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Act III:

"Hammer of the Gods"

Chapter Twelve:

"A Certain Look in the Eye and an Easy Smile"

Trixie smiled contently as she took another sip of her wine, setting down gracefully on the tremendous table in front of her. All around her sat dozens of adoring ponies, constantly showering her with praise and adulation. It was her first feast as All-Mother, and Trixie was ready to make it an occasion that no one in the kingdom was bound to forget.

"Speech! Speech!" Came the shouted request of someone Trixie couldn't see, their voice wild and ecstatic. Trixie smiled broadly.

"Oh, I am flattered," she said, blushing slightly. "But you all certainly wouldn't want to hear a speech from my humble mouth?" she asked, remaining seated. There was a loud cheer, and several raised glasses, all of them begging her for the same thing

"Speech! Speech!"

"Let the noble All-Mother speak!"

"Grace us with your voice, oh Silvertongue!"

Trixie couldn't help but feel her heart warm at the sound of her subjects practically begging her to speak. Before ponies feared her voice, now they thirsted for it.

"It seems they will not rest until you've regaled them with a speech," Cadence said, leaning in slightly from her spot next to Trixie.

"It seems so, yes," Trixie replied. Cadence smiled.

"Then do so. Don't rob them of your words." she insisted, gently beckoning for Trixie to stand. Trixie rolled her eyes.

"Oh very well then," she stood up, waving her hoof to silence them, still smiling. The crowd of ponies all went silent, looking towards Trixie as if she were made of diamonds. Trixie bowed her head slightly, raising her glass.

"It seems that my humble subjects wish to hear me, your loving and most gracious All-Mother, say something to you all," Trixie began, her chest swelling slightly. Trixie felt a surge of pride run through her at the sight such adoration. "Well then, if I may be so bold..." She cleared her throat slightly, quickly formulating a speech in her mind.

"Most noble and upright subjects, today is a day of new beginnings," she said, motioning towards everyone at the table. "And as such, we are tasked to remember those who brought us to this new beginning, namely my dearest mother and sister," she continued, motioning towards the two strangely empty chairs to her right. Trixie furrowed her brow slightly. She could have sworn they were there a moment ago. However, she was quick to remember the situation that had brought her to the throne, so she bowed her head slightly. "Who are sadly not here with us at this time," she added, noting that no one seemed to notice her pause. "But, I am assured that if they were here now, and eating here among us, my mother and sister would be just as exuberant and joyful as we are now." she continued, quickly restoring the large smile to her face.

"Trixie," Came a deep, booming voice. Trixie's eyes and ears darted about, looking for the source of the interruption. It sounded as if it came from the end of the table; she squinted then arched an eyebrow when she saw the large, empty chair sitting at the end. She was positive it hadn't been there before. She felt a hoof on her shoulder. She turned to see Cadence looking towards her with concern.

"Trixie are you alright? You look a little pale." she said, motioning towards Trixie's coat. Trixie looked down to see that, indeed, she looked noticeably paler. Trixie shook her head.

"No I'm fine, just a little bit of jitters." she answered, clearing her throat again and attempting to address her audience again. However, when she turned back to the table, it was completely bare, with no chairs except for the large one at the very end.

Where has everypony gone? She thought and turned to ask Cadence but her chair was empty as well. A cold wind suddenly blasted through the dining room, causing the chandeliers above to rattle and swing. Trixie felt every hair on her body rear up and shiver and she could feel her heart thudding in her mouth.

"TRIXIE." The voice thundered and Trixie felt it like a blow to her face. She felt her head turn back toward the end of the table, despite everything in her screaming not to look, and as her eyes settled on the far end of the table she felt her heart seize.

Clad in armor that seemed to have been forged out of the sun itself Trixie was lavender colored alicorn stallion with matching golden eyes leveled directly at her own. She instantly recognized the pony she had been told was her father--Siegfried the Glorious.

But...Siegfried is dead.

But she couldn't deny the feeling of the phantom's eyes boring into her and the sonorous tone when he spoke.

"Trixie Silvertongue, you have betrayed me."

"Wh-whatever could you mean F-father?" Trixie stammered, shocked that she could manage to respond.

"You know exactly of which I speak," He said, his brows lowering like thunderheads over his flashing eyes. Trixie found herself shaking her head in confusion.

"No Father, I-I do not," she said, her voice so soft she didn't think he could hear her. The phantom's gaze seemed to only grow more piercing at this and his wings flaring behind him, pitch like a vulture's.

"You allowed the one who took my life to go free," he boomed, "The very one who cast my spirit into the Dark Realm and forced it to wander aimlessly until I have been avenged."

"What are you talking about?"

