When Fine told me who had his attention these past few weeks, I waited for a punchline. Trixie, the hope of Equestria? Then I heard what happened at the Gates of Tartarus two weeks ago. Trixie – my Trixie – in a duel with Twilight Sparkle. I wish I could have seen it, just to have the proof before my eyes.

She’s here, back in Hoofington. Trixie’s hurting and lost. It’s the same cycle all over again; big plan, live high for a while, crash. Every time she reaches for something, it distracts her just long enough to keep her from seeing the cliff she’s about to step over.

I want to go to her. I want to hug her and tell her that I’m proud of what she’s managed these last few weeks. She’s been working so hard, harder than I ever knew she could, and she lost so much. But no, Fine wants Fleur to be the one that contacts Trixie. The bucker. Doesn’t he know that nopony can connect with that foal like I can? I’m tempted to go anyway. Amethyst has been crying half the day, and I can’t blame her. Kinda feel like crying myself.

I’m proud of my Little Sparkler. She did what she had to, and I know that both she and Trix will be better for it in the long run. At least, I hope so. I just wish it didn’t hurt so much. I wish my little sister didn’t have to be the one to crush Trixie like that. I wish Trixie didn’t have to shoulder this burden. They were supposed to be happy, and instead…

I shouldn’t be writing this. Not now, not with Amethyst staying the night.

Fine, you’re playing with my family. You better be right, or so help me I will go through with the threats I made when we first met. This story better have a bucking happy ending.

—unsigned, presumed Vinyl Scratch, Book of Shadows XLVIII

May 21, C.Y. 1007

Vinyl lay on her back in the grass under a tree, her head bobbing as music streamed into her head via a pair of old headphones. The music was her own, something new she’d come up with just before the start of her vacation. It still needed work, being only a rough draft, and her mind swam with alternatives. Even on break, she couldn’t stop herself from thinking about the music.

At least until something decided to tug on her ear. Vinyl reached up to feel a muzzle and smirked. She pulled her headphones so they rested on her neck and tilted her head to find Amethyst looking down at her. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Amethyst grinned. “Being an annoying little sister?”

“Well done.” Raising to a sitting position, Vinyl stretched and yawned. “I’m starting to think I got up too early. Maybe I’ll take a nap when we get back.”

“Only if I get to wake you by bouncing on the bed.”

Vinyl shot her a peering frown. “Don’t get too into the act, birthday girl.”

Amethyst giggled and batted her eyes innocently. “Okay.” She pulled on Vinyl’s hoof. “Come on, there’s a magician.”

“A magician?” Vinyl rolled her eyes, but stood up anyway. “Amethyst, Hoofington is a unicorn town. Everypony’s a magician here.”

“This one’s different,” the filly insisted. The lack of amusement in her tone caught Vinyl’s attention.

Amethyst led her down the hill towards a gazebo near the park center. A small crowd had gathered, but Vinyl noted that more ponies were going than were staying. One couple walked past them with a sobbing toddler on the stallion’s back. Vinyl’s ears perked as she picked up some of the mare’s words.

“—nerve of her, picking up our foal without permission! What if Jade had been hurt? Why, I…”

Vinyl’s ears folded back as the conversation faded by distance. When she glanced at Amethyst, the foal didn’t appear excited or particularly eager. Instead her face was set in a firm frown, as if she were prepared to do something difficult. Vinyl couldn’t help but wonder what her little sister really intended to do.

They pushed through the thinning crowd, past ponies departing from the scene. Vinyl noted a rope hanging high in the air by a small splash of magenta magic. The rope was taut and shook slightly as a breathless voice filled the air. “See what… I can do? See the… amazing…”

As Vinyl and Amethyst reached the forefront, the aura dissipated with a little pop and the rope crumbled. They got to watch as a blue filly, apparently in the process of climbing the rope, fell to the floor of the gazebo with a shout. Vinyl winced at the sight of the pony laying there with her hind hooves dangling just above her face. The crowd dispersed on a round of laughter, leaving her alone to pick herself up from the floor. Tears were in her eyes as she righted her light blue ponytail and rubbed the back of her head.

