Act I: Path of Fomalhaut.

One-thousand, three hundred and forty-two, Trixie idly thought to herself as she lowered her forehoof back to the bed. She blinked at the ceiling, realizing she was out of dots to count. Her parched mouth seemed to grow even drier as her head throbbed, blurry images and faint whispers began forming within her mind, slowly thudding to life as Trixie closed her eyes, cutting off the weak light of the setting sun.

A muffled screech rang out from down the hall, a sound Trixie recognized as the heavy, metal door being slid open, marking the arrival of a visitor. Trixie’s eyes reluctantly took in the world around her as she sighed, banishing the arising images and letting her mind focus on the approaching hoofbeats.

Here for me again, no doubt. Trixie thought idly as she pulled her blankets over her body, ignoring the stench of the old fabric. What is it this time? Another so called ‘therapist’? I wish these idiots would just leave me alone...

As predicted, the sound of hoofbeats grew louder as they drew closer, stopping just outside her door. Trixie blinked in the darkness, waiting to hear the sound of the door being unlocked. It never came. Frowning slightly, Trixie lowered the blanket from over her head and blinked as her eyes adjusted to the light.

“Welcome to the world of the living, your highness. Have you finally decided to grace us lesser beings with your presence?” Trixie felt her eye twitch at the mocking voice that echoed from the other side of her room. A gray-coated mare stood there, wearing an arrogant smirk, her golden, slitted eyes twinkling with confidence.

Trixie growled, horn glowing as her untouched meal tray flew across the room, straight into the face of the intruder. Despite the speed of the metal projectile however, the mare simply leaned to the side, smoothly dodging it. “I’ll take that as a yes, then,” she chirped, baring her fangs as her smile widened. She shook her black-and-purple mane, inspecting it for bits of food while humming to herself.

Trixie sighed. Congratulations Princess. You’ve found a way to harass me even further... A quick glance told Trixie everything she needed to know. The coat color, fangs, bat wings, golden eyes. She was dealing with one of Luna’s Night Guard, and judging by her lack of armor, likely the commander.

Now what are you here for? Blackmail me into being Luna’s pawn? Or maybe I’ll get lucky and she’ll try to kill me... Trixie merely fixed the guard with a blank stare as she slowly slipped into a sitting position. Her form was completely still save for her beating heart and heaving chest.

“I take it I have your attention then? Lovely.” The guard winked as she stood on her hind legs, leaning her back against the door and crossing her forearms in a fairly alien resting position. “My name is Summer Fields. Night Guard Commander for Princess Luna and, apparently of late, a messenger.”

Correct on both counts. Why in Tartarus can’t that infernal mare just leave me out of her damned games and mess with someone else’s life? Trixie idly blinked and simply stared at nothing in particular.

Summer Fields glanced at the window on the far side of the cell, watching the sun slip over the horizon before looking back at Trixie. “Princess Luna sent me to give you a message, for obvious reasons, Mrs. Stick-up-her-plot.” Summer rubbed her throat with one forearm before crossing it back over her barrel. “Princess Celestia is trying to have your sentence changed up. If you accept, you’ll get to go to Ponyville. Lucky you. But that’s not what I’m here to tell you.” Summer Fields’ smirk fell and her tone hardened.

“Princess Celestia isn’t to be trusted. You may have issues with Princess Luna, but there's far worse things in this world than death, hat-rack, as I’m sure you are aware.

“Princess Luna’s desires are as follows: when Princess Celestia offers to change your sentence, accept and request that mailing to Princess Luna be part of your rehabilitation. You will give Celestia a proper explanation regarding your origins and family if pressed. However, any information given must be incorrect. Under no circumstances are you to tell her about the journal, your destiny, or your upbringing.”

Trixie’s muscles tensed as her glassy, distant expression found itself clear, sharp and locked on Summer Fields’ face. Yet more political bullshit and threats, is that it? I didn’t fall for her pity trap so she tries to outright threaten me? No, I’ve had enough of this to last a lifetime. “Not interested,” Trixie replied curtly.

