Twilight. The Counterstrike or the Alicorn's Revenge!

The Castle of the Princess of Friendship

Say what you will, but this enormous castle felt quite empty. Or, to put it bluntly, anyone who ever set foot here noted that the Castle of the Princess of Friendship was very empty and altogether… devoid of ponies. This led to certain thoughts about the castle's owner, which, quite possibly… were incorrect. But right now, Trixie was simply creeping down the pony-less corridor, her heart pounding as she recalled the terrifying stories Starlight had told her about the castle. She knew for sure that Twilight was currently at the School of Friendship, but this somehow didn’t bring much comfort to the Great and Powerful Trixie. True, Starlight had called her here, and she officially lived here, so she could invite her best friend over. This was how the cornflower-blue magician tried to reassure herself, though, to be honest, it didn’t help much. “There you are!” Starlight’s voice suddenly rang out from the side, making the unicorn jump nearly to the ceiling. “W-w-what’s the big idea sneaking up on me like that?!” Trixie lashed out at Starlight with indignation. “Sorry,” Starlight genuinely apologized. “I didn’t mean to scare you.” “I wasn’t scared!” Trixie immediately switched to her usual record. “The Great and Powerful Trixie cannot be frightened by her very own best friend!” “Alright, let’s go already!” Starlight Glimmer didn’t fall for the flattery. “We’ve got big problems, so let’s not waste time on trivialities!” Trixie shrugged and, adjusting her star-embroidered cloak, which had gotten slightly crumpled after the jump, followed her friend. Her determined gaze kept darting around, casting wary glances from under her conical, star-adorned hat.

* * *

In Starlight’s room, Trixie discreetly caught her breath and began looking around. Everything was just as she remembered from her last visit, yet something felt off. Finally, she realized what it was—the room, as always, was in perfect order, except for the desk of the Student of the Princess of Friendship. Starlight’s desk was piled with scrolls, books, folios, and sheets of writing paper covered in neat, incomprehensible scribbles. “What’s all this?” Trixie stuck her nose into one of the scrolls. She never missed an opportunity to learn something new, especially when Starlight was around to explain the confusing parts. But this time, the scroll didn’t contain magical formulas—just some incomprehensible squiggles. “This is a copy of a scroll Twilight left behind in the dining hall today,” Starlight whispered loudly to her friend. “She was writing it during breakfast!” “But this gibberish is unreadable!” Trixie protested. “Has she forgotten how to write like a normal pony, or is this some alicorn thing?” “It’s much worse!” Starlight’s eyes widened into two enormous circles on her pink muzzle as she whispered. “She deliberately protected the scroll from outsiders! It was even protected against copying!” “Why would she do that?” the cornflower-blue unicorn immediately asked. “And how did you manage to read and copy it then?” “Why she did it—I’ll explain later,” Starlight replied. “How I read it—that’s not so important either. Let’s just say I found the right spells in the library. What’s really important here is what’s written in this scroll!” “And what is written there? Can these squiggles even be read?” Trixie made a displeased face. “Turns out they can,” Starlight nodded confidently. “It’s Neighponese. The language of the ponies who live on the islands east of Equestria.” “You know their language?!” the magician exclaimed in surprise. “N-not exactly,” Starlight shook her head. “I just grabbed a Neighponese-Equestrian phrasebook and dictionary. With their help, I managed to translate some of the sentences. And I must say, the translations are unsettling!” “Well, what do they say?” Trixie perked up her ears curiously. “Look here,” Starlight pulled a sheet of notes closer. “The first phrase is written like this: «復讐が力を与える事に　驚くだろう». In Neighponese, it sounds like: «Fukushū ga chikara o ataeru koto ni odorokudarou». And what does this gibberish mean?” Trixie wrinkled her nose amusingly. “I translated it as: ‘You will be surprised at the power revenge can give you.’ And why would Twilight need this?” Trixie flicked her ears in confusion. “Maybe you translated it wrong?” “Wrong?!” Starlight sounded slightly offended. “Then listen to this next phrase!” The unicorn pointed her horn at another line: «復讐は冷ましてから食べる料理である». It sounds like: «Fukushū wa samashite kara taberu ryōridearu». Which translates to: ‘Revenge is a dish best served cold.’ “So what?” Trixie asked calmly. “Why are you so worked up about this? So what if you found a couple of phrases in Neighponese?” “All the phrases are about this!” Starlight couldn’t hold back a cry. “Do you know what’s written at the end of the list?!” “What?!” “Here!” Starlight pointed to another note at the end of the list: «リベンジは!» «Ribenji wa!» Starlight blurted out. “Cool!” Trixie tapped her hooves on the floor. “Short, but so intense! What does it mean?” “‘Revenge is coming!’” Starlight declared. “Hmm… could this just be some kind of exercise?” Trixie mused. “Maybe Twilight started learning this Neighponese?” “I know for a fact she already knew it before,” Starlight shook her head. “A year ago, I saw her talking to the Neighponese ambassador without a translator. He even gave her a sword—a long, curved one called a katana.” After this, Starlight fell silent but fixed her friend with a very meaningful look. “Just explain to me properly what you’re trying to say!” the cornflower-blue performer snapped, losing patience under her friend’s gaze. “What’s the point of all these Neighponese sayings?!” “So you still don’t get it?!” Starlight was stunned. “You know Twilight, Tri!” “So what? All of Equestria knows her, what’s so special about that?!” “It’s been exactly a month since the day we pranked her!” Trixie paused for a second, then her eyes widened, and she looked at her friend in astonishment: “Are you saying she’s planning payback?!” “Finally, Trixie!” Starlight stomped her hooves. “Finally, it got through to you!” “Of course it got through to me!” Trixie pouted slightly. “I’m not stupid!” Starlight decided not to voice her thoughts on the matter. She had more pressing concerns than wasting time arguing with her friend.

