Thread: MLP: Equestrian Chronicles (Trixie & Calison)

Chapter 1 Princess of the Night It had been quite some time since Trixie had returned to Ponyville and the land surrounding it -- not since her ill-fated magical duel with Twilight Sparkle and the brush with the Alicorn Amulet. That had been months and months ago as she'd taken to the road. Soul-searching, of a sort, after she'd seen what her jealousy had gotten her. It was still there, of course -- that sort of thing didn't just vanish like so much smoke. There was no ill will, though -- no, that sort of thing had gotten her into trouble in the first place. Instead, it had been replaced by a simple goal Learn to be just as good as Twilight Sparkle, on her own merits this time. And during her travels, she had come to realize just how she could do that. The right way. -------- Ms. Lulamoon? asked a high-ranking guard Shining Armor's replacement after he'd moved to the Crystal Empire full time, stepping out of the throne room. Her Majesty will see you now. Trixie swallowed deep, holding her star-spangled hat in her hands, held over her stomach as she looked up at the tall doors that led into Celestia's throne room. They weren't forbidding by design at all, but then they might as well have been the very gates of Tartauros. She was hesitating, after coming so far, to beg Celestia to take her under her wing the same way she'd taken Twilight so many years ago... Ms. Lulamoon? the guard asked, hand on the throne room doors, giving Trixie a look that bordered on the concerned. Ah, right, Trixie said, snapping out of it suddenly. The Grrrreat and Powerful Trixie.... is... ready, she said, giving the doors another brief, worried look as she passed through them after the guard. The walk was long down the great chamber, but there she was -- bright like the sun, Celestia with her iridescent hair and a golden crown atop those pastel locks. A flowing white dress that looked like it was woven of sunlight itself, that beatific smile that she favored all the denizens of Equestria with. It was the sort of look that belonged to a Princess, with wings that spread out like the solar corona. Trixie found herself almost bending a knee by pure instinct. Your Majesty, Trixie said. You're Trixie, yes? My student, Twilight Sparkle, wrote me about you, Celestia said, rising from her throne and walking down the stairs to the floor of the throne room. Trixie could feel her heart sink into her stomach. Doubtless, those had been letters that wouldn't exactly reflect well on her. Er. About those- she started. She said that you have talent, but that you have no idea what to do with it. Constructively, at least, Celestia said, without even the slightest apparent hint of a lie. Trixie stared up at Celestia, agape. Is that not true? Celestia asked, giving the young unicorn a sharp look. Trixie was off-balance, which wasn't uncommon when dealing with the canny Celestia. Er. Is that all she said? More or less. Is there something else? Celestia asked. Trixie became acutely aware of the fact that she was on thin ice, and she could hear it creaking. Wisely, she steered away from the topic. I... ahem, Trixie said, wisely changing tack. I've been doing a lot of soul-searching, and... And? Trixie actually took a knee. It wasn't something she would originally have done, but her times in Ponyville had been... humbling. Found to be a sham, and later ruling over Ponyville with an iron fist under the influence of the Amulet... she looked up to Celestia. Please... I want to learn. Learn how to use magic properly, Trixie said, looking up at Celestia with pleading eyes. ... No. Trixie felt her heart sink down past her stomach and right into the floor below, smashing into rock bottom. Take heart, Trixie -- I don't have the time to take on a student now. But... Celestia looked distant for a moment, before casting her eyes to the observatory where her and her sister surveyed the land. ... I know someone who does. Come with me -- I have someone for you to meet.