“Maybe ‘messenger’ was a bit misleading. This isn’t really a request,” Summer replied, her grin returning.

“Don’t care. How do you intend to force me? Going to try and threaten to kill me?” Trixie shot back, a faint, morbid grimace momentarily appearing on her muzzle.

“Oh, of course not. We both know that wouldn’t work. No, I have something you want, something that you will be willing to play along to get, no matter how much you hate it.” Summer Fields winked, radiating confidence. “How many dots are on the ceiling?”

“One-thousand, three hundred and forty-two,” Trixie automatically responded before literally biting her tongue and glaring at Summer Fields.

“Bang! I got your number right here, hat-rack. You will play along, because staying here is incredibly boring and you can’t stand it. Sure, you hate Equestria and all that, but that doesn’t prevent you from getting bored, wasting away in here for eternity with nothing to do but stare at the walls.” Summer dropped to all fours and silently slid the heavy, metal door open. “You’ll be getting pulled out to court tomorrow morning if all goes well. Enjoy your evening, hat-rack.” With that, she slipped out the door, closing it behind her.

Trixie stared at the closed door as the remaining light slowly vanished with the sun. Then with a sigh, she started to slip from her bed. Before her hooves could touch the floor, however, the door creaked open, demanding attention.

"Hey, me again," Summer Fields chirped. "One last thing: if you’re thinking of trying to pretend that you are clever and leave out that you want to write to Princess Luna, we’ll assume you are requesting to have her pop into your dreams instead. Enjoy your stargazing!” Summer winked and slid the door shut as Trixie's pillow sailed toward it, colliding with a light pomf before sliding to the floor.

Trixie stared at the closed door for several minutes, daring it to open. As the moon took its place in the night sky, the portal remained closed. With a ragged sigh, Trixie slipped off her bed and onto the cold floor. Her gaze rested on the window at the far end of the cell as she walked toward it. Idiots! How can they be so simple-minded as to believe that mere boredom would make me willing to go along with their self-righteous, delusional schemes? Trixie’s face grew red, hot with frustration as she approached the window, taking her usual sitting position with a rough plop.

Her muzzle jutted out from between the bars and into the chill night air. Her eyes locked onto the stars, starting in the far left and slowly working their way across the sky, silently mouthing the names of constellations as she did so. Maybe I’ll tell Celestia about Luna’s scheme... I despise that ignorant, hypocritical mare. But naive or not, she’s not manipulative or an intentional liar. She, at least, wouldn’t backstab me the second it suits her. Not with those idealistic ethics of hers.

She paused to lick her muzzle, leaving it feeling warm and moist against the howling gusts of wind that viciously whipped against the outer shell of the stone tower. Her eyes continued to flick to and fro over the stars, following the familiar patterns of the night sky. After each completed constellation Trixie relaxed more, continuously licking her muzzle.

Her anger had almost completely dissipated when her mouth stopped halfway through a constellation. Trixie’s eyes widened and her body tensed, as if frozen in time. Even the cold, bitter wind seemed to cease its movement as she stared at a newly formed hole in the sky. Several stars had vanished, leaving inky darkness in their wake.

Trixie’s heart pounded violently against her ribcage as she backed away from the window, her normally ragged breaths now barely able to slip past her muzzle. A few steps more and Trixie became aware of blood on the bars of her cell. Her eyes darted down. Fresh blood dripped slowly from the sides of her mouth and coated her muzzle. Her vision blurred as her eyes shot back to the hole in the sky. She took another step back, silently mouthing half-thought words while blood dribbled down her neck. Another step and the room began to spin around her, but instead of cool stone, her hoof connected with cold steel and gravy. A loud clang broke the silence as Trixie found her hind legs in front of her face, wind rushing through her mane as she flipped over. She landed on her back with a loud crack, followed by a muffled thump as the back of her head connected with the stone. Trixie’s vision cleared as blood pooled behind her head and back, forming macabre silhouettes of extended wings and twisted halo around her limp body in the shadow of the moonlight. Trixie’s mouth slowly opened. Her bleeding and cracked tongue writhed against her dried mouth as she finally found her voice. Hysterical laughter filled the room, relentlessly carrying throughout the dungeon.

