The Forgotten Queen

Chapter 2

Hoity Toity’s mansion, on the outskirts of Canterlot

The morning rays of Celestia’s sun shone through the bedroom window, waking Trixie up from her luxurious slumber. Letting out a long yawn, while rubbing her eyes she slowly dragged herself out of the bed. She let out a yelp of surprise to find Bertram standing near the entrance of her room, a slight scowl on his face.

“Ehem, I take it you slept well Madam Trixie?”

Trixie blushed noting that she still had bed mane. “Oh…um yes I spelt quite well, thank you. If you don’t mind I haven’t really gotten the chance to freshen up yet.”

“Of course Madam, the master requests you meet him in the dining room in thirty minutes for breakfast. I believe he was making a fruit salad, accompanied by cinnamon oatmeal. He insisted on making it himself. The master is quite the accomplished cook, if I do say so myself. Please enjoy your meal.”

“I will, enjoy the rest of your day…Bertram.”

“I shall, Madam. Ta-ta for now.”

Trixie made her way into the bathroom, noticing an ivory colored mane brush. She wasn’t quite sure if it was genuine ivory but judging from how rich Hoity was, she didn’t doubt it. Trixie picked up the brush with her magic and began to carefully straighten her silky white mane, deciding to tie a navy blue ribbon near the base to accentuate her coat. She also found that there were plenty of cosmetics in the cabinet, so she applied some blush and a bit of dark eye shadow. After all, she had to look presentable to her new employer.

Trixie made her way down the stairs, which led to the dining room. It was fairly large and the table in it could have seated at least twenty ponies. She noticed that there were two places set across from each other. The finest china had been spread out; it was white with gold trim, along with crystal glasses. Silver spoons and knives sat on each side of plate, underneath them a burgundy colored napkin.

She was just about to sit in one of the chairs, when Hoity appeared wearing what seemed to be a cooking apron. He trotted over to the table with a silver tray filled with all sorts of pastries, fruit salad, and two bowls of steaming hot oatmeal. The delicious smells wafted over to Trixie’s muzzle as she began to subconsciously drool. It had been far too long since she had a proper meal.

“Good Morning Ms. Trixie, I trust you slept well? I took the liberty of making breakfast this morning, since I’m sure you’re quite hungry.”

As if on cue, Trixie’s stomach made a loud rumble. She blushed furiously, hiding her face behind her hooves. Hoity just chuckled and set the tray in front of her.

“No need to be embarrassed dear, everypony gets hungry. Besides I take it as a compliment, that my food would be so enticing as to make somepony drool.”

Trixie quickly wiped her muzzle. “Sorry…it’s just been a long time since I had decent food. Being poor kind of limits your culinary options.”

Hoity nodded. “Ah yes, foul business that is. Don’t feel as if you need to apologize, it’s quite alright. I understand what you went through. It breaks my heart to see ponies have to live in such conditions. That is why I run several charities, dear. Oh, what’s this I see? You’ve styled your mane! Why it looks simply marvelous, and if I may say so that eye shadow makes your eyes pop.”

Trixie shuffled her hooves. “T-thank you. I’m glad you like it. I haven’t really had the chance to style myself lately. If I have the chance I like to make myself look presentable.”

“You are far more than presentable, Ms. Trixie, more like ravishing I would say. In any case please eat some breakfast, we have long day ahead of us.”

Trixie nibbled on some fruit salad. “What exactly do you have planned?”

“Well we’re going to have to stop in Canterlot to pick up some supplies. We’ll need to buy train tickets as well, oh and I can’t forget the medicine!”

“Train tickets? Where exactly are we going?”

“Why…to Minos of course! What did you think the dig site was in Equestria?”

“No, I didn’t realize we’d be traveling so far. I’m afraid I don’t have any supplies to pack, or bits to help pay for them.”

Hoity scoffed. “Not to worry I shall take care of those kinds of expenses, I am wealthy remember. Although I warn you, we might be in Minos for quite some time. It takes at least four days to reach the border by train alone.”

“That’s fine, it’s not like I have anything tying me down to Equestria anyway. I feel really bad that you have to take of the expenses, it makes me feel so…useless.”

“Hmm I understand, but you work for me now. As such your expedition expenses as well as living costs are covered. All you have to do is lend your magical talents to me, nothing more. Besides I enjoy your company, it’s not often that I have traveling companion with me. Please continue to enjoy your breakfast, I need to gear up.”

Trixie finished the rest of her breakfast and found Hoity waiting at the door, wearing a navy blue coverall suit, complete with a set of hoof boots and a backpack. He still wore his trademark sunglasses; however his mane had been tied in a braid and tucked under a military cap. The ashen earthpony was busy checking as Trixie trotted over to his side.

