Poor Company - Chapter 1

Throwing Away the Sun – Part 1 of Poor Company

Every time I enter a city, heads turn, ponies step out of the way, others lurk from their windows, and whispers hover in the air. That's just how things are. Everypony knows what I look like, but (hesitantly I'll add) I'm not the only unicorn with my magnificent coat, nor am I the only one with my beautiful mane.

But why are they so interested? Well, that isn't a very hard question. I am the only unicorn who has ever single-handedly vanquished an Ursa Major.

'Such power is something to praise, but also to be wary of,' or so I've heard. As if I believe that—with power comes fame, and with fame comes success. But sometimes you have to make sacrifices for that fame.

And so here I am. Standing in the grandest of cities, suitable for even my tastes, waiting. This all because of a request by a possible client—the irritating part being: this client has felt inclined to tell me nothing! He—she?—won't tell me anything; I don't even know what he looks like or his name, where to meet him, or what kind of pony he is! Nearly a dozen letters and the only thing he's mentioned is that it's imperative that I accept his request "…for the fate of Equestria depends on it."

Sigh. Sundown is but hours away. Clearly, nothing will be accomplished by just standing here. A younger colt is passing by, so I guess I'll just—

"You there." The colt turns in my direction, and promptly skips his way over. "Go and alert whoever you see fit that a new unicorn is in town."


---


I let out a refreshing sigh as I sink further into a tub of steaming water; the heat massaging my aching body. How was I supposed to know that if I missed that train, the only way up here was to climb a mountain?! Who puts a capital city on the side of a mountain anyways?

Knock, knock, knock.

You have got to be kidding me! I check in for all of half-an-hour and somepony has already found where I'm staying? "Haaa—b-b-b-b-b," is my response as I sigh and submerge myself. If this is important, they'll come back later. I'm far too relaxed to be bothered by such a distraction.

Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock.

And the knocking persists! Of. Course.

I drag myself out of my heavenly retreat and into a robe as I make my way to the entrance. With a grumble, I crack the door open until the chain lock goes taut.

P-P-Princess Celestia?!

It has to be her! No pony else has a mane like that, nor both a Unicorn horn and Pegasus wings. What's she here for? What does she want? I'm not even dressed right. Should I ask her to wait so I can dry off?

No. It's worse to make her wait. Breathe! Relax. And greet the princess. This is all about composure!

I close my eyes for just a moment—long enough to grab the last bit of concentration stashed away in the back of my consciousness—and I undo the chain lock. My eyes snap back open as I brandish a sharp—no, wait, not sharp—welcoming grin across my lips. I open the door; there's no going back.

"Ah, Great and Powerful Trixie. So this is where you're staying after all!" Celestia's voice sounds awfully surprised, but she's probably just being polite.

"Princess Celestia, I'm honored!" I declare. "Trix—err—I apologize for my appearance, I was just—?"

"Ooh, no no, Trixie. You don't need to explain. After all, the honor is mine."

What?

"I've seen your work, and I must say: I am very impressed," is what I'm hearing, but it isn't what I'm believing. She's just buttering me up for a favor, but I won't fall for it—wait! Is it possible that she's the one? That would explain—

"You have a very special talent, Trixie, and as for the reason for my visit, I hoped that you would agree to hold a performance at the Canterlot Castle Gardens."

"Oh, really?" And the catch is?

"That is why you have arrived in Canterlot, is it not?" Her eyebrow rises as she waits patiently for my answer.

"No," I reply after a short pause. "I have my own reasons, but I'll be keeping those to myself for now." I need more information still, so I can't just leave it like this.

"Hmm. Given this opportunity, I may consider putting on a show after all," I add.

"Understandable. I do hope you'll accept." She glances outside before leaning forward and whispering. "I also heard that somepony wishes for the chance to meet you."

I blink. Twice. Nothing? No catch? How can I say no to something like that? It sounds like she isn't this annoying 'pen pal' of mine, but she might lead me to him. I suppose I'll accept.