"I speak of Chrysalis Penumbmaden, High Queen of Hekkerheim and feaster on the souls of innocents," The phantom declared and his voice made the whole room shudder. "For you stood within grasp of her and yet you did not strike her down like a true Borrson! You instead attempted to placate with her, bargain your way to a selfish freedom, paying no heed to the anguished cries of my soul!" He reared his head back and his eyes seemed to spew licks of fire. "You defiled my memory for thinking that that beast could be reasoned with!"

Trixie shook her head wildly as if trying to free herself from some invisible bridle. "No, no, no. I had to stop Rainbow Dash, it was going to cause war!"

"Then she was the only one who had the strength of will and the honor to avenge me you faithless, monster-bearing harlot!" The phantom spat out a mouthful of brimstone and it hit Trixie full in the face.

"No, no no! I was the only one who dared think that Rainbow's plan as foolish and empty headed as it proved to be! I was in the right! And you're not my father!" She cried and shot a blast of magic towards him. It struck him, evaporating like water droplets in an inferno, and he remained unmoved and untouched.

"I am no illusion, child. Come and see." The ghost's voice dropping into an icy drone, and Trixie found herself walking towards him, her legs seemingly lifting and falling without her consent. As much as her instinct insisted that she flee, she ended up standing directly in front of him, the table having mysteriously vanished. The ghost then reached a hoof towards her.

"Touch me and see that I am real," it said and Trixie balked, finally regaining come control of her body.

"NO! Leave me be!" She hissed, taking a step back. The ghost's eyes narrowed and he seemed to suddenly grow deathly pale. Trixie was afraid he would attack her but instead she watched in horror as two punctures materialized in the ghost's throat and began to pour blood like a fountain.

"This is your work, my child," it stated simply, as it fell towards her and opening its arms as if trying to draw her into an embrace. Trixie tried to duck but felt the phantoms arms wrap around her like a vice, pulling her in like a vacuum.

She then felt a disturbingly familiar icy sensation spread through her body and she looked on in blind panic as her blue coat caught fire in glowing green flames and burned away to reveal the leathery black coat underneath. She tried to scream, but instead was greeted by a terrifying silence from her as another pair of hooves, legs filled with holes covered her mouth.

The ghost in front of her mirrored her transformation, becoming the wraith form of Chrysalis. Her emerald eyes burning with malicious glee as she ran her tongue along her fangs, which dripped with blood and dark green venom. Chrysalis leaned in close to Trixie's ear, her breath carrying the stench of blood and rotting flesh.

"Long live the queen," she hissed, before Trixie felt a searing pain in her neck and spread down her entire body. She heard a piercing screech and it knew it was hers.

Then everything went black.

///////////////////////////////

Trixie lunged up in her bed, her horn flaring, igniting all the candles in the room so it was bathed in a deep golden glow. Despite all the fire in the room she was shivering in a cold sweat as she stumbled out of bed and directly to her mirror.

She let out a gasp of relief to see that she was still in her blue-coated form, mussed and lathered. She swallowed; sitting down to allow her heart rate to slow from the gallop it was currently beating at.

"Calm down, calm down. It was nothing more than a nightmare," she whispered to herself, running a hoof through her mane, now relishing the feeling of its smooth and well manicured texture. She took a shaky breath, her heart rate finally down to an even pace. A sharp knock at the door however, caused it to spike and she froze, her eyes darting to the door fearfully.

"Your Highness, are you alright?" Came the voice of what Trixie assumed was a guard. "We heard a scream."

Trixie swallowed again, slowly standing to her hooves and shakily walking towards the door. She cracked the door open enough for her to peek through. "I'm fine, it was only a night terror."

She could see the guard outside nod tersely. "Very well then, Your Highness," he said, before turning away and trotting off. Trixie closed her door carefully, being sure to lock it and enchant it as always, but her heart flip flopped when she saw her magic glow green instead of blue.

She sat down, biting down on her lip until she tasted blood. How long could she keep up this illusion before someone else noticed? How long before someone noticed her true form?

No! she thought, thrashing her head back and forth. I can't have that happen. I will not let it happened. After all, only the Aunties and Celestia knows of my parentage.

A flash of Chrysalis, smiling savagely, overtook Trixie's mind. It was quickly followed by the ghost of her father, looming at the end of the table.

Betrayed.

No. I'm no traitor. I am the daughter of Celestia, not some horrid, insectoid spawn of an incubus. I am the beautiful queen of a beautiful and proud nation, graced with the title of goddess, not some horrid creature that lurked in shadow, forced to scrounge off the emotional life force of others. I am better than that. I am_better _than them.

She looked in the mirror and felt a smile pulling at her lips.

Yes, she thought as the smile spread across her face. I am better. I will have my victory over those beasts.

///////////////////////////////

Luna stood vigilantly at her station at the seat of the Bifrost. Her ears swiveled, catching every sound, from the loudest clap of thunder in Niflheim to the sound of a fly landing on a blade of grass in Midgard. Her eyes scanned the horizon, occasionally focusing on a random world, everything in perfect focus, even to the minute detail.