Now Vinyl knew why Amethyst had been so interested. The ‘magician’ could be no more than eleven or twelve. Her mane was a mess even with the ponytail. Dirt blotted her coat and her thin frame exposed her ribs. Vinyl glanced around, but there were no grownups remaining.

“Stupid magic!” The filly kicked at the rope. When it failed to do anything but flop a bit, she turned and instead kicked the small to-go cup at her side, sending it flying out into the grass. With nothing left to kick, she flopped onto her belly and glared at nothing in particular.

Amethyst glanced up at Vinyl, then approached the filly. “Hello.”

With a yelp, the little pony hopped to her hooves and rubbed her eyes before turning to Amethyst. She spoke hurriedly and took on a broad smile. “H-hello! Are you here to watch me do tricks? Well, prepare to be amazed!” She closed her eyes and started to concentrate, but Amethyst reached up and tapped her horn. The filly blinked and shook her head. “Hey, don’t do that! I need to focus.”

“What’s your name?”

The filly blinked at Amethyst, then giggled anxiously. “Oh, I’m Trixie. Now—”

“Hey Trixie, I’m Amethyst.” Amethyst gave a warm smile and offered her hoof.

Trixie paused, mouth open mid-word. She slowly accepted the younger foal’s hoof bump. “Um… h-hello.”

“Are you by yourself?”

Vinyl facehoofed.

“What? I…” Trixie backed away, her head low and ears folded back. “I just… I mean… I b-better go.” She turned away.

“Are you hungry?”

Trixie paused and glanced back. There was a look in her eyes that put Vinyl on edge, a look that spoke of fear and hesitant hope in one trembling package. When she didn’t say anything, Amethyst gave Vinyl an intent expression.

Vinyl couldn’t resist a smile, at last understanding her sister’s intentions. Pride swelling within her, she turned to Trixie. “We were going to go get breakfast. You can join us if you like.”

“Really?” Trixie bit her lip, one leg raised in preparation for flight. “I… Are you sure?”

“Come on.” Vinyl waved invitingly. “There’s a great place down the street.”

“Yeah, let’s go.” Amethyst tugged gently on Trixie’s hoof. “Today’s my birthday, so Vinyl’s treating me to pancakes! You can have some too.”

“Your birthday? I…” Trixie turned to them, but her posture was low and her eyes darted about. “I don’t know.”

Vinyl grinned and rubbed Amethyst’s mane. “C’mon, it’s on me. You wouldn’t say no to a filly on her birthday, would ya? She’s inviting you, after all.” On cue, Amethyst sat and looked up at Trixie with what Vinyl suspected was her best pout.

Trixie cringed at her expression. “Well, I suppose I could. It’s just breakfast, right?”

“Yep. Let’s go, I’m hungry! And Vinyl. Nice to meet ya, Trix.” Vinyl motioned Trixie to follow as she set off.

Trixie held back, but then her thin stomach gave a grumble so loud the ponies back at the orphanage might have heard it. Shoulders sagging, Trixie nodded. “Hold on.” She turned and cantered off the gazebo to retrieve the cup she’d kicked away, carrying it back to them in her mouth. At their questioning looks she set the cup down and, with eyes low, said, “I need something to hold tips.”

Vinyl’s eyebrows rose and she took the cup in her magic. A glance inside showed no bits. With a smile, she tossed the cup into a nearby trash can. “We’ll get you something better, okay?”

Trixie’s plate didn’t have a crumb on it. Pancakes, oat sausage and eggs had been devoured without mercy or hesitation, and with the main course dealt with she had proceeded to lick the plate clean. Her orange juice fared little better, two glasses of the stuff having already been gulped down. Vinyl and Amethyst weren’t even halfway finished with their meals.

Now Trixie sat with her eyes half-closed and a soft, contented smile. She hummed and let out a belch. “That was great.”

“No kidding.” Vinyl took another bite of oatmeal. “So where are you from, Trixie?”

“Hmm?” Trixie rested her chin on the table with a sigh. “Don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” Amethyst, syrup coated on her chin and cheeks, cocked her head. “Don’t you have a hometown?” She grimaced as Vinyl wiped her face clean.

