Train Troubles

by AyBlyat

Rating: teen
Tags: Profanity, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Trixie, Comedy, Starlight Glimmer
Length: 6240

Starlight and Trixie want to take the train to the Crystal Empire to visit Sunburst, but things just keep going wrong. From delays of the train, to complicated ticket rules, the two unicorns eventually become really fed up and seek vengeance.

Starlight and Trixie want to go to the Crystal Empire, to visit their friend Sunburst. Starlight wants them to go there by the train, to which Trixie agrees on. Unfortunately for them, everything that could go wrong, went wrong. From the train being way too late, the train being crowded and confusing ticket rules, the two unicorns end up becoming so frustrated and fed up, that they want to seek vengeance on the company, that controls all of the train traffic in Equestria.

Published 2024-12-29 03:30:00 UTC
Last updated 2024-12-29 03:30:00 UTC

The Worst Way to Travel

It was a nice sunny day here in Ponyville. It was warm, the fillies were playing outside and everypony seemed to be happy about the great weather, all except two outcast unicorns. Starlight Glimmer and Trixie Lulamoon did not enjoy the warm weather. It was too hot and bright for them. They also didn't have any other pony to relate to here in Ponyville. They both had problems finding close friends, but they had each other and most of the time, that was enough for them. But sometimes, they wanted to hang out with another pony too. Fortunately for them, they had Sunburst. A childhood friend of Starlight, that Trixie also became good friends with. These three combined shared similar struggles, that feeling of not living up to the standards of society and darker, more pessimistic world views. Unfortunately, Sunburst lived in the Crystal Empire, far away from Ponyville, where Starlight and Trixie live. On this warm and sunny day, where they felt even more like outcasts than usual, Starlight and Trixie thought it was a good idea to visit the cold and harsh Crystal Empire and their friend Sunburst.

Trixie at first wanted them to walk to the Crystal Empire. She even had done that once, as she was a traveling performer. Starlight tho was not used to walking such long distances and instead wanted them to go there via train. Trixie did agree on it, since it was faster and less exhausting, or at least, they thought. The two went to the train station of Ponyville, where the train to the Crystal Empire was meant to arrive in 5 minutes. Starlight bought herself a ticket and Trixie was originally too, but then, there was an announcement.

"The train to the Crystal Empire will be about 5 minutes too late," Said a voice that came from the speakers of the train station.

"5 minutes too late?" Asked Trixie, not sounding amused about the delay, "Why the fuck can't this thing be punctually. Trixie demands a lower ticket price as a compensation for this!"

"I know it sucks that the train is too late, but we unfortunately have to live with it," Replied Starlight to her, who was also unhappy about the delay, "That means you have to buy a ticket for the same price as me and all of the other ponies."

"What kind of bullshit is that?" Asked Trixie back as a reply, sounding mad, "If something fails to deliver what it promises, the customer should pay less or if it completely fails, nothing! And you know what, I am not gonna by a ticket! They probably wont do a ticket control anyway."

Starlight was in a mix of emotions. At one side, she could understand the argument Trixie has made, but on the other side, she didn't want her to get in trouble, especially since she has managed to do this more than enough times in the past.

She just simply replied, "Trixie, I can understand your argument, but if you really want us to go to the Crystal Empire, you should buy a ticket now. There is certainly going to be a ticket control in the train. You will get punished if they catch you without one and I really don't want that. I know getting in trouble is kinda your thing, but I'm really not in the mood for it today. I just want us to go to the Crystal Empire and visit Sunburst. Don't blame me, blame the system."

Trixie thought about it and replied, "You know what Starlight, you're right. I have gotten in trouble more than enough times and I too just want us to go the Crystal Empire and visit Sunburst. The system sucks and most ponies just accept it. But not the Great and Powerful Trixie, I will not accept this and won't buy a ticket to protest against this. I might not be a communist like you Starlight, but that doesn't mean I can't be against a capitalistic system!" while becoming louder and more boastful in her reply.

Trixie as usual, just did her own thing. She just was the type of pony who didn't really listen to the rules and had no problems with getting in trouble. Starlight really wasn't surprised by this behavior from her. Still, she wanted to stay out of trouble for today and continued to plead her on buying a ticket, but Trixie just simply did not want to. Eventually, the 5 minute delay time has passed, but the train didn't come, instead the only thing that came, was another announcement.