"I—"

"Oh! Silly me. I nearly forgot the time," Princess Celestia interrupts. "I'll send you a letter with a written invitation once sunset passes. I apologize for not being able to spend more time with you, Trixie, but I do hope to hear from you soon." Before I can respond, she's already out the door.

I, um, that was something… and I'm now just standing here, gawking at the hallway.

Hmph! Whatever. I already know my answer, so all I have to do is wait.

I close and relock the door before heading back to my bath.


---


Canterlot Castle. Just as spectacular at night, under the moon's soft glow, as during the day.

Such a sight should put me on edge; after all, I'm about to perform the biggest show in my life, Royalty—and their guards—will be watching my every move the moment I enter castle grounds, oh, and that closed drawbridge is hardly inviting.

I glance down for a moment, letting out a quick sigh—

No! This is my night! I'm not going to be nervous; I can't be.

Look, Trixie. You have your written invitation to get into the castle, and you've arrived hours before sunrise, plenty of time to prepare. You're using your wand and the highest caliber spells that you know, so they will have no choice but to fall out of their seats in awe!

When Princess Celestia brings that sun up, it'll be Trixie's time to shine! My destiny is the rising sun!

Poetic.

Sigh, too poetic.


---


Thirty... Thirty-Five… Forty… At least fifty of the highest class ponies in Equestria. Skimming the crowd, I see Hoity Toity, Fancy Pants and that mare of his, Fleetfoot and some other Wonderbolts… Oh, is that Photo Finish? Quite the camera she has there.

This couldn't get any more perfect!

Up on her balcony, Princess Celestia is getting ready for her morning duty, so I'll begin dimming the lights I have scattered throughout the gardens.

A hush waves over the crowd, and a chill pulses through my chest—this really couldn't get any more perfect!

The starry sky above fades to a dim blue as the sun begins to rise. Through the garden's thicket, a single, warm ray of the morning's first light shines brilliantly upon center stage. I flash a grin as my body fills with energy—with a burst, I appear under the natural spotlight.

The crowd sparks alive. Cheers fill the gardens for a time, while a mist begins forming around me, building up on its own.

A reflective haze in my likeness forms behind me, looming over the faintly illuminated stage.

"Welcome—" I bellow as I bow, my misty 'shadow' mimicking my movements. "—and be amazed as The Great and Powerful Trixie performs magic beyond your imagination!" My 'shadow' while glistening under the brilliant rays of the sun, begins lifting into the air, rings of mist rotating and sparkling all around as it begins to break apart. Almost every particle glitters as they scatter into the air, illuminating the entire garden as the reflecting light magnifies in brightness.

"Trixie guarantees you won't even know what hit you." The area continues to grow brighter as more and more light dazzles in from the ever-rising sun.

Only a little longer.

I begin another spell, clenching as I focus through my wand. Grand fanfare-like music begins its crescendo from a mere whisper as the mists swirl over our heads.

Each note grows louder and louder; the mad swirling of light circles faster and faster, becoming brighter and brighter, until finally! My iconic fanfare blares, echoing throughout the castle grounds. Near blinding light erupts, consuming everypony in a field of white. A near ground-shattering shockwave explodes across the gardens, tumbling and turning everything around and around.

My head turns and pulsates, but the pain is gone. I take a soft, but long breath as I open my eyes—darkness spreads over the entirety of the scene. I can feel the presence of the crowd, but accompanying them is a cold emptiness. It's only due time before the stronger of the Unicorns and Alicorns wake.

I clear my throat—more to make sure I even have the strength to speak than anything. "Somepony here has requested my services. I have answered your letters, and I wish to hear your terms. Would you kindly step forward?"

A mind in the audience sparks with warmth as somepony wakes.

"Most impressive of spells, Great and Powerful Trixie." I flinch back immediately as a mare speaks out. She holds a certain demeanor that practically demands respect, but it feels as though she's holding back. "We commend your studies and dedication to the arts of magic."