“Nope.” Sleepiness laced Trixie’s tone. “Maybe Trottingham? I remember Trottingham.”

“Uh-huh.” Vinyl cringed on the inside, but kept her smile. “That’s not too far away. What brings you to Hoofington?”

A shrug was her only response.

“Do you know where you’re going next?”

Another shrug. Vinyl shared a distressed look with Amethyst. They stared at one another for a second before nodding in unison.

Amethyst turned to Trixie. “You could stay with us.”

Trixie’s ears perked and her eyes flitted open. She sat up and shook her head as if to clear it. “What was that?”

“Come stay with us.” Amethyst grinned and nodded enthusiastically. “There’s plenty of room, and you won’t be hungry anymore.”

Trixie’s jaw dropped, but only for a second. She shook her head vigorously. “No.”

Vinyl shared a frown with Amethyst, then turned it on their guest. “What do you mean, ‘No?’ ”

“I mean no!” Trixie crossed her hooves and raised her muzzle high. “I need to travel, see the sights, get some fans! I’m not gonna stay in any one location.”

Amethyst fidgeted, her ears flat against her skull. “But you were so unhappy.”

“I’m happy!” Trixie banged her hoof on the table, which earned her a few glares from the neighboring diners. “I’m plenty happy.”

“You were starving and broke,” Vinyl said, her tone lecturing.

“B-but still happy!” Trixie shrank under their gazes. “I should probably go. Thanks for the meal.”

“Please don’t go!” Amethyst hopped to her hooves. “I wanted to be friends. You won’t be hungry anymore. I don’t want you to be hungry.”

“I…” Trixie, half off her cushion, looked at the exit with an uncertain gaze. Vinyl tensed at the sight of a filly so eager to escape the offer of shelter. At the same time, Trixie’s gaze wasn’t that of hope or a desire to escape. No, she looked upon that door as if it led to things best left alone.

Vinyl knew who Trixie was. She’d seen her fair share of foals with that look on their face, the look of pain remembered and hope lost. She wondered what Trixie had witnessed, or perhaps been put through. What must it be like, to want and fear shelter at the same time?

“Trixie?” Vinyl leaned back to give her as much space as possible. “How old are you?”

“What?” Trixie turned back to her, anxiety lost in her confusion. “I’m thirteen. Why?”

“And I’m seven as of today!” Amethyst puffed out her chest with a grin. “Miss Dry Eyes promised me a cake tonight.”

“For once, wouldn’t you like to have a warm bed?” Vinyl offered a soft smile. “Hot meals regularly, friendship, devoted fans?”

At the last suggestion, Trixie’s eyes lit up, but it didn’t last long. She huffed and jerked her face away. “What would you know about having fans?”

“Well, I did just get back from a national tour.”

“A tour?” Ears shooting up, Trixie leaned over the table to get a closer look at Vinyl. “What kind of tour?”

Vinyl opened her mouth to respond, but a bouncing Amethyst beat her to it. “Oh, Vinyl’s a big time music pony now! She went aaall over Equestria playing for ponies and did real good. She even bought a house!”

“Really?” Trixie’s eyes went back to the blushing Vinyl, who nodded. “Wow. I… want a house.” She grinned and rubbed her hooves together. “Yeah, a big house. No, a castle! I want a castle that’ll make Celestia’s castle tremble, because it will know the glory that is the Almighty, Indomitable, Beautiful, Powerful and Magnificent Trixie!”

Vinyl couldn’t help laughing. “That’s a pretty big title, Trix.”

“Uh, yeah.” Amethyst cocked her head. “Maybe it should be shorter!”

Wincing, Trixie’s smile turned sheepish. “Y-yeah, I’m working on that.” She waved her hooves high in the air. “Back on topic! If you’re a famous pony… c-could you teach me how to be famous?”

Vinyl’s smile faded. “What, like a musician?”

