The Forgotten Queen

Chapter 1

Market District, Canterlot

It was a cloudy afternoon in Canterlot. Rich and well-dressed ponies ambled about, shopping at the finest stores in all Equestria. A small crowd had gathered outside a tea shop, in anticipation of a dazzling magical performance by a street magician. An impromptu stage, consisting of a wooden crate had been erected so that the magician could stand on it, giving the audience a better view of the show. The street performer was an icy blue mare with a silky white mane and tail. She sported a somewhat battered hat and cape covered in silver stars. She stepped on top of the crate and faced towards her small audience.

“Come one come all, ponies of all ages! Witness feats of magic and illusion, the likes of which you have never seen. Be dazzled by the Great and Powerful Trixie!”

Trixie ignited her horn with a soft blue aura, showering the air above her with fireworks of red and silver hues. The crowd let out a soft murmur at the display. She scanned the crowd to find a mare or stallion that had a piece of clothing she could use for her next trick. Trixie saw a beige colored stallion sporting a silver pocket watch standing in the front row.

“For my first trick I’m going to need a volunteer! Why you sir, the dashing stallion with the fine pocket watch, would you mind helping me with my show?”

The beige stallion let out a chortle. “Oh ho such a charmer, well I can’t fault you for having good taste. Very well, what do I need to do?”

“The great and powerful Trixie just needs to borrow your watch, only for a moment.”

“Hmm…alright but do be careful it is a family heirloom.”

“Trixie promises she shall take the utmost care with your precious possession.”

Trixie focused on the watch, allowing it to levitate in the air. It glowed for several seconds, until it transformed into a gold colored phoenix. The mechanical bird flew in the sky, making dives at the crowd and screeching majestically. Meanwhile, Trixie began to sweat trying to focus on maintaining the illusion. It took a massive amount of magic and concentration to produce such a complex spell. She began to feel light headed, seeing spots as the bird continued to soar above the crowd.

Trixie’s vision began to blur as she vomited onto several members of the crowd. If that wasn’t bad enough the spell had been maintaining, backfired making the phoenix explode in midair. The crowd began to disperse in panic, leaving only a few bystanders, including the beige stallion. When Trixie finally composed herself he glared at her with the intensity of Celestia’s sun.

“YOU CHARLITEN, HOW DARE YOU DESTORY MY FATHER’S WATCH!! I should have you arrested for destruction of property. You’re just a pathetic, dirty pauper who fancies herself a high class entertainer.”

The beige stallion spat on her mane and trotted away in a huff, leaving Trixie laying on the cold stone street. She sighed brushing the saliva out of her mane, dragging herself to an alleyway. The clouds from earlier had begun to unleash a slight downpour as she sat inside a makeshift tent. The shelter did little to keep the rain out and as such it began to soak her to the very bone.

With a light sniff she began to sob, not caring about her pride or anything else. She was tired of  failing, she knew that if only she had had more to eat, then maybe the magic strain wouldn’t have made her sick. But alas, she was extremely poor and could only afford the most meager morsels of bread. Trixie curled herself into a ball trying to get some semblance of sleep, when she heard of voice.

“Umm hello there are you ok?”

Trixie hiccupped. “What…do you want? Did you come her to insult me…if so please go away.”

The voice came from a cloaked stallion that was standing at the entrance of the alleyway. His cloak was a rich, dark blue and was held together by a sliver broach. The cut of it suggested that he was fairly wealthy.

“You poor thing…no I am not here to insult you. I-I just overheard you crying and thought you might…”

Trixie let out another raspy sob. “Might what, be the most pathetic pony in all Canterlot? I’m just a failure…leave to my sorrows.”

The stallion patted Trixie on the shoulder. “Listen, I want to help you, not harm you. Come, follow me I have a house near here.”

With nothing left to lose, Trixie sighed and decided to follow the mysterious Stallion.

The pair of ponies walked about two kilometers outside of the Canterlot city limits, until they came upon a large house. It was a rather large mansion, reminding Trixie of the Palace of Versaddles in Prance. The front lawn was a lush green and maintained to perfection. If Trixie didn’t know any better she’d swear it was green carpet. Once inside she noticed a yellow coated stallion in a suit with a slicked black mane standing near a large, winding staircase. The suited stallion merely gave a nod as they entered the room.

“Ah good evening sir, I noticed we have a…guest.”

The cloaked stallion chuckled. “Yes, Bertram would be kind enough to show this lovely mare to the bathroom? I’m certain she’s chilled to the bone and could use a nice, hot shower.”

