lone wooden door, plain except for the ‘STAFF ONLY’ sign hanging from it.

“Well, why don’t you try conversing with a few of our patients? I’m sure you’ll see how well they’re recovering in our care!” Gratuity faced them now, smile stretched to the edge of her cheeks in what looked like an attempt to suppress any other possible emotion,

“Sure?” Rainbow stepped away from Pinkie, both of them choosing a different pony to speak to. Rainbow had decided on the small mare that Reed had addressed, the mare now plainly trying to keep herself from crying as she burrowed her face into her tail, “Hey, uhm, excuse me?” The mare’s head shot up, not expecting anypony to have approached her.

“Oh! Please excuse me!” She sniffled, using her hoof to rub the tear-streaks from her cheeks, “Y-yes? Can I help you?”

“Sorry miss, but can I ask what the guy from before said to you?” The mare brought her hoof to her nose, brow furrowing in thought,

“With mister Reed? O-oh, we were just discussing my release. It’s been so long since I’ve seen my daughter…”

“Your daughter? How long has it been?”

“Three years, come her birthday next week. I would like to see her then, a filly only turns three once.” Rainbow’s eyes widened, concern escalating at the mare’s words. The mare’s face flushed, catching onto the absurdity of her statement, “O-oh, excuse me. I’m telling you these things, and you don’t even know my name. I’m Lavender Melody, and I- oh, hmm….” She fell deep in thought for a second, eyes glazing over before she was back, unaware that she’d blanked out, “I was a musician before I was sent here for treatment.”

Rainbow’s hoof rose hesitantly, unsure of what just happened to the mare, “Are you okay? What just happened?” Lavender lowered her head, shame washing over her face at the confusion in Rainbow’s,

“I’m so sorry! That’s part of why I’m here, the doctors haven’t been able to cure me of my episodes yet.” She slowly pulled herself back up, confidence surging as she recounted Reed’s words, “Mister Reed knows when I’ll get better though! He’ll help me, and then I’ll get to see my little girl again.”

“How long have you been here, miss?” Rainbow asked the question carefully, not yet sure she even wanted the answer,

“Oh, well it’s been about five years now. It was… harder, back then, but things are so much better now. The Crystal Heart’s magic has done wonders to help my recovery, really!” The mare cried that last bit out loud, almost trying to convince herself of it as much as she was trying to convince Rainbow. Five years, Rainbow gulped, she was in no position to make anything of that. She needed to get back to her investigation, about Sombra’s origins, and she wasn’t about to ask this poor mare anything about that.

Who would she ask then? She looked around the room, her sight catching on Pinkie speaking to a gathered group of ponies about something. The party pony’s infectious cheer seemed to work on the ponies here, laughter rising from the group. “You know, you remind me of my girl. That thick coat, and such a vibrant mane!” Lavender continued on, unheeding of Rainbow trying to find another pony to speak to, “You lose your colors, feeling like I do.” She looked down at her own body; beneath her white outfit her purple fur had darkened to near blackness, dry and coarse against her own skin. “Please, if you see my girl, Neon Blitz, will you let her know I still remember her? I’ll be coming as soon as I can.” Rainbow nodded, feeling obligated to when this mare had clearly gone through struggle enough.

“Alright! May our two guests please return to us?” Whistle Reed stood beside Gratuity before another set of double doors across the room, eyes half-lidded in boredom as he waited for them to arrive. Rainbow murmured a soft ‘sorry’ to Lavender before walking back towards her guide...s? Pinkie caught up with her, shrill voice returned as she whispered, “Figure anything out yet, Dashie?” Rainbow shook her head, concern wrinkling her brow as she returned the whisper,

“I’ll tell you later.”

“So how was chatting to our patients?” Whistle Reed spoke with a volume natural to his voice, words echoing against the walls. The room paid attention he opened his mouth, whether it was for the sheer noise or for the charisma that’d seemed to begin dripping from every vowel uttered, “I trust they were on their best behavior for you today!” He addressed the patients as much as he did his guests, letting them all linger on it before the two reached him.

