Trixie walked into the castle, wondering just why Twilight had yet to have any guards. Had she been coming to take revenge like her last time in Ponyville, Twilight would have been doomed.

Trixie glanced around, noticing how quiet the castle was.

Her friends must be out, she thought. Now, where would Trixie find you?

The castle library. It wasn’t that hard to figure out. They’d talked so much over letters that Trixie knew from them that Twilight’s love of books was most likely unmatched in the world.

Chuckling to herself, Trixie hurried in the direction of the library, Twilight’s last letter had given her directions, so she knew where to go.

When Trixie reached the library, however, she heard voices from the others side. One was Twilight, but the other didn’t sound familiar.

Even though Trixie’s logical mind told her it was probably just one of Twilight’s friends, or one of the townsponies, some part of her got a bad feeling. After listening at the door for a few moments and the tones of the conversation, that bad feeling only grew worse.

Using a silencing spell on the door so it wouldn’t make a sound when opened, Trixie moved it a bit and peaked in through the crack. What she saw froze her to the spot.

Twilight was suspended in the air, a yellowish-orange glow surrounding her. The other being in the room she’d heard wasn’t even a pony. It looked like Discord, expect it was clearly female and had an air that seemed more dangerous than the dragonequus Trixie had come to know... relatively speaking, that is, since she’d never actually spoken once with him.

She listened to the conversation, before a screen thing appeared in from of Twilight, like a magic screen, something not too often seen. The only time she’d ever seen one was when she’d cast one herself. While she could not see what was on it, Twilight’s wails were a clear sign it wasn’t good. Upon closer look, she saw why. It showed the Princesses, but they'd been turned to stone!

After the female Discord, who Trixie thought she heard mention her name was Eris, had gotten rid of the screen, two ponies appeared in the room, held in the air just like Twilight.

“Mom!” the lavender mare cried, her eyes wide with fear. “Dad!”

“Twilight!” they both cried.

Trixie’s heart pounded in her chest. What was this Eris doing? Why was she keeping Twilight suspended like that, and why did she bring Twilight’s parents into this? And why was she still just standing her?

Trixie got her gut-wrenching answer for all but her last question a second later as both the new ponies’ body twisted themselves inside out. Trixie felt like she was going to be sick.

Discord had never gone this far. Just who was this Eris and how could she be so heartless? She’d just murdered Twilight’s parents right in front of her, in cold blood, without a care in the world and in such a horrible manner.

Trixie realized she’d zoned out at some point, because when she focused again, Twilight was dropping to the crystal floor, unconscious.

The female dragonequus grinned down at the unconscious mare, about to click her talon.

“GET AWAY FROM HER, YOU BITCH!” Trixie screamed, finally managing to make herself move, charging through the door, pulling the Alicorn Amulet out from beneath her cloak, where’d she’d hidden it on the way over and put it around her neck, her only thought about saving the mare most important to her.

The female dragonequus turned in surprise as her talon clicked, before Trixie felt a spell flash before her mind, it leaping to her horn and erupting forth.

The beam slammed into the one standing between her and Twilight. The beam sent that monster crashing through the ceiling and soaring into the sky.

Trixie hurried over to where Twilight was, but, at the same moment, the whole castle began to shake. Trixie wobbled, wondering what was happening. A cracking sound from above made Trixie look up and yelp as a large piece of the crystalline structure’s ceiling fell, missing her by an inch.

As more and more chucks feel from the ceiling and columns started collapsing, Trixie realized what was happening. The castle was falling apart, with them still inside.

Trixie looked to the unconscious princess and saw she wasn’t moving. She needed to save her.

“Twilight!” she cried, running towards the still figure, her horn glowing.

It was late evening in Ponyville, though you couldn't tell from the sun still looking as if it were setting. The whole town was silent after the destruction of the Friendship Castle, none daring to leave their homes for fear of what might happen.

As the perpetual sunset bathed the land in a warm, orangery glow, a navy-blue figure pushed herself out of the rumble. She was bruised all over, but alive.

“Ow,” she moaned, putting a hand to her forehead. “That wasn’t pleasant.” Suddenly she remembered. “Twilight? Twilight, where are you?!”