“Of course, sir. Madam, if you would be so kind as to follow me please.”

Trixie tried her best to conceal a squee, but failed miserably. It had been ages since she a hot shower. With a noticeable spring in her step she followed the butler up the stairs to the bathroom. To say that the bathroom was luxurious was to compare a foal’s school craft project to a work of art. The entire floor was expensive imported marble, and no doubt the sink and tub were made of hoof crafted silver. Trixie gingerly twisted the knobs, allowing the steaming hot water to wash over her tired body. Even though she felt like she could spend hours in here, it was more prudent to find the shampoo and body wash and make herself presentable once more. She found a bottle of conditioner that smelled like lilacs and quickly lathered her mane and tail, making them silky smooth once again.

Toweling herself off quickly, Trixie exited the bathroom to find the butler waiting for her. She blushed slightly in embarrassment, realizing that he must have been waiting for her.

“Oh…umm sorry I didn’t realize you were waiting. I could have washed up more quickly had I known.”

Bertram arched an eyebrow. “Trust me madam, it is of no consequence. I have waited longer, for far stranger occasions.”

Trixie let out a small sigh of relief. “Good, I don’t mean to be a bother but I’m afraid I don’t know my way around the house.”

“The master has instructed me to escort you to the library. Please follow me.”

The ponies made their way to a large library, where the previously cloaked stallion was sitting in a plush, velvet chair in front of a marble fireplace, enjoying a glass of wine. He motioned for Trixie to take a seat next to him. She complied, gingerly planting herself on a chair next to his. The stallion was striking to say the least. He had a gray coat, but most of his body was covered by a burgundy robe. His mane and tail were an odd swirling of white and gray, styled in a side lock. Trixie noted that his cutie mark was a gold fan. She couldn’t quite put her hoof on it, but it seemed familiar.

“I take it you found the shower?”

“Yes I did. I wanted to thank you for your hospitality. You’ve been so kind to me and you don’t even know my name.”

“Think nothing of it, my dear. I was just helping a pony in need. My name is Hoity-Toity, and you’re the Great and Powerful Trixie I assume?”

Trixie gasped. “WHAT? Y-you’re the Hoity-Toity? Only the most famous fashion guru in all Equestria! How did you know my name?”

Hoity smiled. “It seems my reputation precedes me. As for your name, I figured that out when I saw your little show earlier.”

Trixie blushed. “Oh…you saw that?”

“No need to be embarrassed dear, it was quite the display. I dare say, I was impressed! Why only unicorns of the highest caliber can perform such spells.”

“But I failed…”

Hoity interrupted Trixie. “Now, now none of that kind of talk. You are a gifted unicorn and that is that. It just so happens I’m in need of a talented unicorn.”

“Why would you need somepony like me?”

“You see Ms. Trixie, my profession may be in the world of fashion, but I absolutely adore archeology. It is my passion, to collect rare antiques and learn about ancient cultures. In fact, I have funded some of the museums around Canterlot and some of their expeditions.”

“Well that’s very interesting Mr. Toity, but what does that have to do with me?”

“My dear, it has everything to do with you. I recently funded an expedition in a faraway land and I’m in need of a magic expert. The problem with ancient ruins is that they sometimes contain magical traps or artifacts that might have enchantments. I am an earthpony, so I have no skill in such matters. You, however are.”

“Why would you want me and not somepony like Twilight Sparkle?”

“I don’t think Ms. Sparkle would have the time, nor the desire to engage in my enterprises. You are perfect though.”

Trixie scowled. “Are you insinuating something?”

“Oh dear I hadn’t meant to be rude about your…erm current situation. I thought that you would like a well-paying job and a place to stay. Ms. Sparkle doesn’t really have the time to travel outside of the country, but you do.”

“So, this job involves getting out of Equestria?”

“As a matter of fact it does. When I said I was interested in ancient ruins, I didn’t just mean Equestria. Why just recently, one of my scouts told me there were some ancient ruins found in Minos that may be of interest. They are supremely old, well over ten thousand years old.”

Trixie quietly sipped her tea in thought. “If I decided to do this and I mean if, what would I be doing?”

“You would accompany me to the site and scan the ruins with your magic. If there are any traps or hexes you would disable them. Simple right?”

“Well…yes I suppose I could dispel hexes easily enough, they are part of illusion magic. Very well I shall work for you Mr. Toity.”

Hoity rubbed his hooves together. “Ah excellent, I’ll have Bertram draw up the contract later. For now just enjoy the mansion, you are my guest after all.”

