Author's Notes:

Hello! It seems that you desire to read Edge of Reason. This, however, is its old version, with lot of gramatical and spelling mistakes. It remains here due to my sentimentality (as it is the first story of mine, ever). To enjoy this story in HD 1080p, would you kindly follow this link to the revised version. Enjoy!

The Edge of Reason
by Prane

Prologue

There it was – an edge of the Everfree Forest. The entrance to the probably most unsettling place in all of Equestria. Rumor has it, once you crossed the border of the forest, it was very unlikely that you would ever come out. Or, provided you’re very lucky, you will come out… but changed, somehow. While those rumors were usually exaggerated and told by those too afraid to even think about the forest, one thing was sure: it was a dangerous place for everyone, no matter if you were a small parasprite or a colossal hydra.

Or a pony.

Yet on this very edge of the Everfree Forest stood a hooded mare in a long, elegant cape wrapped around her neck with a fancy brooch – one of those things you could get only in Canterlot. She slowly walked into the woods, confidently putting hoof by hoof.

The forest had a certain beauty, the mare had to admit it. Variety of strange, colorful flowers and overgrown plants made the evening atmosphere truly magical. Although it was past sunset, coming here on high noon would not help much, as the density of trees’ crowns successfully prevent most of the sunlight from reaching the ground. Still, anypony venturing into the woods after the sun went down the horizon was either terribly uninformed, very brave or very stupid.

The mare was neither too brave nor too stupid, but definitely not scared by the forest.

She was, after all, member of the Conclave – the elite and covert congregation of unicorns sworn to protect ponies form magic and… magic from ponies, sometimes. It was founded many years ago by Star Swirl the Bearded, after he had prevented a terrible disaster from taking place. Today nopony knew about the exact event, but it must have been something capable of causing irreparable damage to Equestria. Indeed, magic was wild and untamed in its nature. Star Swirl and his fellow unicorn magic users all agreed that any use of magic beyond ordinary bag carrying or helping in ponies’ everyday activities must be watched and controlled. If necessary, the Conclave was on the job to make sure every ordinary day in Equestria stays that way. Initially it was Princess Celestia who oversaw the organization. But shortly after Princess Luna returned from the Moon, she gladly took this duty due to the secretive nature of the group, as she was less into the official affairs than her royal sister.

The mare decided to rest near a stream. It was high time to regain strength and drink some refreshing water. She was on her hooves for a few hours now. She put her bag on a pile of flat rocks nearby, then gazed upon her reflection in the clear water. Yes, her face was showing that she was tired. Obviously she didn’t come her all by herself from Canterlot, no. She took a train, but decided to get off at the station before Ponyville, to avoid crowd and detection. She actually didn’t like this town. She didn’t like it at all. Besides, her cover there was already blown during her last mission. It was…

Suddenly, a noise from behind pulled her out of consideration. Her bag was slightly bigger and it was moving – something must have got inside! She quickly jumped to the pile of rocks, ready to use magic if necessary…

A raccoon emerged from her bag and stood at the top of the rock pile.

‘Shoo!’, the mare tried to chase the furry animal off, waving her hoof.

It didn’t move, but only stared at her.

‘Ignorant creature. Don’t you know in whose presence you are?’

She shook her head to remove the hood.

‘I am the Great and Powerful Trixie!’

Chapter 1

‘I am the Great and Powerful Trixie!’, she said making one of her most spectacular stage poses.

She was the azure unicorn with a long, bluish-grayish mane. An expression on her face was the expression of a proud mare, thinking to be better than anypony else. Her eyes looked as if she was constantly judging everything around and relating to herself. With herself being superior, to be exact.

The raccoon was clearly unimpressed and simply went back to looting the bag.

‘Oh, just what am I doing…’, Trixie frowned. ‘Give me this!’

She pulled her bag angrily and the poor animal had no choice but to capitulate. It ran away into bushes.

‘Where was I…? Ah yes, Ponyville.’, the mare pondered, then took an apple out of her bag and started chewing it.

Trixie didn’t like Ponyville. One visit there was more than enough. What has come to be known as the Ursa Minor incident was actually a covert mission to evaluate magic skills of a particular unicorn, Twilight Sparkle. The Conclave had learned that her power was growing and sent the agent to investigate. She took the cover of a travelling entertainer – which was by the way easy, because of Trixie’s bragging nature and an ego with the size of Canterlot Gardens – and tried to challenge Twilight for a duel on stage.