A groan from a little away within the crystal rubble made Trixie’s head snap in that direction. Her horn glowed, moving the rubble away.

What she saw caused her to gasp. Twilight’s body was bruised and bloody, her right-eye black.

“Twilight!” she cried, making her way through the rubble to the Alicorn, kneeling down and holding her torso. “Twilight, are you alright? Please, answer me!”

The Alicorn stared up at her with vacant, glazed-over eyes.

“Twilight, it’s Trixie!” the blue mare said, her voice quivering. “Can you hear me?”

“Trix...” the lavender mare whispered in a garbled voice.

“Yes!” Trixie had a franticness that showed through her smile. “Trixie, remember, Twilight?”

“Trix... light,” the mare’s eyes became more vacant and Trixie could sense her magic and life-force fading.

“No!” she cried, her voice almost a sob. “Please! Please, you can’t die! Don’t you dare die!”

You can save her.

Shut up! Trixie thought at the voice, knowing full-well where it had come from. The last time Trixie listened to you, you made her treat everypony as if she were a monster!

So you’ll let this mare you care so much about die, just because you hold a grudge against me for putting me on when you were thinking of revenge?

Trixie said shut up!

If you want her to live, you’re going to have to trust me, at least this one time.

Trust you?! Did you not hear me before? The last time Trixie trusted you she became a monster!

I promise that will not happen this time. And, if it does, I swear on my creator that I will not hold back your thoughts of taking me off.

Trixie would have responded again, but a gurgled cough from the mare in her arms stopped her.

Fine! Fine, Trixie trusts you! Please, just help me save her!

At once, several spells were brought to the forefront of Trixie’s mind. Not wanting to waste time, for Twilight had so little left, Trixie didn’t even bother examine the spells before she cast them, her horn glowing with her azure aura... something nagging at her that it shouldn’t be, but that she ignored in focusing on saving the one pony she cared about more than any other in the world.

Trixie felt a wave of relief flow through her as she saw Twilight’s wounds beginning to heel. She would have focused on that more, but suddenly her breasts felt weird.

Glancing down, Trixie was shocked as she saw them starting to expand. Before, her chest had been average at best, a little bigger than Rainbow Dash’s. As she watch, they expanded til they were as large as Pinkie Pies, while at the same time becoming aware that they were filling with a liquid, her eyes widening as she realized it was milk.

What the tartarus? Why would the Amulet have given her a spell that made her breasts fill will milk if she needed spells to save Twilight?

Something else, however, made those thoughts fly out of the blue unicorn’s mind as her eyes fell on the mare in her arms. Twilight was getting younger! Not just that, but her colours were changing.

Her lavender fur was slowly turning into a blue a shade whiter than her own and her mane and tail were changing to match her own mane and tails colour pallets, if a little brighter.

Her eyes wide, Trixie could only stare as Twilight’s chest shrank down, her massive bust fading away until she barely looked like she’d started puberty.

When the spell was finished, Trixie just stared, her mouth agape. The mare she now held in her arms was not an adult lavender Alicorn with a blue mane and tail with a stripe of light-purple through it. Instead, she was holding a maybe teenage whitish-navy-blue Alicorn filly with a mane and tail that were white and very light-blue.

But, if the colour scheme and age transformation had shocked her, it was nothing compared to what she saw on Twilight’s flanks. Where there was one a six-pointed purple star, with five smaller white stars around it, there was still a six-pointed star, but now it was white and had a wand with a light-blue five-point star at its end, just like her own Cutie Mark, across the six-pointed star.

Trixie just stared, unable to believe what she was seeing.

What...? What did you do? she thought, horrified.

I gave you your wish.

What?

You wanted to save this pony and you also wanted a child. I have given you both.

How dare you?! Trixie fumed, glaring down at the Amulet as it sat on her neck. You... you...

Save her?

Come again?

Trixie could swear she heard a sigh. The mare you know as Twilight Sparkle, died at the claw and paw of Eris. Her mind was shatter beyond repair. In order to save her, some things needed to be done.

So you change her very being? You changed her Cutie Mark! Her CUTIE MARK!