Trixie’s chest heaved as her body strained from her excessive laughter, but she continued, even as her eyes drooped from the blood loss, only stopping once her mind was submerged in the murky waters of unconsciousness.

Knock, knock.

Trixie’s ears twitched as the pleasant buzzing sensation in her head was interrupted, along with her restful sleep. Nevertheless, her eyes remained shut as she pulled her blanket over her face. She sighed as she felt her body slowly fall back into sleep.

The knocking continued, more insistent this time, “Trixie, are you awake? I need to talk to you,” inquired a familiar voice.

Trixie reluctantly removed her blanket and slipped out of bed, blearily rubbing her eyes in the process. “I’m awake, what do you wa--” Trixie paused to let out a sleepy yawn, and shake her head. “Want, Armor?”

The cell door slid open, creaking in protest as Shining Armor poked his head into the room, followed by the rest of his body. “Glad to see you got out of bed on your own. Finally started to take your rehabilitation seriously, I take it?”

Trixie fought to keep her expression straight as several memories of Shining pulling her, kicking and screaming, out of the comfort of her bed early in the morning as part of some torture called ‘developing good habits’ flashed by her eyes. “Yes I did, Shining Armor,” Trixie replied robotically, doing her best to not roll her eyes. Just when I had thought there was nothing more annoying than multiple visits by doctors, Celestia sent this arrogant moron to try and teach me ‘good habits.’ is he too stupid to realize that I only play along because he’s a self-righteous, hypocritical brute?

“That is very good to hear, Trixie. Now...” Shining looked at the floor of the cell, frowning at the food smeared halfway across it. “What did I tell you about cleanliness? And eating your food over decorating the floor with it?” Shining’s frown deepened as he stared directly into Trixie’s eyes. “You weren’t throwing your tray at the therapists again, were you?”

Annnd, that’s an overwhelming, ‘No’. “Sorry, I dropped it, but the warden decided to ignore me when I called for a bucket to clean it up,” Trixie smoothly responded, resisting the urge to yawn again. “Why did you need to talk to me?”

Shining shifted his weight, repositioning his guard uniform. “Celestia would like to request an audience with you, regarding a different route to take your rehabilitation. I highly recommend taking her up on her offer, though the decision is ultimately up to you.”

Trixie blinked, the morning haze on her mind shattering as she became completely awake. A flurry of images flashed through her mind, along with the distant echo of her own laughter. She lifted a hoof and looked at the floor. The surface was clean, save for the dried gravy smeared across it. Figures, she thought as she looked back up at Shining Armor. “I’ll go,” she answered evenly, struggling to contain the question that had driven itself into her skull.

If Shining Armor was surprised, he didn’t show it. He merely nodded in recognition and moved out of Trixie’s way. The two guards that had acted as his escort were now visible in the hallway.  As Shining Armor stepped to the side, Trixie glanced towards the window, her brow furrowing.

Is this what hope feels like? She barely noticed, or cared about the two guards that cuffed her hooves together and placed a suppressor over her horn.

Shining Armor coughed into his hoof, frowning slightly and drawing Trixie’s reluctant attention. “Sorry, it doesn’t matter much up here, but if you are going into the Day Court, where you can be seen by the Nobles we will be needing to keep up appearances. Can’t afford to break regulation.”

Trixie looked down, staring at her bound hooves. She experimentally lifted one, listening to the chain rattle as it quickly went taunt, flashing in the light.

A stoic, grey stallion sat on his podium, looking down at the snarling blue mare as she struggled in her bonds, a pair of royal guards struggling to hold her still. “... And how do you plead to your accused crimes against Equestria?”