“I didn’t realize I was supposed to get dressed.”

Hoity let out a snort. “Oh well I already had this outfit ready to go. I took the liberty of having Bertram file your measurements while you slept. Your suit is sitting over there by the door. Feel free to take a few minutes and change.”

Trixie quickly donned her khaki uniform, complete with boots and cap and slid on the backpack sitting on the floor. The two ponies then made their way to a supply shop in the middle of Canterlot, buying such things as water, food, cooking equipment and excavation tools. Hoity once again got out his list, checking to see if he forgot anything.

“Excuse me Ms. Trixie, but do you happen to know how to teleport?”

“I do but why do you want to know?”

“We have everything ready for the trip except medical supplies. I buy those off of a mare who lives near the Everfree Forest, which as you may know is quite a distance from here.”

“I would need to concentrate but I think my teleportation spell could get us at least close to it.”

“Excellent, I would hate to make a lady walk too far. Plus I’d…rather not walk either.”

Trixie giggled. “Ok, hold on to my hoof this should only take a second. I warn you though, for non-unicorns teleporting sometimes causes extreme vertigo and nausea.”

“Pfft I’ve had worse. Ready when you are.”

With a flash of light blue magic, Trixie and Hoity were gone in an instant.

Zecora’s Hut, near the Everfree Forest

Trixie and Hoity materialized near a small hut, on the edge of the Everfree Forest. Trixie dusted herself off, glancing over at Hoity who had paled a few shades and was wobbly on his hooves. A few minutes later he was vomiting into some nearby bushes. Once he was done, Trixie helped him back onto his hooves.

“Ughh by Luna’s unshorn fetlocks, THAT WAS AWEFUL!”

Trixie clicked her tongue. “I told you that could happen. Can’t say I’m surprised, earthponies handle magic the worst. At least pegasai are used to flying around.”

“Alright, alright fine I was wrong. Just let me gather my bearings the next time you decide to teleport.”

“Say…I recognize this place. This is where that Zebra enchantress lives.”

Hoity cleared his throat. “Yes, her name is Zecora. She’s quite skilled at making medicine. Healing salves, ointments, stimulants, you name it she makes it.”

Hoity trotted over to the door of the hut and nocked three times. Not hearing a response he decided to shout. “Hello is anypony here; I’d like to purchase some medicine!”

Hoity hear the clopping of hooves against wood as the door opened to reveal a teenage mare. She was about Trixie’s height, but her coat was butter yellow. Atop her vibrant flowing red mane sat a small black Stetson. Her equally red tail was tied at the end to prevent it getting in the way as she walked.

“Howdy, welcome to Zecora’s medicine shop! Y’all need any help with anythin’?”

Trixie was about to dismiss the mare, but noticed she sported a strange cutie mark. It was an apple blossom with a mortar and pestle inside. Obviously, this was not the Zecora, but her assistant.

Hoity was the one who spoke up. “Why yes we were looking to purchase some items. My associate and I are going on a long journey and we need medicines and whatnot. If I may ask who are you my dear?”

“Mah name is Applebloom, and I’m one of Zecora’s new assistants. She’s been teaching me how ta make potions and whatnot, for the last couple months.”

“A pleasure to meet you Applebloom, I’m Hoity Toity and the unicorn next to me is Trixie. If you have any stimulants and healing salves in stock I’d like to buy some.”

Applebloom whistled. “Well butter mah flank, we got celebrities in the shop. Hey Frost get in here we got some customers!”

Hoity chuckled. “Oh I wouldn’t go that far, my dear. I may be a wealthy fashion guru, but I’m just like anypony else.”

While Applebloom and Hoity were socializing Trixie noticed another pony enter the room. He was a teenage unicorn stallion, who was completely white, like freshly fallen snow. Trixie had to control herself from gasping, as she had never seen a pony with such exotic coloring. He wore a small pair of glasses over his snout and had tied his long mane into a pony-tail. What really threw Trixie for a loop was his cutie mark. It was almost identical to Twilight Sparkle’s, except that it was dark blue. Perhaps he was a relative of hers? She quickly tried to look the other way, as it was rude to stare at somepony’s flank…most of the time.

Applebloom muzzled the white stallion. “Hey Frost, did ya finish those fertility pills yet?”

“Just got them done a few minutes ago. So what’s going on?”

“The two ponies over here wanna buy some caffeine supplements and healin’ salves. Ya mind usin’ yer magic ta get ‘em off the top shelf?”