“They were fantastic! I’m surprised some of them even need to stay here, they seem so healthy already!” Pinkie was quick to take the lead, letting Rainbow gather herself after her exchange earlier.

“Oh, good!” Reed seemed surprised, as though he wouldn’t describe a single one of his patients the same way Pinkie did, “You know, we put incredible time and effort into making sure each one of them is feeling their best, each and every single day. I’m glad you can recognize our efforts so easily.” His smile grew smug, giving the room another glance before turning back to the Rainbow and Pinkie, “Now, Gratuity is still here to give you the rest of your tour, but I figured it could only help you ladies if I allowed myself to tag along. Little old Gratuity who sits behind a desk all day can’t help you as well as I can.” Said mare allowed her smile to drop a little, turning to him with gritted teeth,

“Ha ha, that’s our Whistle Reed. What a jokester. Perhaps we should tone down the comedy around our guests?” His smirk didn’t move, keeping himself ignorant of what she said,

“Now, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, shall we continue your tour?” He turned his back on them before pushing the doors open, walking through with a stride only the most confident held, like he could navigate these halls with his eyes shut. They walked past offices for resident doctors, past bedrooms for the so-called ‘sociable’ ponies, past utility closets and holding rooms. Whistle Reed explained every little detail they stepped past, even explaining the crystals embedded in the ceiling that granted everything its glorious alabaster sheen. His words, not Rainbow’s.

That was, until they walked down a particular hallway. It served only to lead to a single set of doors at its end, save for a lone un-marked door on Rainbow’s right. Reed was silent as they walked down, the only sound in the air the clop of everypony’s hooves against the flooring. When they walked past that strange door without a word said about it, she knew something had to be up, “What’s in there?” Reed turned around to see Rainbow stopped beside the door, head tilted in its direction,

“Well you see, that’s our… operation room, and we have a few delicate ponies currently being helped in there. It would be dangerous, not only for them, if we interfered. Please, let us continue on. It’s almost time for evening meal in the cafeteria. Wouldn’t you rather see the food we serve?” Pinkie perked up at that, having carefully listened to Reed’s explanations all along,

“Oooh, is there any cake?! Cookies, cupcakes, pies?!”

“Maybe?” He offered the answer cautiously, as though he didn’t know himself, before looking at Rainbow, “You should try holding the same excitement as your friend really.” What? She was plenty excitable! What the buck did this guy know about her? Rainbow grabbed Pinkie by the shoulders as soon as he turned his back on them, whispering to her the plan,

“Pinks, I need you to keep them distracted while I figure out whatever the heck they’re hiding in there.” Pinkie shook her head up and down vigorously, absolutely prepared to do anything necessary to keep all eyes on her,

“You got it Dashie, don’t worry! No pony will even think, ‘hey, where’d that cool rainbow girl go?’!”

“Uh… right. Thanks Pinkie, I know you got my back.”

“Of course silly! Now, watch this!” Bouncing forwards, Pinkie ran towards the end of the hall, hyperventilating something about cake and parties and making their two guides rush after her in an effort to not lose her. She had no worries, Pinkie knew what she was doing when it came to this sort of thing. She viewed her own task as the harder of the two, as a quick test of the door’s handle proved it locked. Backtracking, she exited the hall opposite of where the others had gone, looking around for some place that might keep a key. Everything being white was beginning to seem an intentional design, Rainbow almost immediately feeling lost. There were few identifying markers anywhere in these uniform halls, the most differentiating each pale corridor from each other being the amount of doors it held.

Choosing a random direction that felt new, she tried to keep a good pace. Rainbow wasn’t intending on meeting anypony else without her tour guides here, and staying still too long would no doubt have somepony finding her eventually. Muffled voices could be heard from each door she passed, sometimes a solitary pony speaking to themselves, sometimes a group discussing something too quiet to overhear. None of those rooms were safe to enter, instead continuing her search.