“No, in general.” Trixie’s eyes lit up, and this time the brightness didn’t fade. She stared at something distant, a light smile on her lips. “I want ponies to know my name. I want to be great and powerful, a pony who is loved by thousands, no, millions. Even without a cutie mark, I know that’s where my destiny lies.”

“Right.” Vinyl fought to keep her skepticism to a minimum. “I dunno if that’s something that can be taught. Besides, that was my first tour. I dunno that I’m all that ‘big time’ yet.”

“But you have fans, right?” Trixie leaned forward with an expectant air. “Ponies pay to come and see you, right?”

“W-well, yes…”

“Good enough for me!” Trixie sat back and nodded as if she’d made a decision. “I’m sticking by you. Even if you can’t teach me, maybe I can learn by watching.”

Vinyl wanted to object to this idea, but a glance at Amethyst’s joyful face sealed her lips. She set her eyes on the present goal, which was getting this silly filly off the streets. “I suppose I can let you hang around us. If you’re cool enough. But I may want you to do some things for me in return.”

“I’ll do it!” Trixie puffed out her chest and leveled a determined look at Vinyl. “The Almighty, Indomitable… You’re right, I do need to shorten that. Well, you know, I can do it. Just name it!”

“We’ll get to that part later.” Vinyl grinned and winked at Amethyst, who gave another hop. “For now, let’s just enjoy Amethyst’s birthday.”

“Yeah!” Amethyst gave a few more bounces. “We made a new friend!”

“Friend? I don’t know about…” Trixie’s words died when Vinyl shot her a frown. “Umm, that is… sure. I guess we can be friends.”

Amethyst giggled and dove into the remains of her pancakes. Vinyl just smirked.

“W-what is this place?”

Vinyl paused at the office door, looking back to see Trixie trembling in the middle of the room. Her eyes were set on the posters of happy families. The moment she saw Trixie’s eyes, Vinyl knew what was coming. Licking her lips, she used her magic as subtly as she could to hold the door closed.

Amethyst sat beside Trixie and gave her a questioning look. “It’s an orphanage. Why?”

A gasp burst from Trixie and she promptly backpedaled into the door. “No! You didn’t say you lived in one of those!”

Her hoof raised in a calming manner, Vinyl took a step closer to her. “Calm down, Trixie. It’s going to be okay.”

“Is not!” Trixie turned to the door, but it wouldn’t budge. She twisted the handle and jerked on it over and over again. “I don’t wanna be here!”

Amethyst hurried to Trixie’s side and tried to wrap a leg around her shoulder. “It’s okay! Trixie, what’s wrong?”

“Everything!” She knocked Amethyst away with a snarl and fought with the door by hoof and by horn. “Open up! Lemme out!”

“Calm down.” Vinyl had little difficulty keeping the door closed despite the filly’s efforts. “Trixie, it’s going to be alright.”

“You’re lying!” Trixie turned to glare at Vinyl, horn shining and lips pulled back. “This is a setup and I’m not falling for it! I won’t go back to living in one of these places!”

“Trixie, please!” Amethyst hugged Trixie’s neck tightly. “This place isn’t bad, I promise.”

“You just haven’t seen it yet.” Trixie pushed her away and backed against the door once more, eyes still locked with Vinyl’s. “You can’t make me stay!”

The office door opened and Dry Eyes’ voice filled the room. “What in Celestia’s name is going on here?”

“Hey, Dry Eyes.” Vinyl shot her a concerned frown. “We, uh, brought something back with us.”

“Keep away from me, you… you…” Trixie’s eyes darted about the room before going back to Dry Eyes. “You whatever you are! I don’t want any part of it, you hear me?”

“I see.” Dry Eyes adjusted her glasses with a frown. “Well, Vinyl, this is another fine mess you’ve gotten me into." She turned her attention to Trixie. "What’s your name?”

“I’m not telling you!” Trixie’s horn sparked. “Let me go!”

“Her name’s Trixie,” Amethyst said, not noticing the elder filly’s glare. “We met her in the park.”

Vinyl felt her stomach churning. She took a tentative step forward, flinching as Trixie’s harsh glare turned her way. “Trixie, I know what you’re thinking. I get it, I really do. I’ve been in enough orphanages and bad homes to recognize the signs.”