"The train to the Crystal Empire will be about 10 minutes too late," Again, said the voice from the speakers.

"Oh come on, what kind of scam is this!" Trixie yelled out of frustration.

Starlight was just sitting there, being annoyed by the lateness of the train, while also being concerned about getting in trouble, because her friend just won't buy a ticket. This was already a lot more stressful than expected. Starlight still didn't gave up on convincing her friend to buy a ticket tho.

"Trixie please, I know that the delay is annoying and that it feels unfair to pay the full ticket price," Starlight pleaded to her, "But if you get caught on the train without a ticket, they will most likely kick you out at the next stop and you will certainly have to pay a fine that will be much more costly than a ticket. They can even ban you. And since all of the trains in Equestria are controlled by the Equestrian Railway Company, it means that you won't be able to travel via train in the future, which I know isn't a problem for you, but still. You already have gotten bans from like 3 localities here in Ponyville. Do you really want that number to increase?"

"Actually Starlight, it's 4. Hayburger, Hoofmart, Applejack's farm and the Ponyville bowling center, that last one you probably still remember," Trixie smugly replied, "But you are right, I have been banned from enough places, plus I don't want to pay an expensive fine. Perhaps I should buy a ticket. I don't really want to, but I guess I have to," and walked away to buy one.

She came back a minute later and Starlight was relieved, that her friend has finally bought a ticket. Sadly, it didn't stop the delay of the train. In fact, just when the 10 minute delay was finally over and the train was meant to come, yet another announcement came.

"The train to the Crystal Empire will be about 15 minutes too late," Once again, said the voice from the speakers.

Trixie became angrier and shouted, "What in the fuck! This is as annoying as listening to a Maroon 5 song! Just when you think it's finally over, it punches you in the face and keeps on going!"

Starlight too was highly frustrated about the constantly increasing delay of the train. Unlike Trixie, who was angrily stomping around the train station while shouting out vulgar words, Starlight just sat there and tried not to get too angry about this, but eventually, she too couldn't hold her anger for any longer.

Starlight loudly screamed, "FUCKING BULLSHIT!" While brutally kicking her right front hoof against a trashcan.

The two unicorns were really pissed of. They were sick of waiting and the constant announcements on how much delay the train has. Fortunately, after 15 minutes of delay and 20 minutes of waiting, the train finally came. The two felt relieved that the wait was finally over.

They hopped in the train and tried to find a place to sit down, however all of the seats were already taken and the train itself was really crowded. Starlight and Trixie had trouble just walking around. Eventually, they did find a somewhat less crowded spot in the train, where they were able to stand without getting pushed around by other ponies. Still, the two unicorns were annoyed on how loud and crowded the train was.

"Next time we will walk to the Crystal Empire. I don't care that your hooves aren't used to walking long distances. I definitely prefer walking over this pricey, annoying and unreliable train," Said Trixie with an arrogant and grumpy tone.

"I got to be honest, I did not expect this to be this stressful and annoying, but we are on the train now and are on the way to the Crystal Empire. Sure it's loud and crowded, but at least the waiting is over and yes, we can try to walk to the Crystal Empire in the future," Said Starlight in an attempt to cheer her grumpy friend up.

Right after that, the two unicorns saw a ticket control pony in the crowd, who strictly controlled everypony's tickets.

"See, I told you there would be a ticket control pony," whispered Starlight to Trixie.

A minute later, the ticket control pony arrived to them and asked them to show their tickets.

"Tickets please!" He said blunt and emotionless.

Trixie started to get a big smug on her face and arrogantly replied, "The Great and Powerful Trixie demands the train to be punctually, before she lets you guys see her ticket!"

Starlight felt somewhat embarrassed by her friend's behavior and said to her in a slightly annoyed tone, "Trixie, this not the time to be smug and fool around with random ponies, just show him your ticket."

"Well guess what," She said loudly, still having a arrogant tone in her voice, "The Great and Powerful Trixie did not buy a ticket!"

Starlight was highly confused about this at first.

"But, you said to me that you bought one, you were even away for like a minute or so! Why don't you have a ticket?" She asked her in confusion.

"Well Starlight," She smugly replied, "The Great and Powerful Trixie only pretended to buy a ticket! The real reason why I was away for a minute, was that I went to the toilet. I needed to pee."