Choosing yet another direction to walk in, she encountered a strange new sight: Labels sat beside each door, the hall lined on both the right and left with doors, each door holding a tinted window in it. She tried to peer in one, but it reflected too much, the glass as white as anything else in this freaking building. Instead she turned to the label, reading the text which only served to confuse her further, ‘0978, Visiting’.What was the number for? What did visiting mean? Why did she suddenly hear a terrified scream from within? It hushed as quickly as it came, the door quiet save for the faint whimpers within. No other door stirred, not even in response to the scream, and the hall she came from remained silent. It seemed no one else had even heard the scream.

Right, what the buck? What the buck?! Rainbow backpedaled from the door, sure she wasn’t to find anything inside that room. She examined the next one instead, reading its accompanying label: ‘0112, Resident’. Great, so apparently there’s residents and there’s visiting. Nothing strange there. Each door on this hall, two dozen she ultimately counted, had its own label with an equally cryptic number and designation, either resident or visiting. Save for one door at the end of this hallway, a set of double doors that swung open at her touch.

Inside, it looked like an office space. White desks with white paper scattered across their tops; cabinets and bookshelves lining the walls; a water cooler sat in a corner, still bubbling as it relieved itself of the vacuum within. It was almost as though she’d just missed everypony, eyeing another set of double doors across the room that they must’ve left through. Well, she wouldn’t say no to opportunity.

Rainbow began rifling through each of the desks, looking for anything key-like in nature. She had to be careful, to not too obviously mess anything up, and to of course not knock the desks themselves. Ink pots sat atop each desk, uncorked, black ink within the only other color in the room. Other than herself, of course.

“I mean, cake isn’t that amazing.” A voice approached from outside the room. Crap! Rainbow was still there in the middle of the room, conspicuous as can be,

“Ugh, I know. And that pink! Come on girl, there’s gotta be some elegance if you’re gonna be so monochrome about it.” There wasn’t a single hiding space in sight, nothing that’d hide her multi-color body at least. Think, think! What if she hid under a desk? It wouldn’t be so bright, but she’d still stick out like a sore hoof. Unless?

“Hah, not like us, right? Right?” The voices just outside the door, Rainbow swooped up as many ink pots in her grip as she could hold before tipping them over onto herself, dousing herself in that black liquid. It stained into her hair and fur, darkening her body enough that even she’d struggle to recognize herself. It stuck oddly to her skin, almost sludgy, but she hadn’t any other ideas. Then it was time for her to hide, slipping under a desk and pressing body as small as she could, hoping she blended in with the shadows.

“Yeah yeah, not like- what the?! Who spilled ink, everywhere?!” A feminine voice cried out, anger and disbelief surging in her voice, “Ugh! Come on, let’s get janitorial. Who does this?!” Huh. Guess she didn’t need to pour it all on herself? She crawled out from under the desk as the two ponies’ conversation got further, their groaning not stopping all the while. She looked down at herself, her body pitch black from the ink. It made for a cool look at least?

Rainbow got back to her search, hunting for anything even metallic within each drawer. Her dripping hooves left black splotches on everything she touched, but she’d let somepony else worry about that. Then, “Yes!” A small hard object brushed against her hoof beneath a pile of paperwork, revealing itself to be a key indeed once extracted. She prayed that it was the key she needed, already feeling uncomfortable in her own body with this mess on her.

She slipped the key into her mane, taking a note from Pinkie, before exiting the room. Rainbow tried to find her way back to that mysterious door, hooves leaving a trail of black prints behind her as she stalked the halls. She’d tried flapping her wings to fly, but all that achieved was flinging ink across the walls, and one trail was already pushing it for her. Thankfully she wasn’t too far from where she’d started, not wasting any time in investigating the other nearby rooms.

Pulling out the key from her mane, it covered in black goop now too, she plunged it into the door’s keyhole. It sunk in clean, and with a twist she felt a heavy mechanism release inside the door. With success in reach at last, she reached out and pulled on the door handle, almost no effort needed before it swung open before her. So far, so good. She closed the door behind her, making sure to stick the key back into her mane; she might need it again. What she saw next gave her pause.