“Crimes? Crimes!? It’s no crime to put you sniveling morons in your place! You can all burn in Tartarus for what your incompetence has caused! You arrogant piece o--Let go of me! I said let go of Trixie!” The mare struggled, kicking and screaming profanities as she was dragged out of the court. The stallion sighed as he watched, his grimace masked by his hoof as he rubbed his forehead.

Trixie set her hoof back down, her stomach thudding as she felt her old anger begin to rekindle. Her gaze raised to the simple, brown stone halls, decorated only with unlit torches, open cell doors and an old, ragged carpet running their length. Trixie raised a hoof again, this time stepping out of her cell, the first time in eight months.

“I’m glad you decided to go through with this. I hate to see ponies just wasting away, doing nothing,” Shining Armor said as he pulled her cell door shut behind her.

Trixie said nothing in return as she walked down the hall, her chains rattling with each step. Not once did she look back.

A shiny, copper gadget sat in the centre of a wooden table, glinting in the warm candlelight. A moment later, a hoof smashed it into a wall. “Stop wasting my time, Flam! Every damn moment you waste brings us closer to the results of Luna’s damned curse,” Trixie hissed.

Flam gulped, offering Trixie a nervous smile. “Y-Yes, of course! You have been a great, frequent customer and business partner. We wouldn’t dream of betraying that... It’s just that...” He steepled his hooves together, eyes darting to the front door his brother had retreated through just moments ago. “Destroying the night sky... Don’t you think it’s a bit extreme?”

Trixie scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Extreme? Please, you know the results of my attempts at curing it. What is left, exactly?” When Flam shrugged, his mouth opening and closing as he struggled to come up with a response like a gasping fish, Trixie growled and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, pulling him over the table. “Tell me! What. Option. Is. Possibly. Left. For. Me?!” Her eyes bulged in their sockets as she stared down the sweating merchant.

A bead of sweat ran down his cheek as he licked his muzzle. “Well, miss Trixie... as a fellow performer... You and I, we both know the faces of society, how to make them bend to sell a product... But even bent, society is larger than any of us. It just isn’t something one can defeat or dominate. So... I think...” He licked his lips again as Trixie’s expression darkened, her hooves more firmly gripping his collar.

“So... you think... What?! What do you think, Flam? Are you trying to tell me to just roll over and accept it, is that it?!” Trixie snarled and threw Flam back into his chair and turned around, facing away from the welcoming candlelight.

Flam rubbed his temple with one hoof while moving to pour himself another shot of whiskey with the other. He hesitated for a moment, then grabbed and downed half the bottle. His eyes closed for an instant as the fiery liquid burned down his throat. He put the bottle down and leaned forward, his front hooves on his desk. “I know it’s hard for you, Trixie. You’ve been working hard at this for most of your life, but, as you said yourself, it can’t be stopped. So, why don’t you just give up on it. Lead a normal life, you could even join my brother and I in our work if you are interested.”

Trixie tensed as she gritted her teeth, continuing to face away from Flam. “What are you saying, Flam? Are you trying to tell me that, for all of your capability for magic and machine, you can’t make something that can destroy the night sky?” Trixie asked calmly, with only the slightest quiver.

Silence hung in the air for a few moments. “I’m sorry, Trixie, but it’s just not possible. Here.” Flam slid his shot glass across the desk and filled it. “It’ll make you feel better, promise.” Flam smiled at Trixie as she glanced at him over her shoulder.

Trixie turned slowly her expression muffled by the shadows dancing around the flickering candlelight. She took a step forward, then another. However, she did not reach for the glass. Flam’s smile slowly fell off his face. “How can you talk about this so casually, Flam? Do you think I deserve this curse?”

“Wha--No. No! Trixie, you didn’t do anything to deserve it, it’s a tragedy! I just think that... Trixie?” Flam froze in place as he saw any traces of civility slip out of Trixie’s eyes.