“I-I couldn’t possibly stay here…even if I work for you. I don’t want to impose.”

“Nonsense, you are not imposing dear. I live alone in this house, so it’s nice to have some company every once and a while. Between you and me, Bertram can be rather dour at times.”

Trixie giggled. “Yes I could tell right away. I felt bad about making him wait till I was done with my shower. He doesn’t get out much does he?”

“I’m afraid not. Regardless of his demeanor, he is without a doubt one of the most loyal butlers I’ve ever had the pleasure to employ. Do you care for any wine dear?”

“Hmm no, I’ll stick with tea thanks.”

Trixie took another sip of her orange spice tea noticing a small picture sitting on top of the fireplace mantle. She got up from her chair and examined it. The picture seemed a bit dated and showed Hoity Toity dressed in a khaki colored uniform along with a grinning pegasus mare next to him. They seemed to be near a dig site in some far of jungle. The pegasus had a butterscotch colored coat and a scruffy black-grey mane. She too was wearing some sort of uniform. Trixie thought the mare looked familiar but couldn’t quite put her hoof on it.

Trixie was interrupted by Hoity placing a hoof on her shoulder. “That picture brings back some memories, that’s for sure. It was taken about three years ago, in the jungles of South Amareica.”

“Who is the mare, she looks familiar somehow.”

“Why that’s my daughter, Daring Do. Surely you’ve heard of her?”

Trixie gasped. “What? The Daring Do? I never knew you were her father.”

“Yes, I tend to keep that one a secret from the mainstream media. About fifteen years ago I had visited Manehatten to attend an opera, The Barber of Neighville if I’m not mistaken. Anyway, I was walking to my hotel when I happened to come across an orphanage. Sometimes I like to give money to charities; I’m a bit of a philanthropist. In this case I took a gander inside and found that most of the foals were running around, screaming and roughhousing as they often do. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a little butterscotch pegasus, snout deep in a book about archaeology, and the rest is history.”

“Now I see why you two get along so well, since you both like ancient stuff so much.”

Hoity sighed. “She was such a rambunctious filly, always filled with wanderlust. That’s what I love about her; she never seemed to have lost her taste for adventure. Although that stubborn mare doesn’t write to her father very often. For Celestia’s sake, she hasn’t written to me in four months!”

“Four months? Why would she wait that long?”

“Well…it’s because she’s busy excavating some new underwater city off the coast of Neighpon. I suppose she must be busy, can’t say I blame her. Neighponese culture is simply fascinating. She always writes me back, no matter what, it will just take her a while longer that’s all.”

Trixie let out a yawn. “That’s nice…oh sorry I’m feeling a bit exhausted. Do you mind directing me to your guest room?”

“Oh dear, I’m sorry I forgot how late it was. You certainly deserve some rest after today’s ordeal. Just follow me.”

Hoity led Trixie up a flight stairs which led to a long hallway. He opened the door to a room that was elegant but simply furnished at the same time. It had a small dresser, a bathroom, vanity mirror and a twin sized bed near the window. Trixie climbed into the bed, relishing the soft velvety sheets as she sank her head into the pegasus feather pillow.

Hoity tucked her in and stared at her. Trixie hadn’t noticed before, but he had exotically colored red irises that seemed to sparkle like rubies in the moonlight. He must have caught her looking, as he adopted a slight grin.

Trixie blushed, pulling the covers up to her muzzle. “Sorry I-I didn’t mean to stare…”

Hoity waggled his eyebrows. “Like what you see?”

“I have to admit you have the most…entrancing eyes. I don’t think I’ve ever seen somepony with red eyes before.”

“For what it’s worth I’m glad you find them appealing, so many ponies are afraid of them. That’s why I wear sunglasses all the time, that and they tend to be sensitive to light.”

“You’re welcome. Sleep well Mr. Toity.”

Hoity patted Trixie on the head. “Sweet dreams Ms. Trixie.”

Golden Oakes Library, Ponyville

Twilight Sparkle scrunched her eyes in concentration at the yellow crystal placed before her. For months she had tried to figure out just what it was, testing it with every tool in her arsenal. It had been found near where Frostmere and Iron were battling, several months prior. Grunting in frustration she decided to blast the stubborn rock with a magic bolt just to see what would happen. She yelped in surprise as the crystal hovered above her and glowed like the sun, sending a magical shockwave towards her. The poor mare was launched into a nearby wall as the gem floated towards her. To her surprise it began to speak.