The stallion levitated a few bottles onto the table. “There we go. Let’s see that should be a few months’ supply, is that enough?”

Hoity rubbed his chin. “Yes, that should be plenty. How much do I owe you?”

“I’d say fifty bits should cover it.”

“Here’s one hundred bits, go buy something nice for your marefriend.”

“Will do sir. My name’s Frostmere, I started working here about four months ago. I can’t say that I know who you are.”

“Well isn’t this rare, a pony who has no idea who I am. I’m Hoity Toity; I deal in selling top of the line merchandise to both stallions and mares.”

Frostmere laughed nervously. “Sorry…you could say I’m new to Equestria, I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s nice to meet you anyway.”

“Think nothing of it! I was more surprised than offended dear boy. Just out of curiosity, where is Zecora?”

“She went off ta see her relatives back in Zebrica. Ah reckon she won’t be back for at least another month. That’s probably why she was so happy ta take on apprentices, cause she’s been runnin’ the show all by herself since she came ta Ponyville.”

“I’ve taken the liberty of writing her a thank you note. Please make sure that she receives it, and give her my regards as well.”

Frostmere nodded. “Don’t worry we will. Have a pleasant journey.”

“Thank you. Come along Ms. Trixie we have a train to catch!”

Golden Oaks Library, Ponyville

Big Mac sat on the couch across from Zog, while sipping a cup of coffee. He made sure to keep his voice down, so he wouldn’t disturb his marefriend’s nap. Celestia knew she needed the rest. Twilight in her usual obsessive manner had forgone sleep in order to conduct research on the crystal. According to Iron Cross, it was the object that Frostmere had sealed Zog into so he wouldn’t interfere anymore.

While it was a little hard to believe that Zog had previously shared Pinkie Pie’s body, Big Mac could tell that he wasn’t lying about it. Also, it would certainly explain why Pinkie had such strange world altering abilities. The Targarian had long since slurped his coffee down and was playing with a conjured rubber bouncy ball, a bored look on his face.

Mac cleared his throat. “Ah know Twi was givin’ ya hard time but she hasn’t been getting’ much rest as of late. So, if it ain’t too much ta ask, would ya mind forgivin’ her?”

Zog rubbed a hoof through his mane. “Umm…I suppose I was being a bit rude as well. You must understand I haven’t been able to use my own body for more than two millennia. I forgive her, so long as she forgives me.”

“I’m sure she will. Trust me, that nap of hers will do wonders ta improve her mood.”

“Hmm yes one can hope. Perhaps she should also consider bathing? She reeked of stale sweat and musty old books. You know if you’re into that kind of thing I won’t judge…”

Mac rolled his eyes. “Yeah there’s that too. Hay, I’m a farmin’ pony and even ah know when ta take a bath. I’ll…make sure ta remind her when she wakes up. Since you’ve been locked up for a while, I was wonderin’ if ya wanted ta get a bite ta eat.”

“Oooh that would be positively delightful! What did you have in mind?”

“Well, there’s Sugarcube Corner if you’re in to sweets…that is.”

“Ah yes how could I forget? I love sweets and this will give me a chance to drop in on my favorite pink hurricane.”

Mac finished his coffee and headed out the door with Zog floating behind him. As they walked through Ponyville they were met by strange looks from the townsponies. Zog was wearing a grin so wide, that Mac thought it could possibly rip his face apart. With a flourish of his hoof, Zog played music that seemingly came from nowhere. He took to the ground and began wiggling his rump to the beat of the song.

“WE’RE GOING TO SUGARCUBE CORNER!!”

Big Mac merely gave a sheepish look to the stunned crowd, not really understanding what was going on either. He picked up the pace, wanting to get to Sugarcube corner as quickly as possible. They entered the shop, jingling a small golden bell. Mrs. Cake trotted up to them, looking slightly surprised.

“Why hello dears, what can I get you today?”

“Well ah think we’ll have two of your finest croissants.”

“Such refined taste, very well. I’ll have those out in a jiffy dear.”

Zog curled an ethereal moustache. “Zoot allures, ze gentlecolt has very fine tastes in le pastries!”

Just then they heard a thumping of hooves upon the floor, only to see Pinkie Pie come barreling down the stairs with a goofy grin on her face. She did a double take around the room, and then shouted at the top of her lungs.

“PASTRIES, WHERE!?”

Noticing a muffin sitting on the counter she quickly gobbled it up. With crumbs still stuck on her muzzle she levitated several meters into the air, looking like she’d seen a ghost.

Pinkie gasped. “Zoggy? Is that YOU?”