Unfortunately, it were purple unicorn’s friends who stood up for the challenge and no Twilight’s magic power was observed. If it weren’t for two small colts, Trixie would never had a chance to accomplish her mission. They had drawn the Ursa Minor from its cave and made it rampage through the town. And then it happened. Reluctantly, Trixie had to admit she saw some excellent magic. Twilight Sparkle was indeed very powerful. Although the azure mare was humiliated – from a certain point of view, of course – the mission was completed. Whether or not Twilight’s magic was to be controlled was entirely the Council’s worry now.

That Sparkle! After Trixie had reported about her success, she locket herself in her Canterlot apartment, fighting with the helplessness and blaming herself for being pathetic and weak. She actually couldn’t stand the feeling that there might be another unicorn more powerful than her. Only recently she discovered that she isn’t the worse magic user than Twilight. She is just different. Same power but different style, different abilities.

So much for the past. Trixie had to focus on the present now. She stood up, took her bag and aligned her cape.

The Conclave sent her, the Great and Powerful Trixie to investigate the case of a mysterious fire the middle of the Everfree Forest. Of course, fires were nothing extraordinary. There was a routine for those rare accidents. Call on the Weather Patrol – the pegasi would move heavy clouds and if necessary, jump atop of them to bring the rain. Fire extinguished, problem solved, job well done.

But this was not the ordinary fire.

‘Let’s go over the gathered information.’, Trixie thought to assure nothing was missed.

‘First: size of the phenomenon. Although it had been reported as relatively small, it has capabilities of devastating large areas as if it was at least ten times bigger.’

‘Second: spreading pattern is irregular. Sometimes it stands in one place for a long time, other time it runs a crazy random route.’

‘Third: it is green.’, she ended, giving no further comment about the unusual color.

That was more than enough for anypony, yet the Conclave, to see the magical nature of the fire.

Trixie was wandering through the forest for another hour, carefully studying each ashen field she encountered. She found many incinerated plants and even whole trees burnt to the ground. It was a sad and terrible sight. Good news were that because of the fire, there were hardly any creatures in the area. Probably got scared and ran away. Indeed, Trixie felt much safer knowing she was getting closer to whatever everything else was running away from.

Finally, she found it. Mysterious pillar of green fire, standing on the edge of a ravine, just as it was wondering how to cross the wide waterfall. It was very hot, but Trixie decided to come closer to study it. She chose a branch lying nearby and tossed in into the fire.

Suddenly, the green pillar… jumped?

‘It is not the fire… it’s a creature!’, the azure mare realized.

It was not clearly visible because of smoke and green lashes of fire covering the creature, but Trixie was able to see the shape of it. The beast was tall for at least two hundred hooves, or – like a Manehattan pony would say – about four meters. It had long, strong forearms and giant tusks. Big monkey, perhaps? It was difficult to say. It had also a jeweled collar around its neck.

The beast looked upon Trixie with its burning, orange eyes and raised the arm, gathering flames to target the unicorn.

It was not Trixie’s first combat situation. She regained her focus and immediately raised a magic shield, just in time to block the first few arrows of green fire.

‘Is that the best you got?’, she yelled. ‘Trixie is not impressed!’

She dodged another fiery bolt and attacked. Conjuring three water foxes out of the nearby river, she sent them to distract the beast, then quickly ran to the other side of the monster and hurled bolts of telekinetic energy at her enemy. The beast was hurt, still, it tried to grab the foxes which vaporized in close contact with its hot skin. The enraged monster roared, releasing a large cloud of smoke over the area. Trixie could barely breath and didn’t see anything further than her own hooves. Oddly, the rampaging beast went into silence.

Trixie didn’t like this.

Only months of training and incredible luck saved her from a sudden, powerful green flame cone that came out of nowhere. Trying to counter the blast with her magic, the two powers met in the middle of a scorched field. The azure mare was being pushed towards the edge of the ravine. The green fire was getting closer and closer, and it became hotter. The beast pressed on Trixie one more time and the wave of heat pushed her away from solid ground. She tumbled on a rock shelf, tattering her cape and getting some bruises. The beast roared in triumph, then ran away.

‘Well, that wasn’t so baaaAAAD!’, Trixie screamed as the shelf began to move.

First thing she felt was the gravity pulling her down the ravine.

Then it was pain that came to her head.

Chapter 2

The next thing was someone’s voice.

‘She’s waking up Twilight, come on!’

Then a blurred vision of violet and green.

‘I’m coming Spike, I’m coming…’

Then she saw a purple unicorn and all her memories were back in their places.