“You’re lying,” Trixie hissed. “You’re in on it, whatever ‘it’ is. You just want me to submit to whatever… stuff is happening here.”

Amethyst turned to Trixie, her face marred by confusion and worry. “D-did something bad happen to you, Trixie?”

“No.” Trixie’s gaze shifted between Vinyl and Dry Eyes. “But I saw enough.”

Vinyl hesitated, then turned her attention to the headmaster. Dry Eyes noted her worried expression and nodded before stepping forward.

“Keep back!” Tiny sparks flashed from Trixie’s horn.

Dry Eyes cocked her head at the display. When she finally spoke, her tone was consoling. “You never went to school, did you?”

Trixie’s eyes widened. “Sh-shut up! I’m the Magnificent Trixie. You have no idea how powerful I am!”

“Spell your name.”

“I… It’s…” Trixie’s magic dimmed a touch, her tiny pupils darting about the room. “Th-that’s such a stupid suggestion, I’m not going to bother responding!”

Amethyst gasped. “You can’t read?”

“Of course I can!” The pitch in her tone betrayed Trixie, and her cheeks were burning. “And I’m really strong and can blast this entire orphanage away with one spell, s-so you better let me go now!”

“So do it.”

Trixie went rigid, her eyes set upon the headmaster. “What?”

Dry Eyes waved invitingly. “Go ahead. Smite us. Bring the house down.”

Trixie’s mouth opened and closed a few times, and Vinyl could almost see the gears turning in the pony’s head. After some time the filly sat, crossing one leg before the other in a sheepish display. “I… don’t want to hurt the, uh, foals.” Her aggression kicked up, but just a little. “I’m sure you do plenty of that already.”

Dry Eyes was unphased by the accusation, her tone even and her expression neutral. “You have two options, Trixie. As a responsible pony who has made the welfare of foals her life’s work, I cannot in good conscience permit you to go back to living on the streets. The first option is for me to call the authorities to have you restrained, at which point the state will determine what happens to you.”

A faint whimper escaped Trixie, who tucked her tail between her legs and began magically tugging on the door again. Her wide-eyed gaze didn’t leave Dry Eyes, though.

The headmaster’s tone grew gentle, accompanying a small smile. “Your other option is to give us a chance. Stay the night and see if it’s really so bad.”

“N-no.” Trixie shook her head, but her voice was weak. She tried tugging on the door handle with a lone hoof. “One night’s too much. Y-you’re going to do something to me.”

Dry Eyes’ smile didn’t fade. “Come now, Trixie, we can’t watch you all the time. You could always run away in the middle of the night. A pony of your ability surely won’t have a problem with a few locked doors and windows.”

The filly paused. She gazed at Dry Eyes, then glanced up at the door. Vinyl leaned forward, taking in the sight of a filly in serious contemplation. She couldn’t help wondering if, had things been just a little different, she might have been like Trixie. So much fear...

Vinyl was suddenly very appreciative of having Dry Eyes around for a third of her life.

“Trixie?” Amethyst walked up to the older filly, eyes full of worry. “Will you stay? Please?”

Trixie looked to her and let out a small gasp. She released the door and stepped beside Amethyst, casting her glare towards Vinyl and Dry Eyes. “Fine, but I’m staying with Amethyst. The instant I find out what you’re doing to her, I’m gone and taking her with me.”

“Doing to me?” Amethyst’s brow furrowed. “Nopony’s doing anything to me.”

“We’ll see.” Trixie’s ominous gaze didn’t budge.

Vinyl was tempted to argue the point about Amethyst, but fought down the desire. Amethyst wouldn’t want to be taken away, so the threat did seem minimal. By now Vinyl was reasonably sure she could stop Trixie if need be… though she would be sure to magically seal their bedroom windows tonight. Good thing Dry Eyes taught her that little spell.

Dry Eyes nodded to Trixie, her smile warm. “Thank you, Trixie. You won’t regret this decision, I promise.”