The sound of hoofsteps behind her caused her to focus her attention on the blue unicorn standing behind her.

"Best beloved Beatrix," she said, turning slowly to face Trixie. She felt her heart sink slightly at the sight of her wielding Gungnir. Her expression thinned slightly.

"I see Cadence has granted you the position of All-Mother," she stated simply, eyes narrowing. Trixie nodded, but Luna could see that she carried herself with trepidation, as if any excess movement might cause her harm.

"Yes she has, Dear Auntie. If but only until Mother awakens from The Slumber," Trixie replied, and Luna could see her rapidly gain confidence. Luna nodded, still keeping her eyes fixed on Trixie.

"Might I ask what you have need of, best beloved?" Luna asked, knowing that unless Trixie spoke, she could never know what went on in the labyrinthine mind of the smaller unicorn. Trixie seemed to know this as well as she lifted her head higher.

"I, All-Mother Trixie, request safe passage to Hekkerhiem, for I have business with their Queen," Trixie said in a pristine, authoritative voice. Luna narrowed her eyes and could see Trixie shift ever so slightly so her eyes never quite fully met Luna's.

"Why, might I ask, do you wish to venture to such an inhospitable environment as Hekkerheim. The deeds that you and Rainbow Dash committed shall not be as easily remedied as you may believe."

Trixie, surprisingly, nodded. "I know that Auntie, but I can at least try and heal any wounds Rainbow might have created, before they grow infected and spread to all the realms." Trixie smiled smoothly which only made Luna's eyes narrow even more. Trixie never wasted such a charming smile on affection or sentimentality. Despite this observation, Luna stepped aside.

"As you wish, All-Mother," she said, putting special emphasis on the last two words. An expression of surprise rippled beneath Trixie's smile but she maintained her composure, tipping her head and walking past Luna with her head raised high.

"As it should be," Luna could hear her hiss under her breath. Without saying a word, Luna stepped up to the center of the observatory, lifting her sword and placing it inside the chamber. The massive system of mechanics and gears roared to life, igniting the holographic map system of Yggdrasil, which sprouted from Luna's sword in a brilliant torrent of sparks.

"Remember," Luna said, eying Trixie severely. "That what you do is a great risk, to both Asgard, and all the realms. Tread with caution, for what you do may bring about the end of us all."

She saw Trixie noticeably shift her weight at this and nod rapidly. "I understand. Farewell."

And with that, Trixie allowed the Bifrost to pull her into its gravitational pull, disappearing in a flicker of light. Luna stood there for a moment, before calmly extracting her sword from the Bifrost, causing the glowing hologram to die away and the machine to wind to a halt. Without saying a word, she turned her gaze towards Hekkerhiem. Something in Trixie's mannerisms was amiss, and Luna was not about to let her walk into that serpent's den without a sentry.

///////////////////////////////

Trixie landed exactly where she had with Rainbow Dash and the Warriors three days earlier, on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the vast wasteland of the planet. She could feel the strong ambient magic of the area affect her body and quickly cast a masking spell, restoring her body to it's conventional blue coated form and knowing full well that Luna was most likely watching her. She had gone out of her way not to try and interfere with Luna's mind, as it would have only set off untold alarm bells in the alicorn. To suddenly vanish from her sight might be alarming as well, but she could most likely excuse it as the powerful hexes that littered Hekkerheim. She would worry about it later.

The sound of some ancient structure collapsing in the distance caught Trixie's attention and she started to walk briskly. She could already sense that she was being watched by dozens, if not hundreds, of Changelings. Considering she had not yet been assaulted, she supposed she could deem the opening of this mission a success.

///////////////////////////////

Chrysalis had tracked the invader for quite some time and had already formulated a plan to dispatch her. The sound of hoofsteps came to her ears and she looked to the entrance of the bedraggled throne room. Completely alone and looking noticeably reserved, was the blue unicorn that Chrysalis recognized as the sister of the Rainbow Dash. Unlike last time, where the pony had been erratic and her thoughts simple to read, when Chrysalis attempted to probe the unicorn this time she was greeted by a thick wall of spells and enchantments. Chrysalis couldn't help but smile grimly. This one obviously wanted Chrysalis to hear expressly what it chose and nothing more.

"Good evening, Princess Siegmaden," Chrysalis said, feeling no small satisfaction at the unicorn's reaction, which was a brief shudder before rapidly returning to its previous coolness. Chrysalis felt her confidence weaken somewhat. The father ploy hadn't been nearly as effective as she had hoped. If it had been that wild maned pegasus, Chrysalis would have most likely have been greeted by a hammer to her skull.