‘That Sparkle!’, Trixie shouted, suddenly standing up.

She looked around. It was no longer the Everfree Forest. She was in a place that looked like the inside of a giant tree. Judging by the décor and books lying everywhere – it must be some sort of library or a bookstore. Two pairs of eyes were watching her – one belonged to a small dragon, other to the purple unicorn.

‘Well yes, my name is Twilight Sparkle. It is… unexpected to see you again, Trixie.’

‘Would you mind explaining how did Trixie get here?’

‘Not at all.’, Twilight answered. ‘I was staying up late to watch the sky and make notes about the stars visible at this time of the year, when your little friend came here and made a terrible mess, waking up Spike and alarming me.’

She pointed at the small, gray-black animal sitting behind Trixie on a bookshelf. The raccoon jumped on the bed to try its softness.

‘This furry pest? Trixie thought she made herself clear: I don’t like you!’

The raccoon didn’t care and just dashed under the bed, searching for something worth stealing.

‘So I suggested that Twilight should check it out.’, Spike said.

‘I believe your exact words were: just get this stupid thing out as I want to sleep.’, Twilight supplemented. ‘Anyway, he led me to the Everfree Forest and I brought you here.’

Trixie looked through the window. It was around midday, she must have been unconscious for at least few hours.

‘Please, eat.’, Twilight said, giving Trixie a plate with deliciously looking crispy hay sandwich. ‘Spike had recently been doing well with cooking. I also fixed your cape. I don’t have skills like Rarity, but it should do for now.’

As this situation of unexpected kindness was getting too awkward for Trixie to say anything, she just started eating the sandwich. Indeed, that was a decent meal. After she finished, she grabbed her cape and walked down the stairs.

‘Well thank you, for those unnecessary acts of enormous generosity of yours, but it is time for Trixie to leave. Goodbye.’

Twilight jumped in front of her.

‘Are you going back into the forest?’, she asked.

‘Excuse me, but this is my concern.’, Trixie replied and went out of the house.

‘Wait!’, Twilight said, following her. ‘While you were asleep I’ve received a letter from Princess Celestia, informing that something bad is happening in the Everfree Forest. She asked me to investigate and since you were there, I thought you might know something… about the fire.’

Celestia sent her a letter? Ah yes, they were close friends since Twilight enrolled to Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. The Princess should have known that the Conclave was on the job. Maybe Princess Luna didn’t tell her… no, impossible.

This was tough. Although Trixie wanted to do this on her own, she knew that Celestia’s favored student will stay loyal to her mentor’s wish and there was not a chance of her staying.

‘All right, if there is no other way…’, Trixie moaned.

Twilight seemed content.

‘Spike, Trixie and I are going to the Everfree Forest. Should we not come back within two hours, please inform my friends.’

‘Come on, we don’t have all day!’, Trixie said. She was already delayed. Every second could mean another acre of the forest burnt to ashes, not to mention the risk of the monster running wild into a populated area.

The two unicorns left the Ponyville library and headed towards the Everfree Forest.

It was a second time over the last twenty-four hours for Trixie to enter the woods. More than most ponies did during their lifetime.

‘This time I will do it right.’, she thought. ‘Just keep out of my way, Sparkle.’

The purple unicorn looked focused and determined. Just as Trixie on her missions.

‘What are we dealing with?’, Twilight asked.

‘It is difficult to say. At first we thought it was just a fire…’

Trixie halted. She just referred to the Conclave by saying ‘we’. Twilight was not stupid enough to miss it… quickly, explanation is needed!

‘You know, Trixie, I think you should try using ‘I’ instead of ‘Trixie’ or ‘we’, while reffering to yourself.’

That was close. Saved by her own ego, unbelievable.

‘You’re right. I thought it was just a fire, but it turned out it is a creature of some kind.’

‘A creature? How did it look like?’

As they were wandering through the forest, searching for ashen fields, Trixie described the beast to Twilight. She decided not to mention her not so amazing fight, but told everything about the monster’s constitution and form.

A few moments later, the two mares entered the incinerated field. It was still warm and there were fires around, which meant the beast couldn’t be much further.

‘No book I read mentioned anything capable of doing that kind of damage. Besides dragons. Yet you described something that isn’t a dragon, which might mean…’

Trixie wasn’t listening. She was wondering about Celestia’s letter. Did the Conclave think Trixie is not capable of performing the task on her own? Then why bother sending her in the first place? Some kind of punishment? It just didn’t make sense.