“I already do.” Trixie wrapped a leg around Amethyst protectively. Her eyes went to Vinyl. “Don’t even think about trying to stop me.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Vinyl forced a smile and gestured to the door leading into the orphanage. “Come on, we’ll show you around.”

When Trixie didn’t move, Amethyst stepped out from under her and tugged on her hoof. “Come on, it’s okay.”

Trixie hesitated. “I’m staying with her tonight, got it?”

“That’s fine,” Dry Eyes said.

Vinyl smirked. “You realize that makes us roommates, right?”

“Oh.” Trixie grimaced, but let Amethyst pull her along. “Fine, but I’m watching you.”

Getting her into the orphanage proper took a lot of goading from Amethyst. Trixie lingered at the open door for nearly ten minutes, but at last she disappeared within. As soon as the two had gone, Dry Eyes turned to Vinyl.

“Be proud. You did a good thing today.”

“I am proud,” Vinyl replied, permitting herself a smile. “Amethyst’s the one who made it happen.”

“She’s a good filly. You two work well together.” Dry Eyes’ smile faded. “But you’ve essentially taken responsibility of Trixie while you’re here. You know that, right?”

Vinyl nodded, her smile not fading in the slightest. “Amethyst is my responsibility, and she won’t leave Amethyst, so I’m saddled with both of them. I’ve got two weeks to help her get used to this place.”

“If she’s not comfortable by the time you leave, she’ll probably disappear shortly after.” Dry Eyes sighed and shook her head. “Are you up to it?”

With hesitancy, Vinyl nodded. “It looks like she’s spent nearly all her life homeless. She’ll be difficult, but… I think we can handle it. Together.”

“Good.” Dry Eyes turned for the office. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, you’ve just given me some fresh paperwork for the evening. Thanks for that, Vanilla.”

“You’re welcome.” Vinyl stuck her tongue out and Dry Eyes responded in kind. The two chuckled and the headmaster left to begin what Vinyl imagined was some tedious work.

Vinyl stood over the bed now being shared by Amethyst and Trixie. “Already asleep, eh?”

Amethyst lay on her back, one leg wrapped around the shoulder of the larger Trixie. The older filly clung to her as if not even sleep could make her relax. Amethyst blinked wearily and looked up at Vinyl. “Mm-hmm. She was real tired.”

“I don’t doubt it, she’s had a big day.” Vinyl watched as Amethyst snuggled against her new friend. Her chest felt like she’d swallowed something warm and pleasant, and she reached out to pet Amethyst’s mane. “I’m really proud of you, Little Sparkler. You know that, right?”

The filly gave her a quizzical look. “You are?”

“I am.” Vinyl knelt down so she could nuzzle her cheek. “You saw a pony in need and didn’t hesitate to help her. You did a very, very good thing today. That makes me proud to have you as a little sister.”

Amethyst returned the motion, then let out a long yawn. “I hope we can be good friends,” she whispered as her eyelids drooped once more.

“I’m sure you will.” Vinyl patted her head and stepped back. “Goodnight, kiddo.”

“Goodnight.” Amethyst turned and snuggled a little closer to Trixie. The sight left Vinyl with a massive smile. She slipped into her own bed, but couldn’t stop staring at the two fillies across the room. She closed her eyes and imagined a bright future, one where she and Amethyst would be together and happy as a family. Her own personal dream just waiting to be fulfilled.

It felt so close she could almost touch it.

“One more year,” she whispered. “Then everything will be as it should be.”

A light rain fell on Hoofington. Vinyl’s horn gave off a dim glow, projecting a weak dome over the head of herself and the two foals standing before her. Amethyst bounced a few times, grinning from ear to ear. “I can’t wait for you to come back! Make it soon, okay?”

Vinyl hugged her and grinned. “You bet! I’ll be back before you know it.”

“Will you? Really?” Trixie scuffed the wet dirt, head low but eyes on Vinyl. Despite her manner, she looked far healthier and cleaner than she had two weeks ago.

“Really.” Vinyl nodded with an encouraging smile. “Don’t worry, Trix, nopony’s going to mess with you, ‘cause if they do you’ll tell me and I’ll make them pay.” Her grin turned mischievous, but Trixie’s smile was frail.