Finally somepony decided to use their noggin! But if you wouldn’t mind could you possibly release me from here, it’s a bit cramped.

Twilight’s pupils shrank in shock. “Huu-what now? How can you be talking? What are you?”

Oh silly me, I never introduced myself before. The name’s Zog. Old Frosty imprisoned me during the fight and it seems like everypony decided to forget about me! Well guess what Ms. Sparkle you get three wishes…if you can free me that is.

“What are you some kind of genie? Everypony knows they aren’t real. ANYWAY, how would I even go about freeing you?”

I’m not really a genie per say, but I do have a lot of magic! SO basically you would get some free stuff. Ya know, you scratch my back, I scratch yours. All ya have to do to release me is take a hammer and whack the crystal.

Twilight grit her teeth. “You mean to tell me I’ve been wasting the last four months using every scientific instrument known to pony-kind and all I had to do was USE A HAMMER?!”

You know Ms. Sparkle you really shouldn’t get so angry; it’ll give you high blood pressure. OH and the wrinkles, don’t forget the wrinkles!

With an angry growl Twilight took the hammer and smashed the crystal with all her might. The crystal shattered into a thousand pieces, and just when she was about to get angry that nothing was happening a bright light flashed in the room. Before her floating a meter off the ground was a glowing pink stallion?

No, it wasn’t quite a stallion. He had two ram horns sticking out from the sides of his head and a whispy neon purple mane and tail, which seemed to have a life of its own. His eyes, if you could call them that, were just blue glowing orbs. They resembled the eyes of a changeling. The stallion-thing also had a small pair of canines protruding from his muzzle.

Popping the bones in his neck, Zog floated over to Twilight. “Oy! Spending a few thousand years in small, confined spaces gives ya such a crick in the NECK!”

Twilight cringed. “Oh…lucky me, I just released some weird goat-pony thing.”

Zog giggled. “No, my dear Sparkles I’m a Targarian, you know from the planet Targaria? Why its two universes to the left past the giant black hole, can’t miss it!”

Twilight stared at Zog dumfounded, while he smooshed her cheeks together.

“Aww how cute, the wittle egghead pony can’t comprehend reality beyond her itsy-bitsy universe. Don’t worry though you are ignorant, I am a Targarian of my word! You shall receive three wonderful gifts, just name them dearie.”

Before she could reply somepony knocked on the door. “Twi are ya alright in there? Ah hear some strange noises down there, do ya need any help?”

“I’m fine Big Mac; we just have a new guest to deal with.”

“A guest, well why don’t ya introduce us?”

“I’m…not sure you’d want to meet him. He’s strange.”

“You should be ashamed of yerself Twi, judging a pony like that. It ain’t polite!”

Twilight huffed. “Grrgghh you don’t understand, he’s not from around here.”

“That still ain’t a good reason ta harp on him.”

Zog made an angel halo appear above his head. “Why I’m just a little angel, I’d never do anything to upset anypony.”

Big Mac gave Zog a firm hoof shake. “The name’s Big Mac, nice ta meet ya. What’s yer name?”

Zog bowed. “Mah name is Zog, pleeeeased ta make yer acquaintance Mr. Big Mac. You suurrre do have a mighty fine hoofshake.”

“The honor is mine Mr. Zog.”

Zog put on a top hat and monocle out of thin air. “Like a sir. See Twinkie, I’m not so bad. I’m sure we can become the bestest of pals, I’m sure Pinkie will approve.”

“My name’s not Twinkie or Sparkles, its TWILIGHT!!”

Zog picked at one of his teeth. “Meh, whatever you say Twerpy Spatula.”

Twilight stomped out of the room grumbling something about lamps, followed closely by Big Mac. The farmer stallion knew how irritable she could get when she didn’t sleep, due to long nights of research. She sat on the couch with a grumpy frown, angrily slurping a cup of tea. Mac trotted over and sat next to her, rubbing her back with his hoof.

“Now there ain’t no reason for ya ta be so upset Twi. Ah know this Zog fella can be a might annoyin’ but just try ta relax a bit. He’s not gonna make the world explode.”

Twilight let out a sigh. “I know…it’s just that I spent the last few months analyzing that crystal and all I got out of it was some kind of annoying Discord goat-pony thing. Pinkie told me about him, but I just didn’t believe her. Those two would get along just fine, but he…gets on my nerves.”

“He’ll just take a bit of gettin’ used to that’s all. Why don’t ya catch up on some sleep. I’ll entertain our new guest.”

“Ok…but if he does anything weird, wake me up right away got it?”

“Eeyup.”