If was the only way. She will retain some remnants of her former self, but she cannot and would not have been able to survive as Twilight Sparkle. After what Eris put her through, she had lost all the will to live. But she needs to live, if there is any hope of saving Equestria from Eris.

For an evil Amulet that corrupts whomever wears you, you’re sure sounding like you care about the lives of other ponies, Trixie thought scathingly.

She could swear it huffed at her for that statement. I only corrupt those who put me on with thoughts of ill intent.

Trixie blinked. Come again?

She heard another sigh. I am not an evil magic artifact. History has gotten that wrong, though I am honestly not surprised. Every being that has worn me up til now has always put me on with thoughts of defeating their enemies or gaining more power.

Trixie doesn’t...

I amplify the power of whomever places me upon their body, the Amulet cut her off. I do not just corrupt any who wears me. The power I give is depended on the emotions my wearer is feeling when they first put me on. An obvious example: When you put me on before, it was with the intent to upstage the very mare you now hold in your arms. Due to those negative thoughts, my powers amplified you own, but began corrupting your thoughts due to what you had been thinking when you placed me on.

And... this time? Trixie didn’t quite understand where this was going.

This time, when you put me on, though your first action was to blast Eris away; your main focus was on saving the pony that means the most to you in this world. That is the first time in too long that a being has put me on with a truly pure intent behind their motives. Due to this, the magic you now have access to will never corrupt you and I will only offer my council, should you ever need it. Now, I believe your child awakens.

As the Amulet’s voice went silent, the young filly in Trixie’s arms stirred.

Trixie went rigid, as the young mare opened her eyes, which Trixie was thankful to see were still lavender. Those same eyes looked up at her sleepily.

Trixlight.

Before Trixie could question the word the Amulet said so suddenly, the whitish-blue Alicorn smiled up at the older mare. “Momma?”

Trixie heart caught in her through. You made her think I’m her mother?!

She needs a mother, Trixie. After seeing her birth parents deaths as she did, her mind needed to latch onto a lifeline during the spell. You are that line. Your daughter needs you, so be there for her.

Trixie looked down at the filly looking back at her, before the word the Amulet said caught in her mind. “Trix... light?”

The young Alicorn giggled. Then, to Trixie’s shock, the mare lend up and clamped her mouth over one of Trixie’s nipples. To further her shock, she began sucking and Trixie could feel the milk within that breast starting to flow from her nipple’s tip and into the mouth of the pony suckling it.

Wh-what’s she doing? she cried at the Amulet.

It sighed in response. The spell needed to heal her was... difficult. Her mind and body were both in a state normal magic cannot heal. Magic has its limits, Trixie. To fill in what I could not, Trixlight will require you breast milk for nourishment and healing for at least two months.

She’s a teenager! Why would a teenager need to breastfeed?!

Because the milk within your breasts has healing properties that magic cannot pass into another living creature. If you want your daughter to survive and be able to be the pony she can be, this is how it must be done.

Trixie looked down at the young pony against her chest. As she watched, Trixie couldn’t help noticing the peaceful expression on her face. As she thought about it, Trixie noticed there was nothing sexual about this. the mare was not trying to arouse Trixie, nor did Trixie feel that way. If anything she felt... she felt...

Trixie shut her eyes, wrapping her arms around the younger mare, holding her in a gentle embrace, a warmth in her chest she’d never felt before.

“And that is everything that has happened since Trixie left your hut,” the unicorn finished, after having spent half an hour explaining the events within Ponyville to the zebra sitting across from her.

They were sitting at the table within Zecora’s hut, a cup of tea in front of each of them, Zecora holding hers in her hands, whilst Trixie had not even touch her own.

The young Alicorn was sleeping in Zecora’s bed, her expression peaceful.

There was a long pause while Zecora took a sip of her tea, before gently placing the cup down on the table again.

“I will admit, I got quite the fright, when you came back to my hut, carrying an unconscious mare looking so much like Twilight. An interesting tale you have told, regarding the events that did enfold.”

Trixie nodded, looking down at the Amulet on her neck. The colour had change. Before, it had been red, but now, the colour matched her eyes.