Dark gray stone stairs led down into a basement, the ceiling and walls adorned in wooden support beams holding smooth carved rock back. Small lines and runes marked every surface that wasn’t the wood, swirling and flowing together into larger and larger symbols the further down she descended. Each step down, she felt whispers bearing down on the edges of her vision, like the ink had infiltrated her eyesight and was blurring the corners of her eyes. Hushed noises crawled along inside of her eyelids, her magenta eyes flicking in every which direction to catch them. Fuzzy shapes outstretched like clawing limbs just outside of eyesight fought to be recognized by her.

The shapes in the rock almost appeared to flow like water, so cleanly marked into the surface that it couldn’t have been done by pony hooves. Rainbow’s heart pounded, thoughts weighing so heavily on it as she neared the bottom of the stairs, fear clutching her mind at what may lay down here. Then she reached it, a large round empty room. Lit torches lined the walls, illuminating the runes and markings flowing into a large spiral in the center of the room. No pony else was in here, in fact there was nothing else in here as well, the room entirely barren. Had she imagined everything, walking down here?

Releasing a heavy sigh, she climbed back up the stairs, suddenly feeling much more mundane. She pushed the door open and stepped back out in the dazzling whiteness, disappointment staining her expression as much as the ink did. Clearly, she hadn’t thought this all out as well as she would’ve liked, biting her lip as she tried to imagine her next steps.

“D-Demon! Shadow Demon!” A pony to her left screeched, and she looked up to see the sheer panic in their eyes. She also took note of their patient uniform.

“Oh no.” She tried to raise her hooves, to show she wasn’t dangerous, “Hey there! No need to be scared, it’s just me, Rainbow Dash!”

The pony’s jaw dropped a second before they screamed again, louder this time, before falling to the floor in shock. Shouting could be heard from outside the hall, as staff no doubt took notice of this scream. “Great...”

The evening sun’s rays snuck into the room, past the drawn curtains, draping themselves across the pony sleeping in its bed. A couple minutes longer, and the angle would’ve been just right for the stray light to lay across the pony’s eyes, no doubt disturbing their rest. A grumble and a moan escaped from the pony, muscles flexing and shaking the blankets off of them before the light could yet do anything to them.

Trixie still felt exhausted. Her limbs burned from the endless running she’d done all night, and a cloud of fatigue still hung over her head, until she then realized where those sensations originated from. She had succeeded her trial! Forcing her eyes open, she had to blink away the bleariness in her vision before she could gather where she was.

Lifting her head from the downy pillow, she was able to take in her surroundings, starting from the blankets yet on her body that felt greater than silk, to the midnight black curtains blocking most of the evening sun from entering the room. She actually couldn’t see much past that, the rest of the room far too dark for her eyes to make out. Wait, evening?

Slipping out from under those heavenly covers, she wobbled over to the window, using her magic for the first time in hours to pull the curtain aside. The light blinded her almost instantly, a faint eep escaping her before shehastily threw the curtains back into place. She blinked the pain away, more carefully pulling the curtain open only a bit at a time. What she saw outside stunned her; a view of Canterlot grander than any she could’ve imagined. The painted rooftops of the city below shimmered in the remnants of Celestia’s sunlight, not to mention the rest of Equestria which could be seen from this height.

The realization hit her then: She was in Canterlot’s Castle, where the Princesses ruled! She even had her own room?! A knock rang from the door, soft at first before ending off firm. “Who’s there?” She yelled out, suddenly feeling embarrassed when her voice came out hoarse.

“Corporal Flitting Breeze, here to introduce myself to you, madam.” Fat lot that told her, but she wasn’t in the mood for twenty questions through a door,

“Come in.” The door cracked open and a stallion entered the room, closing the door behind him. His gaze was held straight forwards as he saluted,

“I am Corporal Flitting Breeze, and I’ve been assigned to be your personal guard, madam Lulamoon.” Hmm, yes, that’s all- wait, he’s the pegasus who knocked her out at the end of her chase last night! She still felt the small ache in her chin. Taking a closer look all but confirmed it to her. He was the very same, right down to that mop of grass green hair he called a mane. Why he hadn’t chopped it down like most other guards she’d seen eluded her, especially when it was so ugly, “Madam?”