Her horn glowed as the desk was flung across the room, violently snapping in half as Trixie tackled Flam onto the ground with a growl. The entire room shook as the two ponies’ bodies impacted with the back wall. The candle fell from its perch and landed beside the tangled duo before being levitated by Trixie, held aloft just an inch away from Flam’s left eye. “It’s so... easy for you isn’t it, Flam?” Trixie hissed, her hooves pressing down on his neck. “Throwing your meaningless sympathy speeches to make you feel better about those ponies you’ve backstabbed in order to turn a profit.” She slowly twirled the candle in the air next to the whiskey that had spilled on his face. “But what if it was you, instead of me, huh? If it was you, I’m sure you wouldn’t have just said to forget it. Said it was impossible. No, you would have done whatever it took to keep yourself alive. But that’s not the case, is it?”

Flam gasped for breath, his hind legs kicking futilely as he tried to pull her hooves from his neck. Trixie simply snarled. “Exactly. You aren’t the cursed one. You weren’t betrayed. You don’t have to go through the fires of Tartarus. But I was. I did, and it seems I still am, and will continue to as long as I place my trust in anypony that isn’t myself.”

Flam merely gurgled in response. Trixie sighed and moved her hooves off his neck.

“If the night sky can’t be destroyed, then there is only one other option, isn’t there Flam? And it isn’t giving up.” Trixie ignored the unicorn as he gasped for air, instead turning around and walking towards the door.

“It’s destroying the idealistic, naive society that would try the same to me,” Trixie mumbled to herself, as she opened the door with her magic. “Goodbye Flam. We won’t be meeting again.”

Trixie trudged along the carpeted halls of Canterlot Castle, her head hanging low. Every step was accompanied by the mocking laughter of her chains as they gleefully rattled at her imprisonment. Trixie scowled. Flam may have been right about the strength of society. But he was wrong about the sky, without the stars and moon...

“It’s just around the corner. Shape up,” Shining called back, throwing a glance over his shoulder.

“Let’s just get this over with so I can get out of here,” Trixie grumbled in annoyance as she slowly lifted her head.

“Ah, welcome back, Shining Armor,” Celestia said, nodding from over her desk.

“Thank you, Princess Celestia,” he replied warmly, taking a deep bow that left his muzzle  almost touching the floor.  “I’ve brought Trixie, as she agreed to your meeting.”

Celestia chuckled as she slid her reading glasses off. “I can see that. Thank you, Captain.”

Shining Armor nodded, then stood upright, oblivious to Celestia’s stare.

“Captain?” Celestia inquired as she vacantly folded her glasses.

Shining Armor blinked, “Yes, Princess Celestia?”

“That will be all. You are dismissed for the evening. I believe Cadence mentioned she had baked a pie for you,” Celestia stated with a smile and slight nod towards the open doors of her bedroom.

Shining Armor frowned, his gaze twitching from Celestia to Luna and her guards, who were patiently sitting in a far corner of the room.

“Trixie’s latest therapist suggested that my sister assist me in managing Trixie’s case. There’s nothing to worry about, Shining Armor,” she added reassuringly.

The guard captain’s muscles tensed, as if preparing to leap into a pit of venomous scorpions. His eyes slowly narrowed as he returned Celestia’s gaze. “That wouldn’t happen to be Doctor Soothing Word, would it?”

Trixie shuffled on the ground, her chains rattling in agitation as she rested her head on her forearms and closed her eyes.

“Perhaps we should direct our attention towards the one that needs it, dear sister,” Luna interjected.

Celestia turned away from her captain and nodded. “Yes, we should.”

The room seemed to freeze for a moment, the only sound coming from Celestia’s eternally crackling fireplace as it performed its duty of cloaking the room in eternal twilight.

Shining Armor inclined his head at Celestia’s silent answer and strutted out of the room, his escort following behind. The doors slid shut after the last guard left. A faint click rang through the room.

Trixie opened an eye at the noise but didn’t bother to rise from her resting position.

“Now then!” Celestia announced, shuffling a stack of papers around her desk with her magic. “As you no doubt remember, you received a joint sentencing, between my sister and myself. As normal, Luna assigned you a period of time to remain in the dungeons based on your actions while I assigned rehabilitation guidelines to shorten that period.”