"Well seems like we have to kick you out at the next station. Here is your fine miss," Said the ticket control pony, still sounding blunt emotionless, while giving Trixie her fine.

"Aw fuck you!" She replied to him in a frustrated tone, "You can't even have your train be on time and yet still demand ponies to pay full price, THIS IS A SCAM!"

"Hey don't get rude, or we will have to ban you from all public trains in Equestria in the future!" the ticket control pony replied, this time sounding louder and bit angrier.

"Well then, ban me if you want to! I never want to travel with your hideous, overpriced and overcrowded dick on rails ever again! You hear that!" She loudly shouted towards him.

Starlight just watched the whole situation, having very mixed opinions about Trixie's behavior. But she also wanted to stay on the train with her. After all, they wanted to visit the Crystal Empire and their friend Sunburst.

She kindly pleaded to the ticket control pony, "Look, I know my friend can be a bit tricky, but please don't kick her out of the train. She is in a lot of stress and we really need to go to the Crystal Empire and this is the only way to get there fast enough. Plus, she does have a point. The train had a delay of 15 minutes, we were waiting for a really long time and it just eventually was to much for her. Just please, let her stay on for this ride at least!"

"No!" The ticket control pony bluntly replied, "You seriously demand me to keep this asshole of a pony, who has no ticket on here? This has to be a joke!"

Starlight awkwardly chuckled and nervously replied, "I know, I know. My friend is kind of an asshole, but she is not a fucking asshole. She isn't acting like this for no reason, as already said she has a point here. Just please, I swear, when you let her on this train to the Crystal Empire, she will never travel with a train ever again!"

Trixie shouted a "Hey!" when Starlight made that comment about her being an asshole.

The ticket control pony tho, was not amused by this, "As already said, no! No ticket, no ride! By the way, do you at least have a ticket miss?"

"Oh yes, I have one!" Starlight said while pulling out her ticket.

"Do you have a Equestrian Railway Guest Cars with you?" He asked afterwards.

"A what?" Starlight was somewhat confused by this question, "No, I don't. But why should I need it? I have a ticket that I bought and that's all I need, right?"

"No, you need a Equestrian Railway Guest Card along with you ticket," The ticket control answered her emotionless, "Here is your fine miss," and gave Starlight her fine.

Starlight felt scammed by this and demanded to him, "Hey, I didn't even knew you needed that card thing! Plus, I paid money for this ticket! Please, don't give me a fine! I already paid you guys by buying this ticket!"

The ticket control tho didn't reply to her and instead walked away, continuing to control the tickets of the other passengers.

Trixie chuckled about Starlight's situation and smugly said to her, "Seems like not buying a ticket was a smart idea in the end."

Starlight just ignored her comment and tried to keep her anger and frustration in control instead. Only a few minutes later, the train held on the next stop. It was the small city of Ponygrad. As soon as the train stopped there, Starlight and Trixie were promptly kicked out of the train by two ticket control ponies. The two unicorns had fines, didn't manage to get to the Crystal Empire and were stuck in Ponygrad. They felt frustrated and scammed by the Equestrian Railway Company.

Vengeance

Starlight and Trixie walked their way back to Ponyville, as Ponygrad was much closer to Ponyville than the Crystal Empire. They were highly disappointed that they couldn't come to the Crystal Empire and visit Sunburst. The hot weather didn't make this frustrating situation any better for them. Starlight was especially frustrated, as she even paid money for a ticket and still got kicked out nonetheless. Walking from Ponygrad to Ponyville was also much more of a strain for her than for her traveling magician friend.

Starlight looked down at the ground with a mad expression while they were walking and said, "Words can not describe how mad and frustrated I am right now," Grumpy yet quietly.

"You are not mad at me, right?" Asked Trixie to her afterwards, sounding more concerned and vulnerable than usual.

"Why would I be mad at you?" Starlight replied with a slightly happier tone, "You didn't do anything wrong. I am mad at the Equestrian Railway Company for not having their trains being on time and for having these stupid overly complicated ticket rules."

Trixie thought for a second and responded, "Honestly, I think we should take revenge on them for scamming us and ruining our day," sounding more smug again this time.

Starlight's eyes started to get big. Never ever before has the word "revenge" sounded so tempting for her. Unlike Trixie, she was usually not the kind of pony who would get vengeance on somepony. But a wealthy company, with multiple headquarters, that has ruined her and her best friend's day, sounded like something that deserved it for her.