Zog leapt across the room tackling Pinkie with a full powered glomp. “Pinkie! Oh it’s been far too long my dear! I’ve missed you sooooooo much.”

The pink mare giggled burying her muzzle into his chest. “Oh my gosh, it really is you. I can’t believe it. This soooo super specially awesome!”

“I’m sorry that I couldn’t visit earlier, I was kind of trapped in that crystal. I felt so bad about using your body to fight that retched alicorn, but it’s such a relief to see that you’re ok.”

Zog felt something wet on his chest, noticing that Pinkie had tightened her grip. He sighed and ran a hoof through her mane. Her grip lessened somewhat, but he could her hyperventilating slightly. When she spoke, her tone was softer than before.

“I’m glad you’re back Zoggy. I was really worried about you. I thought…you were gone forever.”

“Shh it’s ok now, I’m here to stay. You can thank your egg headed friend for releasing me from the crystal. The reminds me…I still owe her three gifts.”

Pinkie wiped her eyes. “Ok, well I’m gonna have to throw you a welcome back party ya know.”

“I know, I know. I trust you’ve met Big Mac before?”

“Yeperoony, sure have! Wait a minute where’s Twilight?”

“She wasn’t feelin’ too well, had ta get some rest on account of stayin’ up too late.”

“Silly Twilight, always studying too much! Sleep is really important if you don’t want to be a grumpy dump all the time.”

Mac let out a knowing grunt. “She gets upset over the strangest things sometimes, but between you and me she’s adorable when she throws those little tantrums of hers. Don’t tell her ah said that though; she might be inclined ta usin’ some unpleasant magic on me.”

“Don’t worry Mac, you’re secret is safe with good ole’ aunt Pinkie.”

“Pinkie I’m well over…”

Pinkie stuffed her hoof in Mac’s mouth. “I know you are, but just listen anyway ok?”

“Soooo Mac, how’s your sister doing?”

“She’s doin’ alright ah suppose. Iron and her have been thinkin’ about gettin’ hitched, but nothin’ real concrete at this point. Ah suppose there’s gonna come a point where they’ll want to move out and get a house of their own, might have ta think about hirin’ a new farmpony.”

“Aww that’s so romantic! I’ll have to throw the bachelorette party for them. Oooh and do you think they’ll let me handle the foal-shower too?”

“Now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves Pinkie. Ah ain’t even sure if Applejack wants a foal right now. If she ever got pregnant, it would drive her hog-wild. If there’s one thing mah sister hates, it’s sittin’ around doin’ nothin’.”

“Yeah she’s sort of like the earthpony version of Dashie.”

“Ah reckon you’re right. In fact if Rainbow Dash was a colt, mah sister would’ve jumped on her quicker than a rattlesnake pouncin’ on a rabbit.”

Zog started eating a bag of popcorn. “Oh the wonders of rule sixty three. Alternate universes are always so fascinating.”

“What the hay is umm…rule sixty three?”

Pinkie just giggled while Zog donned a sweater vest and a pair of hipster glasses.

“I’m afraid you wouldn’t understand my good stallion. SERIOUS alternate universe BUSSINESS. The wonderful, terrible things I know would devastate your poor pony brain. Let’s just leave it at that shall we?”

Mac munched on his croissant. “Alright, ah guess I’m just not meant ta know certain things.”

“Way to be a good sport Mac old pal! If it were Twilight asking me, she’d bother me for weeks until I told her, instead I’d just simply show her a rather…saucy universe with her alter ego. She’d write the princess a letter and we would simply sit back and watch the carnage ensue.”

“If ya even think about doin’ that Zog, I’ll kick ya so hard you’d need a straw ta eat.”

Zog gulped. “Ha…ha well I was only kidding. I know how much you care for Twilight, besides I don’t really want to incur the wrath of Celestia. Discord did and look where that got him.”

Mac grinned. “Well, then ah think we have ourselves an understandin’. By the way Pinkie, do you think we should tell Princess Celestia about Zog? She’s certainly gonna want ta know about somepony who acts like Discord.”

“Now hold on just a minute! I am most certainly not Discord. That oaf just decides to create chaos on a whimsy, for his own selfish needs. I am more refined than that. Right Pinkie?”

Pinkie nuzzled Zog once again. “It’s ok Mac, Zog is just a big softie once you get to know him. There’s NO way he could ever be as much of a meanie pants as Dissy. But…he can be kind of weird sometimes.”

“Me weird, oh well that’s rich coming from the pony who can eat an entire cake without getting diabetes.”

“Dia-what?”

“Never mind dear. I think I’ll go visit her royal-shininess on my own accord. Who knows, maybe she enjoys a good prank?”