* * *

“So you think Twilight was really hurt back then and didn’t forgive us, but held onto the grudge? And now she wants revenge?” “I wish I were wrong,” Starlight sighed. “I’m terrified to think what Twilight could have come up with, given her systematic approach to problem-solving! I’m afraid she’s already made a list with every step of revenge against us spelled out, Tri.” Trixie imagined this list and felt uneasy. She knew the Princess of Friendship’s character well and understood that with her brains and thoroughness, Twilight wouldn’t leave her and Starlight a single chance to escape retribution. “M-maybe,” she stammered, “it’s not as bad as you think? Maybe you’re just overreacting?” “I won’t rule that out,” Starlight agreed placidly, but her tone suggested otherwise. “Then let me keep an eye on her and try to find out about her preparations?” Trixie suggested. “If she’s planning something for us, she’ll slip up sooner or later!” “Hmm…” Starlight thoughtfully tugged a strand of her mane. “Not a bad idea. Twilight’s at the School of Friendship right now and will be there until evening. But how will you get in? You’d need a really solid excuse.” “That’s easy,” Trixie waved a hoof. “You’ll write me an invitation yourself. Like… for a tour or a performance for the foals.” “Me?!” Starlight was surprised. “Yeah, you!” Trixie nodded. “You’re the assistant principal for the mental health department. So invite me for some mental relaxation for the students. Before they all lose their marbles.” The cornflower-blue unicorn twirled a hoof near her temple for emphasis. “I’m not the assistant principal, just a regular counselor!” Starlight corrected her indignantly. “But you’re mostly right—I can indeed write you an invitation.”

School of Friendship. Starlight’s Office

“Well, what did you find out?!” Starlight asked impatiently when a thoroughly exhausted Trixie practically collapsed into her office. “It was a full house!” the magician panted. “I haven’t performed like that in ages!” “What does your performance have to do with anything?!” Starlight brushed her off. “Tell me what you learned about Twilight!” “Well… I watched her while we were both having lunch in the cafeteria,” Trixie said thoughtfully. “Twilight was writing those squiggles again, this time on a napkin. After lunch, she just left it on the table, so I took it—here it is.” Trixie placed the napkin with more scribbles in front of Starlight: «よく言われるように　成功は最大の復讐なのです». “Oh! Just a sec!” Starlight’s horn glowed, and a pair of books appeared on the desk in front of her, which she promptly buried her nose in. “«Yoku iwa reru yō ni seikō wa saidai no fukushūna nodesu»,” she recited. “Which means: ‘As they say, success is the best revenge.’” “Not a bad saying, quite profound,” Trixie nodded sagely. Then she pulled out another piece of paper with scribbles: “Here’s more!” she declared proudly, tilting her cute little nose upward. Starlight examined the paper, where three crookedly drawn characters were written: 武士道. “Did Twilight write this too?” she asked her friend. “No!” Trixie flicked her tail. “I seized the moment and snuck into the princess’s office. There was a book on her desk with these squiggles on it. I copied them and brought them to you.” “I-I see,” Starlight drawled, flipping through the books again. “You’re even bolder than I thought!” Trixie proudly lifted her nose, basking in the praise. “Oh no!” Starlight recoiled from the dictionary. “This is «Bushido»!” “What?” Trixie raised her eyebrows in confusion. “Twilight has the code of the Neighponese warriors on her desk!” “So what?” Trixie didn’t get it. “Listen, I’ve been meaning to ask, what’s Twilight’s obsession with these Neighponese ponies? What’s so special about them?” “You don’t know?!” Starlight was shocked. “This was covered in school!” “Must’ve missed that lesson,” Trixie shrugged, keeping a poker face. “These ponies lived by a very strict warrior’s code—Bushido. The Neighponese were excellent warriors and even managed to intimidate their predator neighbors—the griffons and diamond dogs. They swore never to set foot on the Neighponese islands—that’s how much these ponies scared them! Their only mistake was attacking Equestria once. Celestia gave them a thorough lesson in why that was a bad idea. Since then, we’ve lived peacefully, avoiding unnecessary contact, only exchanging embassies occasionally.” “Oi, Starlight,” Trixie tapped her hoof on the table. “You were supposed to explain why Twilight’s so fixated on them!” “Because they’re experts in the art of revenge!” Starlight clarified, lightly stomping her hoof. “If you’re planning revenge, there’s no better example than the Neighponese!”