"You know what Trix," She replied sounding surprisingly eager, "I agree. I want to this shitty company to suffer for all this garbage! I am mad, I wasted money and my whole day is ruined and it's all their fault! It's time for vengeance."

A mischievous chuckle came from Trixie and she smugly replied, "Now that is the Starlight I became friends with, the one that likes my ideas and agrees on them! What do you think we should do to them. You know that they have a headquarter in Ponyville, right?"

"I do know that," Starlight simply replied, "But I don't really know how we should take revenge on them. You know what Trix, you are the more creative of us two. I think you should come up with an idea. I'm sure it will be good."

Trixie thought for a couple of seconds until a light popped up in head. She had, what was for her, the perfect idea.

"How about..." She said with excitement, "We blow up their headquarter in Ponyville at night with Trixie's self made dynamite!"

Starlight suddenly became more skeptical of Trixie and her ideas, "Uh, that seems a little bit extreme if you ask me. Plus, since when do you know how to make dynamite?"

Trixie smugly responded, "Well, I have been crafting my own fireworks for so many years by now that I thought, why not expand my pyrotechnic crafting skills and thus I learned how to make my own dynamite! The best part, it's not just regular dynamite, it's napalm dynamite! Don't worry, we will blow it up at night, when nopony is inside the building. They also aren't any other building next to it, meaning we also don't have to worry about damaging nearby buildings. What do you say, should we do it?"

Starlight was in a mix of thoughts at first, but then she remembered all of the bad things that have happened to them today and she simply replied to her with a, "Yes! Let's do it."

After walking for almost 3 hours, Starlight and Trixie were finally back in Ponyville. As soon as they were back in their hometown, they began to prepare their vengeance. They were at Trixie's trailer, were she showed off her new, self made dynamite. She put one stick of dynamite on an empty field.

She smugly said, "You should take some distance Starlight and also cover your ears."

Starlight walked further away from the dynamite and began to cover her ears with her hoofs. Trixie afterwards lighted up the fuse, teleported herself next to her friend, also covered her ears with her hoofs and they both waited for the explosion. It only took a few seconds for the dynamite to explode. The explosion was quite big for such a small stick of dynamite and blue firework particles came out of it too.

"What do you say Starlight? Pretty great and powerful, am I right?" Trixie asked to her, while being totally smug.

"That is both impressive and scary at the same time," Starlight replied, being pretty shocked and surprised about Trixie's pyrotechnic crafting skills, "But one thing. There were blue firework particles during the explosion. I fear that they might tell it that us, particularly you, blew up the headquarter. Firework effects, especially blue ones, are pretty much you thing. Don't you have ones without it?"

"Well, all of my dynamite sticks have special effects along their explosions," Trixie simply replied, "But I do have ones where the effect is purple instead of blue."

"That's not much better to be honest. You use purple fireworks a lot too," Starlight replied, sounding slightly concerned.

"Yeah, you might actually be right Starlight," Trixie responded, sounding somewhat disappointed, "Seems like we have to reschedule our revenge plan for a few days later, since I have to craft new dynamite."

"Well that's kinda unfortunate. If they only was another pony here who could be associated with blue or purple fireworks," Starlight replied, also sounding kinda disappointed.

Trixie desperately thought. She didn't wanted to delay they vengeance. She wanted it to do tonight and not tomorrow. But then, what Starlight has said, gave her an idea, on how to bring any suspicions away from them.

"Starlight!" She shouted out exited, "You just gave me the greatest idea on we can do this tonight while avoiding our problem!"

"Really?" Asked Starlight curiously, "But how?"

"It's pretty simple," Trixie smugly replied to her, "We only the purple ones and I craft one firework rocket that a upon it's explosion, while show an effect that looks like Twilight's face, meaning everypony will suspect her instead of us!"

"You want to do what?" Starlight questioned Trixie's idea on this, not sounding amused by it, "But I thought the rivalry between you and Twilight has long been over. I am not ok with this Trixie."

Trixie then explained to her the actual thought she had behind this idea, "Starlight I don't want to this because I hate Twilight, it's because she is not only the most popular and well liked pony in probably the entirety of Equestria, but she is also the princess of friendship. If the public sees that she is the one who has such a hatred for the Equestrian Railway Company, it will cause more ponies to be against them and the Equestrian Railway Company will be under more pressure to improve their schedule and ticket rules. Also, they will never think that I made a Twilight Sparkle firework rocket, seeing as most ponies, that don't know me or Twilight personally, still think we hate each other."