‘Trixie, look!’, Twilight said. ‘I think I got something!’

She pointed her hoof at the entrance to a large cave. The bushed around were still burning, so the beast must have been here.

‘It must be in the cave. Shall we?’, Twilight asked politely.

‘Well, I thought it was obvious.’, Trixie replied.

As the unicorns went inside, they were able to hear roaring from the cave tunnels. The stomping was becoming louder and louder. The beast was getting closer…

‘Let’s do this together.’, Twilight proposed.

‘Well thank you, but I rather do this on my own.’, Trixie rejected.

Suddenly, the darkness of the cave was illuminated by a glowing green light. It also became hotter and the mares began to sweat.

The beast jumped out of the tunnel and immediately tossed a ball of emerald fire at the ponies. They jumped away and ended on the different sides of the cave, with Trixie being closer to the exit. Twilight tried her best to shield herself and toss nearby rocks at the monster, but she couldn’t perform both tasks at the same time. The beast quickly seized her in a fire ring, locking her down and preventing escape. It turned around and renewed the attack at a new target.

Trixie slashed the beast with a vacuum arch she conjured. It hit hard, but unfortunately this complex attack left her vulnerable for the monster’s flame arrows which zapped her and made her hide behind the rocks.

The beast his the cave’s walls with its powerful fists, resulting in the ceiling’s collapse. Then it jumped outside. Trixie was just about to stop it with a spell when…

‘Trixie! Help! I… can’t hold on much… longer!’

Although she escaped the beast’s fire trap, an avalanche of rocks would have entombed Twilight if it weren’t for her magic. She was now struggling to hold them, but could hardly move.

Trixie had less than a blink of an eye to decide. If she starts running now, she might catch up with the beast. It was what she knew was right. But it was not what she felt was right. She turned away and transfigured the rocks into sand, giving Twilight chance to escape.

‘Th- thank you. You saved my life.’

It was a new feeling for Trixie. Feeling that she made something good for somebody. Most of her live she only did what was best for her. It was nice to finally…

‘Oh come on, just get moving or we’re going to lose it!’, she shaken off this new experience.

‘It’s coming towards Ponyville!’, Twilight shouted as she realized why the beast chose linear path after escaping the cave.

‘We need to hurry!’

Chapter 3

They were galloping as fast as they could, but even at their fastest pace might not be enough to make it on time. Luckily, all they need to do was to follow the burnt trail. Trixie noted to herself, that the beast, now enraged, was setting the fire with much more efficiency than before. It was making a scar on the beauty of the Everfree Forest.

‘Where did it go?’, Trixie asked as they entered the devastated meadow. They slowly walked forward, carefully looking around.

‘We lost it! Again!’

‘I… wouldn’t be so sure on this one…’, Trixie pointed behind Twilight’s back.

The mares turned around. The beast was there, spreading its arms. Walls of green fire instantly formed a blazing circle in the area.

‘We’re trapped!’

The beast was getting closer.

‘Uhm… together, right?’, Trixie asked.

‘Let’s do this!’, Twilight replied.

The fight continued. Trixie desperately searched for something to confront the monster. Sadly, there was no water source nearby and using those rare remaining plants against the pure fire was not a good idea. At the same time Twilight was firing spears of light at the beast. Huge fist hit the ground and both mares were knocked away. It could have been the reappear of what happened in the cave, but this time they were fighting like a team. When Trixie was in danger it was Twilight who shielded her, and while Twilight was pinned down it was Trixie who gave her the chance to move away.

However, the beast was not easy adversary. It was using its full arsenal this time and it was extra difficult to dodge its attacks. If the fight doesn’t end soon, the mares will run out of tricks and surely loose…

‘The collar! Look at the collar!’, Twilight shouted.

Most of the jewels in the beast’s collar were colorless diamonds, but one was a green emerald, glowing stronger each time the beast attacked.

‘Sparkle! I will keep him distracted, you destroy that gem!’, Trixie shouted.

She aligned her cape once more and the spirit of the stage got into her.

‘Hey, you big ugly monster! Yes, it is the Great and Powerful Trixie who is addressing you! You’d better remember that name as it will be the last thing for you!’

The distraction worked. The beast left Twilight alone and furiously attacked Trixie with green waves of fire. She saw Twilight focusing the energy in her horn, waiting to release it as she might got a clear shot.

The beast straightened up to unleash its final assault on Trixie. Her shields might not be enough to withhold it.

‘Now, Sparkle! Now is our chance!’

