Romance and the Fate of Equestria

Chapter Sixty-Three

Twilight and Joe walked up the spiraling roads to the Bazaar's golden castle. Twilight was in her newest formal gown—Rarity had quickly whipped up something new for the six of them—and Joe was in a tuxedo.

"I can't believe we're going to the banquet already," said Twilight. "Who'd have thought that 'hooking up' could make a week fly by so fast?"

"Yeah, you got that right," Joe muttered. "It's all gonna be over way too quickly…"

"Hello, Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight turned in surprise. A familiar face emerged from the shadows, gazing upon Twilight with a haughty, sleepy expression in her lavender eyes.

"Trixie," Twilight exclaimed. "…Huh."

Trixie scowled. "'Huh'?" she repeated. "We finally come face-to-face after more than two years, after you ruined my career and I vowed that you hadn't seen the last of me, and all I get is a 'huh'?"

"You're right, I'm sorry," Twilight said. "It's just… considering how big the Bazaar allegedly is, my friends and I have run into a disproportionate number of familiar faces. It's a bit, um…"

"Bizarre?" Trixie supplied.

"Well, I wasn't gonna be the one to say it," Twilight muttered. "So, uh… what can I do for you, Trixie?"

"If it's not too much to ask," Trixie said, "I'd like to speak to you in private about a matter related to… magical artifacts."

Twilight bit her lip. "I, ah… no offense meant, Trixie, but I don't know if I'm comfortable talking to you in private. Nothing personal, I just… well, you understand."

"You fear I may hold a grudge, or perhaps be vengeful," Trixie said, nodding. "Fair enough, but I assure you, I only wish to speak and ask your advice. Surely you won't turn me down for something as simple as that? You did ruin my reputation. You owe me that much."

"Okay," Twilight said. "Joe, can you wait up for me?"

"Sure," he said nervously. "But, uh, maybe you don't need to talk to her in private. I could offer some input too, I know quite a bit about magical artifacts."

Trixie looked him over and scoffed. "What, you? The donut guy?"

"I graduated from the same magic school that Twilight did," Joe said coldly.

"And yet you grew up to be the donut guy," Trixie sneered.

"MY DONUT MAGIC IS UNPARALLELED!" Joe roared.

"Take it easy, Joe," Twilight said soothingly. "I'll be right back, okay?"

"Okay," Joe grumbled.

"All right, Trixie," Twilight said. "I'm not a fan of you baiting my sort-of-boyfriend like that, but as you said, I do owe you one, so let's talk."

"Thank you," Trixie said.

Trixie and Twilight walked down the street away from the castle side by side. Trixie remained silent and didn't look at Twilight.

"So… how've you been?" Twilight said cautiously.

"I'm well," she replied.

"Stopped referring to yourself in the third person, I see."

"Yes, well, these days I'd prefer that ponies not know who I am."

"Is that right?" Twilight said guiltily. "Well… you look good."

"Thank you," Trixie replied.

Trixie had abandoned her flashy wizardly vestments. She was dressed in shades of tan and brown; a robe of riveted leather and a softer pair of leather pants. On her front hooves she wore sandals with straps that went up to her elbows. Around her head was a braided headband, the front of it threaded around her horn.

Twilight was quiet for a moment, but couldn't deal with the awkward silence. "What have you been doing with yourself?"

"I've taken up adventuring. Recently, I happened to fall in with a very professional group."

"Is that so?" Twilight said with genuine interest.

"Yes, I've actually started to learn some of the things I've always claimed I could do," Trixie said, nodding. "I've built up a combat style. Illusions and complex levitation tricks to misdirect, and you'd be surprised at the utilities fireworks have for thwacking monsters and knocking down pesky dungeon walls."

"Well, congratulations," Twilight said. "That sounds like the perfect application of your talents."

"Thank you," Trixie said glumly. "I thought so too. But… I don't know if my team agrees. I caught them interviewing other unicorns for the expedition. I thought they appreciated my abilities, I thought… that we were friends…"

Twilight winced. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"Well, if they wish to replace me, it's their loss," Trixie sniffed. "You've been to the ruins in the Everfree Forest, haven't you? I'm sure there's nothing salvageable in there."

"No… I doubt that very much," Twilight said.

"I still would've liked to see it," Trixie muttered. "But regardless, my adventures have netted me a few interesting possessions, some of which I have yet to identify. I was wondering if you would take a look at these… ears."

Her horn glowed with her pale pink aura, and from beneath her robe she produced a pair of dark gray, triangular objects.

"Ears?" Twilight repeated, inspecting the objects. They were made of crumbly, flaky stone, and did indeed resemble a pony's ears, though they were considerably larger. Twilight touched one with her hoof and recoiled. "Oh my gosh… Trixie, this is dark magic. Chaotic and cold and… very dangerous stuff."

"Yes, I'm aware," Trixie said. "I've taken the ears to be appraised by two other experts, but I have no way of knowing if they really knew their stuff. You, on the other hoof, I know can give me a comprehensive and educated response. I've been wondering how I might find you, and it just occurred to me that of course you'd be going to Princess Celestia's banquet at the High Merchant's palace. And here you are. Please, will you identify them for me?"

Twilight frowned. "Well, my snap judgment is… what am I saying? I tend not to make snap judgments. Dark magic doesn't have to equate to 'evil'. Very well, I'll take some time to study these artifacts and tell you what I find out."

"Thank you," Trixie said. "I don't expect you to do this for free, of course. I'll pay you a hundred bits."

Twilight's eyes widened. "Well, that's… that's extremely generous, I wouldn't…"

"That's the standard fee for appraising a magical item," Trixie said. "I'm no fool. I'll do this according to procedure."

"I did not know that," Twilight muttered. "You don't have to pay me, Trixie. I owe you one."

"Oh, I only said that to get you alone," Trixie said, amused. "I lost one career, but gained another. You did nothing wrong, and though inadvertently, you have improved my worldview and social life. It's certainly not your fault that my so-called team is abandoning me. I consider us to be on even ground. If you do me a favor, I will compensate you properly."

"Well, thank you," Twilight said. "I will certainly look into this as soon as I get the time."

"My thanks," Trixie said. "Enjoy your banquet."

"You too," Twilight said. "Well, you're not going to a banquet, are you? In case you ever go to a banquet, enjoy it. Enjoy whatever it is you'll be doing while I… am at the banquet." She blushed.

"Thank you," Trixie said dryly.

"I'll just take these," Twilight muttered, lifting the ears with her magic. "Um, this dress doesn't have any pockets… I don't wanna be carrying these around all night."

"Here, take my purse," Trixie said, offering up a small bag that matched her outfit.

"Okay, thanks," Twilight said, beaming. She took the purse and stuck the ears into it before swinging it across her shoulder. "I'll give it back to you when I tell you what I've discovered."

"No need, I have about thirty of those," Trixie said. "You go ahead and keep that one."

"You have thirty purses exactly like this one?" Twilight demanded.

"Sure. An adventuring pony worth her salt must be prepared. I require something to carry all my treasure in, now don't I?"

Twilight smiled. "I hope you're not getting replaced, Trixie. And if you are… a great adventurer like you can find a new team."

"Thank you," Trixie muttered. "Your boyfriend… I apologize for taunting him. I trust that he is a great stallion, worthy of you. I hope you find happiness."

"You too, Trixie. Hang in there. We'll meet up later."