Trixie's explanation actually really changed Starlight's mind on this.

"To be honest," Starlight replied to her, sounding pleasantly surprised, "Now where you explained it, that actually sounds like pretty damn smart idea. We can take our revenge tonight, we won't be the first ones to be suspected and everypony believing that Twilight caused it, will make the Equestrian Railway Company much more unpopular and increases the pressure on them. You know what Trix, I am in. Let's do this!"

Trixie then began to craft the Twilight Sparkle firework rocket. Starlight meanwhile began to secretly spy on and look around the headquarter building of the Equestrian Railway Company, using an invisibility spell. She looked for a way to enter the building in the night, when it's closed and empty. Luckily, when they closed down, she could see the chef walking out of the front door and he had the key for the building. After closing the front door, he putted the key into a pocket, that he carried on his rump. Starlight immediately saw the opportunity and used her magic to carefully get the key out his pocket and into her hoofs and fortunately for her, he didn't notice it. She then quickly came back to Trixie's trailer, to tell her friend about the great news.

"Trixie!" She said to her in joy and excitement, "I have some awesome... uh I mean, great and powerful news."

"Well I have some great and powerful news too my friend," She happily but also smugly replied, "The Twilight Sparkle firework rocket is done!"

"That's great!" Starlight gleefully replied to her, "And you know what? I managed to get the entrance key to they headquarter building!"

"What?" Trixie replied in shock and joy, "That is incredible! That means we can enter the building at night with zero problems! You truly are the greatest friend anypony could ask for! How did you even get it?"

"Well, it was actually pretty easy if I'm being honest," Replied Starlight simply and happily, "I just used my magic to make myself invisible, saw the chef closing the doors with the key, used my magic to get the key out of his pocket and that was basically it."

"Either way, this is truly great and powerful," Trixie replied to her in an eager tone, "Seems like the only thing we have to now is to wait for the night to fully kick in, which won't take long."

It was already getting dark by the time when Starlight and Trixie were done with their preparations. They only needed to wait for half an hour for the sky to be completely dark.

"Do you think it's time?" Starlight asked Trixie curiously.

"It is! Let's get our revenge!" She eagerly replied.

The two unicorns used their magic to themselves invisible and quietly sneaked to the headquarter building of the Equestrian Railway Company. They both carried a big load of dynamite, Trixie also carried the firework rocket and Starlight had the key. It was dark and nopony was outside anymore other than them. Starlight used the key to quietly open the front door of the building. They both then sneaked in the building and began to plant the dynamite. Not only was the key able to open the front door, but also pretty much every room in the building, meaning they could evenly spread the dynamite across the whole building. It took around 10 minutes until the two placed all of the dynamite sticks they had with them. They only had dynamite for the first floor, but that was more than enough to destroy the entire building. After they were done with that, Trixie began to attach an extra long fuse on the dynamite, so that they have enough time and distance from the explosion.

"Are you ready for the explosion, Starlight?" Trixie asked to her thrillingly but quietly.

"More than ready!" Starlight eagerly but also quietly replied.

Trixie then lightened up the fuse. The two unicorns took hid themselves behind a hill that was circa 50 meters away from the building and covered their ears. Trixie also quickly set up the Twilight Sparkle firework rocket. They were highly exited about the explosion. Even tho it only took like a minute for the dynamite to start exploding, it almost felt like an hour to them. Then, the explosion began. It was loud, purple firework effects came from the explosion and the whole building started to burn and collapse. After the explosion, the entire building was nothing but burning debris. Trixie then activated the firework rocket, causing Twilight's face to appear in the night sky.

"Wow that was... amazing," Starlight replied in fascination.

"I told you it would be great!" Trixie smugly replied, "This was one of the greatest things we ever did! Now let's quickly get back to our homes, so that nopony suspects us."

"Well than Trix, we will see us tomorrow," Said Starlight to her.

"For sure!" Trixie replied and they both made their way back to their homes.

They both put off their invisibility spells when they were back in their homes. Starlight had to be quiet, since Twilight and Spike were already sleeping. She was pretty tired of that long day and immediately went to her bed after being back home. Trixie meanwhile staid awake for a bit longer, as she likes to practice her magic in the night, but she too didn't stay awake for too long.