“I am also find it odd that, since she has become of your ilk, that young mare now relies on your milk.”

Trixie blushed heavily. “I explained to your why. The Amulet could only do so much with magic. So, for the healing to be fully completed, it caused me to produce milk with special healing properties that will finish the job.”

There was silence for a while more.

After some time, Trixie looked down at the Amulet and place and hand on it.

“Did... did you know the truth? About the Amulet, I mean?” the mare asked, looking to the shaman. “Did you know that, if Trixie put it on without ill intent, it could be a source for good?”

Zecora did not answer. She turned her head and looked at the sleeping mare. “Her name is now Trixlight, am I right?”

Trixie nodded, her face a mask of shame. “When Trixie said she wanted to gain a daughter with Twilight's help... she never meant to make Twilight that daughter.”

“Do not make yourself feel revolt. It is due to Eris’ actions that you had to make Twilight your child, over gaining a filly or colt.”

Trixie sighed. “What should Trixie do now? Do you want the Amulet back?”

Zecora shook her head. “Handing it over to you I did not accept, but you must now wear it, for your daughter is one you need to protect.”

Trixie frowned. “Trixie doesn’t understand.”

Zecora closed her eyes. “From what you have told me of how you sent Eris flying through the Equestrian skies, you weakened her power, as I can best surmise. Though, I am afraid there is another matter that must be handled quite soon. Who will tend to the movements of the sun and moon?”

Trixie blinked. “What’re you...?”

Her eyes widened in horror. She’d seen the image of the princesses on that screen. They were stone. If they were stone, who would raise the sun and moon everyday? That was why it still looked like early twilight when she'd awoken. Celestia couldn't lower the sun, because she was trapped in stone. The same for Luna in regards to raising the moon.

“Thankfully, the answer is within your power, for your magic, with the Amulet, now does tower.”

Trixie frowned. “What?”

“Princess Cadance rules the Crystal Empire. For her to attempt to also move the celestial bodies, the results would be quite dire. Their coarse must be fixed soon, so I ask you to take on this task, Trixie Lulamoon.”

Trixie stared, slack jawed. “You want me to raise the sun and moon?! That... that’s not possible!”

Actually, right now, it isn’t.

Shut up, you! I’m not in the mood!

Okay. Have it your way.

“I can’t be responsible for raising the sun and moon!” Trixie stood up, slamming her palms on the table. “I’ve already a teenage daughter to think about; a daughter I didn’t even have until a short time ago, and you want me to raise the sun and moon as well?! Are you insane?!”

“Without the sun and moon, Equestria will never be right, for we shall be trapped in an eternal twilight.”

Trixie’s anger halted as she raised an eyebrow. “Huh?”

“If the sun does not go down, the moon cannot rise and many will do far more than frown.”

It took Trixie a few moments to figure out that riddle. “You mean, if the sun isn’t put down the moon won’t ever rise and we’ll never have day or night?!”

Zecora nodded. “Like Discord in the past, Eris will not care how long either last. But your attack left her weak, giving us a chance, to steal this peak. With the Amulet’s magic flowing through you, raising the sun and moon is something only you can do.”

“But, maybe Twi— I mean Trixlight...”

The words died on her tongue. Trixlight might still have the same amount of magical potential as her former self, but she couldn’t possibly know how to raise the sun and moon.

Yes, she’d done so before, when Tirek had been attacking Equestria, but that was only because she’d had Celestia, Luna and Cadance’s magic within her, along with her own. To expect her to raise the sun and moon each day now, when she had only her own magic, and after we’d Eris had put her through...

Trixie hung her head. “I’ll do it.”

Zecora gave a kind smirk. “You have stopped speaking in the third-person, I see. That shows you are aware how serious this is, Trixie.”

The mare nodded, then glanced down at the Amulet. So, how does this work?

I will lead you in. Just search for the energies of the sun and moon. They will no doubt resist you at first, as they did Twilight when she had to take charge of them. But, after they feel your aura, I am certain they will respond to you.

Trixe nodded, taking a deep breath, closed her eyes and extended her magical reach outward. At once she felt them, two orbs of energy, in great contrast to each other. One was warm and rough, while the other was cool and gentle.