Trixie gave a dismissive wave of her hoof. “Yes, yes, Trixie is very well acquainted with your terrible legal system. Off the top of my head I can think of three different nations with drastically superior ones, the Griffins being one of them.”

Celestia’s warm smile faltered momentarily with the flickering of the flames, before snapping back into place. She glanced beside her to Luna, who merely nodded to Trixie.

  Celestia sighed, her gaze returning to Trixie. “My sister has suggested that you need neither, however. As such, I have a proposal, if you are interested.” Celestia paused, waiting for a response. The only one she received was Trixie’s vacant one-eyed stare. “In any case, the proposal is simple: you will be relocated to Ponyville where you will do community service and odd jobs to pay for the damage you’ve done to Equestria. You won’t be allowed to leave the area for obvious reasons. You will be given a small sum for living accommodations and your new therapist shall be my personal student: Twilight Sparkle.”

Trixie snorted at that, her eyes rolling as she shifted to a more comfortable position on the carpeted floors.

Celestia continued, ignoring the interruption.“Twilight is learning the magic of Friendship herself, and I think you can benefit from her guidance. While you won’t be doing any of your current programs with us, you will need to mail me weekly letters on what you’ve learned so I can keep up to date on your progress.”

Trixie flicked her gaze to Luna, who was staring intently. Summer Fields stood just behind the Night Princess and nodded in return. Her eyes flicked back to Celestia as images rushed through her mind.

Trixie sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly ahead as Summer Fields stood on her hind legs, leaning against the cell door. The guard captain wore a serious expression as she relayed her message.  “Princess Celestia isn’t to be trusted. You may have issues with Princess Luna, but there's far worse things in this world than death, hat-rack, as I’m sure you are aware.”

Princess Luna’s desires are as follows: when Princess Celestia offers to change your sentence, accept and request that mailing to Princess Luna be part of your rehabilitation. You will give Celestia a proper explanation regarding your origins and family if pressed. However, any information given must be incorrect. Under no circumstances are you to tell her about the journal, your destiny, or your upbringing.”

Trixie shifted, her chains rattling in protest. Celestia fixed her with an expectant stare. Trixie merely scowled at her memories.

Her anger had almost completely dissipated when her mouth stopped halfway through a constellation. Trixie’s eyes widened and her body tensed, as if frozen in time. Even the cold, bitter wind seemed to cease its movement as she stared at a newly formed hole in the sky. Several stars had vanished, leaving inky darkness in their wake.

Trixie’s scowl fell as she closed her eyes. Luna obviously wasn’t the cause. If she was, she would’ve said something... No, but she would know what is...

“Trixie?” Celestia tilted her head, motherly concern lacing itself into her voice.

Trixie slowly rose to her hooves, shaking slightly as her scrawny limbs struggled with the sudden weight.

“Fine.” Trixie shook the tangled mess of her mane out of her eyes as she looked at Celestia. “I’ll accept your proposal on three conditions.” Her gaze hardened as she pointed a hoof at Princess Luna. “First. I see no reason to write to you of all ponies. It’s obvious why she is here: it’s because she actually knows what she’s doing. As such, Trixie will write to her, not you.”

Celestia leaned back in her chair, fixing Trixie with an amused stare.

Trixie simply glared in return.

“And the other two?” Celestia inquired.

As if on queue, Trixie’s stomach rumbled with enough force to cause the fireplace to waver. “Something to eat... and a bath.” She sniffed, lifting her head in a foolish attempt to retain her remaining dignity.

Summer Fields gave a muffled giggle into her hoof as Luna relaxed in her seat. Celestia, for her part, merely smiled. “We accept your conditions, Trixie. You will be sent to Ponyville by train after your dinner.”

As Trixie stared at the ceiling, listening to Celestia’s response, her thoughts were not of food, but a mechanical murmur from Celestia’s night stand.

Tick-Tock.

Tick-Tock.

Tick-Tock.