Starlight woke up on the next day later than she did usually. Twilight and Spike had already been awake for a while. She immediately saw the two hooked on the TV, where they watched the news that talked about the headquarter building of the Equestrian Railway Company getting blown up in the previous night. The news also mentioned that Twilight is believed to have caused this. A public camera recorded parts of the explosion and they showed that purple firework effects came from the explosion. There also have been multiple reports of a firework explosion near the former headquarter building, that looked like Twilight's face, that took place at the exact same time as the explosion. Twilight felt like she landed in a wrong movie.

"Starlight?" Twilight curiously asked her, "Have you heard that somepony blew up the Ponyville headquarter of the Equestrian Railway Company?"

"Uh... no, I haven't," Starlight replied to her somewhat awkwardly.

"Well who ever did it, made it look like it was me who blew up that building!" Twilight replied to her, sounding mad.

"What? Who would blame it on you?" Starlight responded, pretending to be shocked.

"Well, they did say something with fireworks," Twilight told to her, thinking about who would do something like this, but then, she had an idea on who it could possible be, "Wait, Trixie builds a lot of custom firework rockets and I did had some beef with her in the past. It could be her who did it."

Starlight quickly became nervous, but then, she realized how to deal with this.

"Are you kidding me Twilight!" Starlight shouted at her, pretending to be angry, "Trixie is my best friend. Yes, you two hated each other back then, but those times have long been over by now! What was the last time Trixie did anything against you? It was years ago! Sure, Trixie is a bit of a troublemaker and she can be egotistical and self absorbed at times, but she would never do something like this!"

Twilight quickly changed her emotion afterwards.

"I'm sorry Starlight," She apologized, "You are right. I should stop judging Trixie and blaming her for this. She is your friend after all and you even visited her yesterday. It's just all of that firework stuff kinda reminded me of her."

But then, Twilight realized something.

"Wait, didn't you and her wanted to go to the Crystal Empire yesterday and visit Sunburst?" She asked to Starlight, sounding suspicious of her.

"Oh yes, we originally planned that," Starlight responded to her in an awkward tone, "But things got in the way, like... Sunburst not having any time and... Trixie's trailer needing a clean up."

"Alright, interesting," Replied Twilight in a calm tone, while looking at Starlight with suspicious eyes.

Starlight was getting very nervous by that moment.

"Either way," Twilight said to her afterwards, "I will be holding a speech in front of the destroyed building in like an hour. I hope you will be there."

She then walked away, while still keeping a suspicious look on Starlight. Starlight realized, that Twilight might have realized that it was indeed her and Trixie who blew up the building. She then quickly walked out of the castle and made her way to her friend's trailer. She hastily knocked on the door and Trixie quickly opened it.

"Trixie, I think we are in big trouble!" Starlight told to her friend, sounding highly concerned.

"Why? Did they realized that it was us?" Trixie replied, also sounding concerned.

"Not them, but her!" Starlight responded, "I'm pretty sure that Twilight was able to figure out that it was us and she is about to hold a speech in front of the destroyed building and she will probably tell the entire public that we did this!" while sounding more and more concerned and scared.

"Well, this sure is bad," Trixie replied, sounding somewhat frighted.

"And I don't think there is anything we can do about it, other than coming to her speech and acting as normal and unsuspicious as possible," Starlight replied afterwards, sounding concerned but also somewhat sad.

"Well you are right. I too don't know what else to do other than this. I think we just have to accept that our plan on making it look like Twilight did it, causing everypony to hate the Equestrian Railway Company, didn't work out as well as I planned," Trixie replied, sounding somewhat crushed inside.

Starlight started to cry and said, "I don't want to be arrested Trixie!"

Trixie hugged her and tried to calm her down, "Don't worry too much Starlight. Maybe Twilight doesn't know that it was us and it just seemed like that. And even then, I have already been arrested once in my life when I was in my teenage years. It's nowhere near as bad as most ponies think it is."

They both then went to the destroyed building, where Twilight was about to hold her speech. The two unicorns tried to act as normal as they could, but deep down, they knew they most likely are in a lot of trouble. Once Twilight will tell the public it was them, they are done. Twilight was the most popular and well trusted pony in all of Equestria along with the other princesses. Starlight and Trixie meanwhile, were just seen as two outcast troublemakers.