Straining, Trixie reached out to them and tried to shift them, moving the flaming orb to lower and the cool one to rise. They resisted for a few moments, not familiar with the one trying to lower her as either of the two Alicorn sisters. But, after a few moments, the sun sank down below the horizon, whilst the moon rose up, ready to take its place in the sky.

Once she was finished, Trixie gasped, almost losing her footing.

Zecora moved forward to grab her to stop her falling, but Trixie held up a hand, steadying herself.

After taking a few deep breaths, she looked back to the zebra, grinning. “Night has fallen.”

Zecora nodded and walked over to the window, looking up at the sky. “Equestria will have to get used to stars positions as they shine bright.”

Trixie frowned.

Zecora just smirked. “Unless you wish to have to change their order, each and every night?”

Trixie blanched. Sure, she could raise the sun and moon, but do as Luna and move the stars? Not on her life!

She shook her head. “No-no-no. Trixie will not. The stars can stay as they are. I won’t alter them in anyway.” Especially since I don’t want to deal with Luna’s anger once we’ve somehow freed her, she thought to herself.

Zecora nodded, then looked to the resting Alicorn. “If you wish to keep safe your daughter, I suggest going and seeing her brother.”

Trixie blinked, before her heart leaped in her throat. “Oh shit! Shining Armour! I totally forgot about him!” she put her head in her hand, her voice becoming muffled. “Oh, he’s going to kill me when he finds out what I’ve done to his little sister!”

Zecora was silent for a moment, before she shook her head. “I do not think so, on further insight. I’m sure he will understand when he learns it was in trying to save Twilight.”

Trixie slowly looked to her with uncertainty. “Are you sure?”

The zebra nodded, then looked out the window. “You must take Trixlight away from her, if her safety is your desire.”

“Oh course her safety’s my desire!” Trixie cried, slamming her hands on the table again. “She’s my daughter...” She stopped, lifting her hands and looking down at them in mild shock.

“Then I’d advise taking her to the Crystal Empire.”

This caused nothing but confusion in the blue mare. “What? Why? ... I mean, aside from her brother being there and maybe being able to help protect her, of course.”

Zecora’s expression became firm. “The Empire is the only place she can stay with Eris being unable to cause her harm. There, Discord’s powers cannot cause no need for alarm.”

Trixie frowned. “But Discord isn’t the problem. Eris is the one out to take over Equestria.”

The shaman merely shook her head. “Eris is Discord’s female self, that much we can tell. Anything that stops him, will stop her as well.”

Trixie was about to argue, when the meaning of Zecora’s words rang out in her mind. A smile spread across her face.

She ran forward and hugged the zebra. “Thank you, Zecora. I know what I have to do now.”

The one she was hugging merely chuckled. “That I believe is still in need of a bit of a fix.” She pulled back, a sly smile on her face. “In order for everything to work out, you will need the six.”

Trixie frowned, not getting it.

Zecora merely held up a hand. “You will understand in time.” Then her expression saddened a little “Now, if you wish to rest before your journey, the house you can stay in, cannot be mine. Twilight knows my home too well, and I fear Trixlight will be able to tell.”

Trixie nodded, her expression saddening as her shoulders drooped. “Where can we stay until we leave? When should we leave?”

“I shall answer your second question first. You should leave after gaining supplies to ward off hunger and thirst. As to whom’s house you shall stay, there is one I can suggest, not too far away. Considering what we face leaves us with such high stakes, I would suggest staying with the Cakes.”

Author's Notes:

GAH! Thank Celestia, this chapter is done! Writing for Zecora is a BITCH! I am so cutting out most of her rhyming in the fic i'm writing where she is a main character and bullshiting a reason. GOD!

Anyway, so, yeah, that's why the coverart is the way it is. Next chapter we'll flashback to when the Mane 5 and Spike arrived in Canterlot and learned the trap they'd fallen into.

I look forward to writing their little adventures trying to get to the Empire as much as i will trixie and trixlight's.

Hope you enjoyed this, please leave comments below, feel free to point out any errors i've made as politely as possible and, til next time, later everypony