Trixie was not sure if it was real or just the hot air blurred her sight. She’d sworn she saw Twilight hovering over the ground, with her eyes filled with white energy. Then she released a powerful beam from her horn, hitting right on time to save Trixie from the beast’s devastating attack. It roared with pain as the green emerald exploded in a blinding flash of light, leaving its splinters around the area.

The green fire was gone and so was the beast. When the cloud of smoke settled down, Twilight saw something in the place where the beast stood.

It was a dog-like creature with long, strong forearms and flat head, wearing a grey vest.

‘Hey, I know you! You’re… one of the Diamond Dogs!’

He slowly regained consciousness and looked around.

‘Where… what… ah! Purple pony saved us again!’, he exclaimed cheerfully.

‘Again? You know him?’, Trixie asked.

‘Purple pony saved us from awful noises coming from white pony’s mouth… I mean, lady Rarity’s mouth.’, the Diamond Dog said with a strange accent.

‘Can you tell us what happened?’, Twilight inquired.

‘We were digging for gems. We found shiny gem. Glowing. Green. Liked it very much, so I put it on my collar!’

‘What happened next?’

‘Not sure, not sure. Gem whispered things! Make me feel angry, make me want smash things!’

‘Aren’t Diamond Dogs underground species? Shouldn’t you stay in its cave?’

‘Gem, shiny gem told me to go out! Told me to destroy trees, trees weak!’

‘Talking gem… I don’t get it.’, Twilight said.

‘Of course!’, Trixie reacted. ‘The gem must have been magical. Cursed, probably. The power inside it manifested as the giant, armor-like field around the dog’

Clearly the Diamond Dog couldn’t understand a word of Trixie’s theory, but Twilight agreed. They all looked around. Scorched earth, burned bushes, trees set on fire, ashen flowers… It was truly the scar on the face of the Everfree Forest. It made Trixie… sad, as she always enjoyed experiencing the nature full of life.

‘Can I go?’, the Diamond Dog asked.

‘Wait! Most of the forest will take care of itself, but you might help.’, Trixie said.

‘I think I know what you mean, Trixie. Diamond Dog: you must repay for your deeds. Plant some seeds around, dig watering canals, extinguish fires…’, Twilight added.

‘Me? Planting flowers?’

‘Yes. Do you want me to send Rarity to help you?’

Twilight didn’t even finished her question when the dog started waving his paws.

‘No please no! I rather do this on my own!’, he screamed and ran away.

‘Mission accomplished.’, Trixie murmured.

Epilogue

The two mares left what was once a beautiful meadow and soon they crossed the edge of the Everfree Forest. The coolness of the afternoon breeze was a great feeling after the constant heat. They were both looking at Ponyville, knowing that the town was unaware of the danger. They were both too tired to talk, so they just strolled forward, glad that their adventure was finally over.

At the crossroads, near a bridge leading to Ponyville they were about to separate. Twilight was going back into the town, Trixie wanted to go around it. Just as she was about to leave, she realized there was one thing she was unsure of.

‘There was never any letter, was it?’, Trixie asked.

‘There wasn’t.’, Twilight confirmed.

‘So why all this effort of helping me as if Princess Celestia ordered you?’

‘If I had only offered my help, you’d surely refuse it. It was the only way to experience those amazing events.’

‘You mean, fighting the monster. ’

‘No. Getting to know you better.’

Now that was unexpected.

‘I just want you to know that I really enjoyed your companionship.’

Not waiting for a response, Twilight walked through the bridge and headed home. Trixie could probably turned away and depart without a word, but something pushed her not to.

‘Hey, Sparkle!’, Trixie shouted. ‘I also enjoyed… erm… working with you!’

Twilight looked back and just smiled.

‘Oh, great,’, the azure mare thought. ‘When I was doing nice with the words, now she’s smiling.’

Then she walked away towards the train station.

Few minutes later, Trixie couldn’t shaken off the impression that something was not right, as if something was watching her. She slowed down, turned around and stood in amazement.

‘You again!?’, Trixie yelled as she saw the raccoon following her.

She rolled her eyes. Stubborn pet was clearly not letting her go alone.

‘Oh, jump on!’, the azure mare smiled and let the raccoon sit on her back.

And both Trixie and the cunning pet began their journey back to Canterlot to report of another successfully completed assignment.

But even with all her amazing power, the Great and Powerful Trixie didn’t know two things. She didn’t realize that she made her first step into the world of friendship. She was also unaware that the small part of the cursed emerald somehow landed inside her bag.

And was waiting…