The Next Day. Sugarcube Corner

“She’s definitely up to something!” Starlight declared, blinking her red, sleep-deprived eyes. “Why do you think so?” Trixie asked, eyeing a delicious slice of cake with thick cream and a strawberry on top. “Yesterday, I noticed Twilight passing by my room way too often,” Starlight replied. “It was like she was waiting for me to fall asleep! She even came up to my door several times during the night!” “Really?!” Trixie was surprised. “Then who was prowling around my wagon all night?” “Are you talking about Twilight?” Pinkie Pie asked as she approached their table. “Actually, she spent all day and night yesterday just walking around me! And she kept smiling so smugly when she thought I wasn’t looking!” Trixie and Starlight exchanged glances, and then Starlight said: “Looks like we forgot about Pinkie. And that was a mistake—she was in on the prank too.” Just then, Twilight Sparkle rushed into Sugarcube Corner. She abruptly stopped when she saw the three mares sitting together at the table. “Hi, Twilight!” Pinkie Pie greeted her. “Something wrong?” “Huh? Uh… no! Everything’s fine!” the princess said. “I was just surprised to see you here. You were supposed to…” Cutting herself off mid-sentence, the princess snorted, then turned and galloped away.

The Next Day. Same Place

“No, girls! I can’t take this anymore!” Pinkie Pie wailed, rubbing her eyes and barely holding back a yawn. “Every time she runs into me, she acts all surprised and greets me so sweetly, like I’ve got some incurable disease!” “I hired a team to follow her all day yesterday,” Trixie announced. “Today, they gave me a full report on Twilight’s activities.” “And what’s in it?” Starlight asked. “Nothing!” Trixie spread her hooves. “Just a normal workday for a normal alicorn.” Trixie tossed the report onto the table, and Starlight eagerly dove into reading it. After a couple of minutes, she gave the crooked lines of the report a suspicious look and, staring at Trixie, asked: “Who exactly did you hire to follow Twilight?” “Huh?” Trixie looked up from her milkshake. “I hired the Cutie Mark Crusaders!” There was unmasked pride in the unicorn’s voice at how she’d handled the problem. “You… you really… Trixie, that wasn’t very smart!” Starlight said, tapping her hoof against her forehead for emphasis. “So you’re saying I’m dumb?! Why would you say that?!” Trixie was offended. “They did a great job!” “Aren’t you aware that the Cutie Mark Crusaders are practically Twilight’s personal students?! They learn all kinds of things from her every week! So think about it—would they really hand over anything that could incriminate their mentor?” Trixie reacted uncharacteristically. Instead of immediately defending her position, she just sighed mournfully, admitting her mistake. The other mares, echoing Trixie’s heavy sigh, silently focused on their breakfast.

A Week Later. Outside the Castle of Friendship

“Well, shall we go?” Starlight asked the others gloomily. They were clearly in no state to express their agreement clearly. Trixie was trembling all over, overreacting to every sound or movement, squinting her red, sleep-deprived eyes. Pinkie Pie’s coat had turned gray, her curly mane had straightened, and overall, the Party Pony looked nothing like herself, resembling more of a gray textbook example of melancholy and depression. Still, Starlight understood that they agreed. Starlight herself looked and felt about the same as her friends. The only thing keeping her from collapsing right there from sheer physical and mental exhaustion was her experience leading a fairly large settlement of ponies. But even she was finding it harder and harder to hold on, relying solely on sheer willpower. There was a small problem at the entrance—Trixie suddenly started resisting, refusing to step into what she saw as a trap disguised as the Castle of Friendship. While Starlight struggled to restrain her friend with her magic, Pinkie Pie was already snoozing right on the castle’s doorstep, looking like a gray rock. Starlight had to nudge her inside with her hooves, not too concerned about her friend’s well-being at this point. And so, in this state, they barged into Twilight’s office, where the alicorn was calmly sitting at her desk, writing another list. Twilight looked up in surprise at the disheveled group. Still, she managed to keep a straight face, with only her twitching ears betraying her. “Uh… girls, what happened to you?!” she asked. “That’s it, Twilight!” Starlight said resignedly, sitting down next to her collapsed friends. “We surrender! Just do whatever you’ve planned and let’s get this over with!” “But I haven’t planned anything,” Twilight said calmly. “Well, nothing beyond what I’ve already done.” “But how?!” Starlight exclaimed. “What about all those notes of yours?! The smug smiles and weird questions around us?! Your nighttime pacing outside my room and Pinkie and Trixie’s homes?! The surveillance using students from the School of Friendship?!” “I’ll admit to the notes and the smiles with weird questions,” Twilight nodded. “But I didn’t do anything else. You came up with the rest yourselves. And you’ve been torturing yourselves all week.” Starlight wanted to protest, but she had no energy left. Maybe she’d do it later, but now… now she just collapsed onto the floor, feeling her consciousness drift into the world of dreams, where she hadn’t properly been in a week.