We?

She takes a step onto my stage and illuminates—as per my spell—as though the soft light of the moon shines over her. My eyes are immediately drawn to the solemn, yet glorious starry night within her mane. The regal Alicorn of the night: Nightmare Moon stands before me as a client for my services.

I feel another mind awaken, but not from the audience. And it is leaving?

Hmph. Her duty here is done, I suppose.

"Please, do not fret, Trixie. We do not cometh to thou as Nightmare Moon, but as Princess Luna, Keeper of the Night and Protector of the Elements of Harmony."

…

"Willst thou listen to our request?" Her head is dipped partly down as she takes her steps one by one towards me; an almost pathetic sight.

"I suppose I will at least hear you out, for your sake Princess," I reply.

Her head lifts slightly from my response as she continues moving closer. The pathetic look upon her-highness's face fades and is replaced by one more serious—something far more fitting of a princess.

"Our sister, in our time away, has taken a Unicorn of immense potential under her wing. One who has harnessed the power of the Elements of Harmony," she said as her head starts dipping again. "She has already rescued us from ourself. From Nightmare Moon—"

"Sappy. Go on," I interrupt.

But instead of increasing her spirits as I had hoped, I get a sigh in response. "Thou surely do remind us of ourself in our youth," she whispers under her breath.

"Oh?" I raise an eyebrow. "How so?"

She looks up into the vast nothingness as she begins to reminisce. "One thousand years ago," she takes a small breath. "I was…overcome by my own emotions. A wicked being of hated, envy, and selfishness emerged—no. I dare not make excuses. This being is who I became.

"My sister gained love and admiration from our subjects during the day, but at night the same subjects slept and hid away, leaving me alone to watch over them. As the years passed, I slipped further. I needed praise. I needed recognition."

Her gaze slowly sinks away towards the ground.

"I lost my head, and thus I could only think of taking what I needed in one way: by force." She takes a deep breath and looks to me—she's about to ask me for a terrible favor. I just know it.

"And so, to prevent this from occurring once more, I wish to test the chosen Unicorn's dedication and strength. Alas, I cannot allow her to know of my intentions, but I must see it for myself.

"Great and Powerful Trixie, I ask for your assistance in strengthening the Elements of Harmony! Go to Ponyville and put on a show. Make the biggest claims you can think of and challenge the one named Twilight Sparkle."

"Is she the one?" I ask for clarification.

"She is Celestia's student, yes.

"And there is a catch," she continues. "For you must follow my plan to the tee."


---


"—forcing Twilight Sparkle to vanquish it—"

"WHAT?!"

"Please let me fin—"

"You expect The Great and Powerful Trixie to simply blow Trixie's entire career on this one foal?! Are you out of your mind?!"

"I am not do—"

"Trixie's destiny is to be the most famous Unicorn in all of Equestria! Do you honestly believe, even for a moment, that Trixie would ever—"

"SILENCE!"

Lightning cracks through the darkness, breaking straight through the void and revealing everything for a moment. Thunder explodes through the gardens, shaking me nearly face first into the ground.

"Thou shalt be known as a hero in Equestria, for your actions will be that of most importance to solidify the power of the Elements of Harmony!"

"G-go on."

Princess Luna's rage begins dying down as she continues. "There are many threats that Celestia and myself could only contain for a time by using the Elements of Harmony. The one known as Twilight Sparkle and her friends have the capability to harness the full potential of the Elements of Harmony—but they must be properly prepared. Your efforts will bring them a mighty step closer to that potential, and we must finish preparing them before it has become too late. If we fail, then Equestria—no, the entire world—will fall.

"Please, Great and Powerful Trixie. As a ruler of this kingdom who only wishes the best for its citizens, I beg you."

Weakness?

"Let us talk about this after my show," I give Princess Luna a stern glare while holding in a grin. In return, she nods and returns to the crowd.