Amethyst patted Trixie on the leg – leaving a smattering of mud on her coat – and nuzzled her cheek. “Everything will be okay, Trixie. You and me will be best friends. And as long as ponies know Vinyl’s on our side, we’re gonna be okay.”

“But she won’t be here,” Trixie replied with a pout.

Vinyl leaned down to nuzzle the filly. “Hey, come on. I know it’s scary, but Amethyst will be with you. She’ll look after you, won’t you, Sparkler?”

“Yeah! Promise.”

Trixie smiled at her friend’s enthusiasm, but her ears remained folded back. “Thanks, I guess. But I still don’t trust this place, okay? Don’t be surprised if I’m gone by the time you get back.”

“Hey!” Amethyst latched onto Trixie’s leg, her cheeks puffed out in a determined expression. “You’re not going anywhere!”

Vinyl shot her a grin before turning her attention back to the blushing Trixie. “Don’t worry, Trix. I’ll be back in a month to make sure everything’s fine. That’s no time at all. And if anypony gives you trouble in the meantime, just tell Dry Eyes. She’s even tougher than I am.”

Amethyst let out a little gasp. “Is not!”

“Besides,” Vinyl continued, “I have a very important job for you.”

Trixie’s ears perked at last and her brooding frown faded a bit. “You do?”

“Yep. Did you know Amethyst has nightmares?”

“She does?” Trixie turned to Amethyst. The filly released her and stepped back to give a bashful nod. “When?”

“She hasn’t had a single one in two weeks.” Vinyl stood tall and smiled Amethyst’s way. “Have you?”

Amethyst blinked and thought on the matter. She abruptly smiled. “Hey, I haven’t!”

Vinyl nudged Trixie once again. “I think it’s because you’ve been staying with her at night. When I’m gone, there’s nopony to look after her while she sleeps. Do you think you can watch over her for me?”

Trixie looked from Amethyst to Vinyl and back. After a while she nodded. “I was gonna do it anyway, but… yeah, I can do that.”

“Great!” Vinyl nuzzled a furiously blushing Trixie as Amethyst gave a little cheer. “It’s an important job. I’m trusting you to take good care of my little sister, okay?”

“Okay.” Trixie stared at her hooves, but there was a certain conviction in her tone. “I’ll protect her.”

Amethyst leaned into her and nuzzled her cheek with a giggle. “Best friend ever!”

The carriage driver whinnied his impatience. Vinyl rolled her eyes and said, “It’s about time I left. You girls be good for Miss Dry Eyes, okay? I’ll see you in a month.”

The fillies waved while she stepped into the waiting carriage, and she returned the motion through the window as it started off. The two fillies hurried back inside when Trixie failed to reproduce her shield against the rain, but they stayed at the door to watch. With a contented sigh, Vinyl sat back in her seat and relaxed. The past two weeks had been eye-opening, to say the least. Now she knew how good her ‘sister’ really was, and it thrilled her to think she may have had a hoof in that.

And Trixie. It felt so good, knowing that she’d helped a pony like her. Vinyl hoped she’d still be around when she came back. Amethyst might be getting along better with the other foals, but to have a real friend who would be there for her?

Things were well and truly looking up.

Author's Notes:

For those wondering, the opening journal entry is written during the early events of the TvE chapter Ivory Tears. (Don't follow the link unless you like spoilers. I'm providing it largely to remind the folks who have already read TvE.)

Making it so that Vinyl knew Amethyst meant it was impossible for Trixie to not come into the picture for her. I debated long and hard on exactly how to pull that off, but ultimately went with a route of closeness. The only catch to this is that when Vinyl shows up in TvE, Trixie doesn't so much as blink, much less seem to recognize her. As of right now I have two options; either I go into the appropriate chapter of TvE and make an adjustment, or... well, option #2's a secret. Regardless, a plothole exists and I intend to stamp it out one way or another.

I know you're all wondering when the proverbial fecal matter's going to hit the equally proverbial rotating blade. I assure you that it is coming, but... we've got at least one more chapter before we get there.