For the third time in less than eight hours, Twilight found herself waking up once again. This particular time had the gracious factors of being of her own volition and finding herself in her own comfortable bed, instantly trumping the previous two awakenings.

With a yawn and a stretch, she jumped out of her bed. The memories of the bizarre night creeping back into her mind. The events were so absurd that, if Twilight wasn’t used to such ridiculous events happening around Ponyville, she briefly entertained the notion that she may have dreamed the whole thing.

But Twilight knew better.

Sure enough, upon strolling out to the landing overlooking the library foyer, she saw the makeshift bed that Trixie had spent the night in but, to her surprise, the azure unicorn herself was nowhere to be seen, the sheets and pillows strewn about as if they had just recently been vacated. Instead, the only evidence to Trixie’s possible presence was her cape lying amongst the sheets, and the sound of clanging cutlery in the kitchen. It seems the magician was rooting around Twilight’s dishes. With a frown, she trotted down the stairs to investigate.

Inside, Twilight found a sickly Trixie magically rummaging through the cabinets, levitating various articles of cutlery around the room. She was clutching her stomach as she searched, a pained expression dominating her face, the cheeks of which had a pale greenish tint.

“Trixie?” Twilight called out.

“AH!” Trixie yelped, startled. Her surprise caused her to drop the numerous plates she was levitating, which shattered spectacularly upon impact with the floor.

“Now look what you made me do!” Trixie moaned, her eyebrows knitting into a frown. Twilight’s own face soon matched Trixie’s in anger.

“Trixie, what are you doing rooting around my kitchen?”Twilight snapped, her voice getting ever higher with anger. “In fact, that’s just an addition to the many questions I have. What are you doing here at all?”

“That’s no way to speak to a guest in your house, especially not Trixie,” the magician replied, lifting her nose in the air.

“GUEST?!” Twilight screamed. “WHAT MAKES YOU THINK-*cough* I- *HACK*. Her yelling had devolved into a coughing fit as Twilight inhaled her own saliva, causing her to literally choke on her own rage. “What makes you think... you’re a guest here?” Twilight managed to splutter out between heaving breaths.

Trixie replied by giggling, Twilight’s anger an endless source of amusement for her. This only served to rile up the seething unicorn further, who was now standing with spread hooves and gritted teeth.

“You need to calm down Sparkle, all that anger will be a nightmare on your blood pressure,” Trixie teased, grinning to herself.

Twilight opened her mouth to yell again, but soon saw the futility in the act. Realising Trixie was clearly making an effort to be difficult; she took a deep breath before continuing.

“If you would care to explain what you’re doing here Trixie,” Twilight continued, her voice returning to its normal volume and pitch, “I would be delighted to hear it.”

Trixie eyed the purple unicorn for a few moments, hoof raised pensively to her chin. She was perhaps trying to find more ways to irritate the poor mare, but eventually found a moment of co-operation.

“I’m here on important royal business,” she explained eventually.

“Hold on, royal business?” Twilight repeated, aghast. “You were sent by the princess?”

“Indeed I was.”

“I don’t believe it, why would Celestia send you?”

“I never said Celestia sent me.” Trixie then summoned forth a letter from thin air, which she levitated over to Twilight, who’s brain was currently threatening to leap right out of her ears.

Dear Twilight Sparkle

I hereby support the efforts of Miss Trixie Lulamoon, who brought to me a unique request. Upon analysing her situation I suggested you to assist her, as I know of your prodigious skills. Miss Lulamoon will explain the rest.

Yours sincerely

The princess of the night

A stamp of a crescent moon on deep blue night sky adorned the bottom right corner of the letter, and Luna’s flowery signature was scrawled beside it.

“You went to Luna for a favour?” Twilight asked.

“Exactly, and for some bizarre reason she suggested I seek you of all ponies to help me.”

“But why Luna?”

“Because Celestia is always so busy. Trixie, being the diligent and resourceful pony that she is, went to the much lesser contacted but no doubt just as helpful princess of the night for her request. Oh and by the way, Trixie is going to be crashing here for a few days.”

“What have I done?” Twilight asked the kitchen ceiling. “When did I ever do something so horrible to deserve this punishment?” The ceiling remained stubbornly silent.

“Oh come now,” Trixie interrupted Twilight’s lamenting. “This could even be fun!” she smiled, batting her tail off of Twilight’s face as she walked past. “And make some breakfast would you? I’m starving, and I can’t find anything in this supposed kitchen.” With that, Trixie left Twilight alone, who could only hang her head in despair at the discovery of her new housemate.