“You hit me last night.” She hissed it out at him, anger filling her veins. Trixie had never been stricken like that before! Or at least, not so daringly. Okay, so maybe she hadn’t the best track record, but this was the first time she was given a small position of authority over the pony that’d hit her. She was going to make the most of it.

“Accept my deepest apology, madam. It was not my intention to hurt you, rather to capture a fugitive of the law.”

“Hah, you got lucky! The Great and Powerful Trixie let you capture her, otherwise how would she have become Luna’s student?”

“Errh, right, madam.” He shuffled imperceptibly, still holding the same rigid pose near the room’s entrance. She stared him down, or at least she tried to, his gaze still firmly stuck on some random wall fixture and not on her. Grumbling rose from her throat before a brilliantly petty idea struck her,

“Clean up my bed.”

“Pardon, madam? Isn’t that for the maidservants?”

“So?” She huffed, hooves positioned on her hips as she sat impatiently, “I’m waiting?”

“I- uh, right you are, madam.” He hovered up off the ground, wings keeping him aloft as he floated over to her bed, hooves yanking sheets and covers back into place. Trixie smirked at the sight, simply knowing to herself that she would put him to great use, but too intrigued in everything else to watch the show. She approached the rest of her room, the drawn curtain now letting enough light in to see what other furniture she had in here. A dark blue couch sat before a fireplace, and fine dark drapery hung from nearly every inch of her walls, save for where decorative paintings sat. A writing desk stood lonely in a dim corner, awaiting its first parchment and spill of ink. The ground was covered in- “There, it’s clean.”

She was torn from her examination, looking back at the guard as he hung in the air above her bed. It did indeed look clean, nary a wrinkle in sight on those night sky blue covers. Alas for him, Trixie’s keen and very petty eyes caught a wrinkle or two hidden out of his sight.

“Tch, not hardly! Come now, if you’re to be Trixie’s personal guard, you’re going to have to do a lot better than that!” She telekinetically grabbed the few wrinkles as she berated him before ripping the blankets off the bed entirely, watching as his stony face fell. She felt giddy, glee slipping out into a wide smile before she ripped her attention back off him. Her room was far more interesting to her than some rude stallion. The floors of her room were coated in black rugs, a strange sight but not one she questioned; perhaps the affluent merely liked soft floors? The room, overall, was remarkably empty. Perhaps she was expected to fill it out herself? It would simply be one of the many questions she’d have for Princess Luna later.

“Hmph!” The sound of him struggling behind her only served to relax her further, as the evening sun outside dipped below the horizon, bathing her room a cool blue light now. She turned around to see an utterly immaculate bed, the stallion panting slightly as he looked at his own handiwork. Not a wrinkle lay in sight, every sheet fitted as tight as could be. Well, she certainly expected that to take longer. Not to worry, horn beginning to glow as she ‘invented’ a few wrinkles in her mind to point out to him, “Excuse me! Madam.” He interrupted her before she could do anything more, Trixie facing him with a pout,

“What? You know it isn’t perfect yet. I mean really, just take a look at-”

“Madam Lulamoon, I was sent here to introduce myself as your personal guard and to, when you seemed awake enough after your sleep, give you the Princess Celestia’s summons.” Oh. Trixie shut up then, her eyes struggling to meet his now, “The Princess Celestia requests your presence in the throne room. And pardon me, madam, but you seem awake to me.”

Author's Note

I told you we'd get going once I shook the rust off! I'm hoping people will start getting a sense of where our plot is going now but if not, don't worry. The next chapter will clear some things up.

Please point out any mistakes or errors you notice. In a similar vein, if anyone would like to edit or proofread for our story moving forward, I would love to coordinate with you!