They arrived at the burned down debris that was the former Ponyville headquarter of the Equestrian Railway Company. There was a huge crowd of ponies near the building that wanted to hear Twilight's speech. Everypony in Ponyville wanted to know, if it really was Twilight who did this. There also was a small stage with a lectern set up in front of the destroyed building.

Starlight and Trixie could hear a male pony talking behind them, "I think that Trixie pony did it! She has a lot of explosives and hates Twilight, so she probably tried to blame it on her."

"Really?" A female pony replied to him, "I think she hates Twilight so much that she would never even build a firework rocket that shows Twilight's face upon its explosion. And even then, she is probably to dumb to come up with something like that anyway."

"Yeah, you are probably right about that. Maybe it really was Twilight who did it," the male pony replied to her.

Trixie had to hold in her anger to not lash out against them, but luckily, she was able to keep herself in control this time.

"Seems like our trick worked for everypony except for Twilight, who might be about to publicly expose us of our crime," Starlight whispered to her in a nervous tone.

Afterwards, Twilight began to step on the stage. She walked to the lectern start her speech.

"Fillies and Gentlecolts!" She began to talk to the crowd of ponies in front of her, "Yesterday night the Ponyville headquarter of the Equestrian Railway Company got blown up and destroyed. Fortunately, the building was empty, so nopony got injured. Still, this is a shocking event and the one question that everypony has been asking is, who was it? Most ponies blame it on me, because of a firework explosion that looked like my face, that happened on this spot at the exact time the building blew up. Obviously, this is putting a lot of pressure on me. But, I think know who really did this. I am certain that the pony or ponies who blew up this building was or were..."

The whole crowd was silent, everpony was eagerly waiting for Twilight to say, the pony or ponies she blamed for this. Starlight and Trixie were shaking nervously. It was certain for them that Twilight is about to say their names and there is nothing they can do about it.

"Aw fuck it, IT WAS ME!" Twilight suddenly, out of nowhere, shouted it out that it was her, even tho that wasn't the case.

Starlight and Trixie were just starring at her with dead eyes and dropped jars.

"You were all right, I was the pony who did this, BECAUSE FUCK THE EQUESTRIAN RAILWAY COMPANY!" Twilight continued to shout furiously into the microphone, "These incompetent shitheads deserved nothing else than this! WHY THE FUCK CAN'T THEIR TRAINS BE ON TIME! Like I remember waiting for a train, THAT HAD HALF AN HOUR OF DELAY! WHY! HOW STUPID ARE THE PONIES WHO RUN THIS SHITTY ASS COMPANY. And these ticket rules! Who in Celestia's fuck is able to understand this shit! I'm considered to be one of the smartest ponies in Equestria, AND NOT EVEN I CAN UNDERSTAND THEM! It's like they are literately trying to scam you! FUCK THEM! I hate them, blame me for this all you want! I DON'T GIVE A SHIT!"

After Twilight was done with her loud and angry speech, pretty much the whole crowd began to cheer. They celebrated it like she did something great. It seemed like everypony in Equestria hates the Equestrian Railway Company just as much, if not even more than Starlight and Trixie, who were just standing there, being totally shocked on what the fuck just actually happened. Their brains were eventually able to process Twilight's speech and the fact that everpony hates the Equestrian Railway company. While they, especially Trixie, would have loved to get such a big crowd cheering for them, they were mostly just relieved that they didn't got in any trouble and have their reputations not getting even worse than they already were.

Afterwards, the two began to make themselves ready for their second attempt, to visit Sunburst and the Crystal Empire. This time, not via train, but via walking. Starlight packed some more stuff with her this time, as it would take them almost a day to reach the Crystal Empire. Trixie meanwhile took her trailer with her.

"Well it may take longer and be more physically exhausting, but it's much less stressful, is cheaper and has a higher success rate, am I right," Starlight said to her friend with a relieved tone in her voice.

"You can say that loudly," Trixie smugly replied, "Don't worry, walking this far is really not as bad as you think. I also put up a second hammock in my trailer. We will have to sleep a night while we are on the road, but I'm sure you won't mind it."

"Well even then, I won't mind it nearly as much as waiting forever, getting a fine and being kicked out," Starlight replied to her in an amused tone and they both chuckled afterwards.

Then, they began to make their way to the Crystal Empire. No train, no waiting, no tickets, just walking.

THE END