"Why are you here?" She demanded, amplifying her voice so it reverberated throughout the room. She hoped that while it was overwhelmed with her display the pony might be distracted enough to probe. However, the unicorn seemed unfazed.

"I, Trixie Celestiamaden, wish to discuss a proposal that may benefit the both of us," the unicorn declared, steadfastly poised.

Chrysalis raised an eyebrow. Two miscalculations in less than two moments; this was vexing.

"Is that so?" She stood, lifting herself to her full height.

"It is. And before you order your guards to strike me down, I first ask that you hear me out in full, and then make a decision." The unicorn's voice was disgustingly confident and she even took two steps towards the throne.

Yet Chrysalis felt a smile spread across her face. This filly was...clever.

Chrysalis mentally signaled all her guards to stand down but to remain beside the entrance and exits. She sat down slowly, keeping her eyes fixed on Trixie. "You have my attention, filly. Continue."

The unicorn nodded as if this response had been expected. "Thank you, Majesty. It would be a shame for you to accidentally kill your greatest ally, the one who has shown you the secret paths out of sight of the Sentinel."

Chrysalis raised her eyebrows. "So I am correct in assuming that it was you who allowed us to infiltrate Celestia's Weapon's Vault?"

The unicorn nodded again but did not elaborate further.

Chrysalis narrowed her gaze; she didn't like these constant pauses, as if she were the one negotiating. "Would it be too...intrusive of me to inquire why a Princess of the Realms would commit such a massive breach of confidence and security?"

The unicorn smiled brightly. "Oh, I had nothing more to gain then a good jest. A funny little way to draw the spotlight from my sister's gaudy little graduation." The unicorn's voice chimed like bells but there was a noticeably sour undercurrent.

Chrysalis let out a dark chuckle. "Oh, is that so? Seems a rather petty and foalish prank. You don't appreciate being the spare second, do you?" She replicated the unicorn's previous smile flawlessly: a smooth spread of the lips before showing all her glittering teeth.

However, instead of reacting in agitation as most did to such changeling tricks, the unicorn simply scoffed. "Oh you are too swift to judge. I bare no envy towards my sister; I simply deem her to be a negligent and egocentric fool unfit for a throne that supervises the welfare of the Nine Realms. "

"Hmmm, perhaps I was too hasty. This sounds more akin to pure malice," Chrysalis said smugly, leaning back in her seat. "But we have managed to lose sight of the true purpose of your call. You said you had a proposal--whatever could you have in mind?"

"My proposal is this," The unicorn began smartly, slowly pacing back and forth before the throne. "I shall allow you secret entrance into Asgard, where my mother currently resides within the depths of The Slumber, and you shall be granted your deepest desire: the right to slay her in her own bed."

Chrysalis couldn't help herself: her eyes practically bulged out of her skull. "What?"

"I believe you heard me the first time, Majesty."

Chrysalis leaned forward, still shocked at the frankness of this unicorn. "You would slay your own mother, the mare who gave unto you your life's breath, to secure your place on the throne?"

"I don't believe matricide is an unfamiliar notion to your customs." The unicorn replied nonchalantly.

"But wholly alien to yours. Borrson's are notorious for their wretched bondage to their sovereigns. Your grandfather refused to dispose of his own raving and despising father on this pathetic conviction."

"Perhaps I am not as wretched or pathetic as my ancestors."

"We are our ancestors, that is the whole purpose of a monarchy, that the Divine Insight passes from parent to child."

The unicorn simply rolled her eyes slightly, scoffing. "This is what your monarchy might exemplify, but ours is more...quality based."

Chrysalis was tempted to lash out in vindication of her ancestors but felt the foolishness of being baited by a filly in a debate over divine blood rule or individual character sovereignty would be the considerably more debasing alternative. She leaned forward in her throne and set her jaw resolutely.

"What have I, a treacherous Penumson, have to gain for paving your path to the sacred Borrson throne?" She said, her voice becoming increasingly menacing as she enhanced the overlapping voices for added effect.

The unicorn gave a nod, maddeningly unfazed. "I only solicit this favor of you because I have something to exchange for your services. Something incredibly vital."

Chrysalis felt something in her leap and plunge. "What might that be?" She asked, making certain to keep her voice smooth and even as oil inspite of her frustrations.

"Den Hjerte Eske," The unicorn stated simply. Chrysalis said nothing, instead falling back in her chair, depending on the shadows to hide the emotion in her expression. Memories of the power and strength the Penumsons once wielded and wrecked, the living heart of the Dread Son enclosed in the Sacred Coffer. The thoughts sent pulses of yearning through her being and it took a long moment before she was composed enough to speak again.

"How did you come by this knowledge?" She said slowly, her voice stripped of all enhancement or affectation, for the first time in her life Chrysalis spoke honestly. The pony laughed and somehow it's melodic and pleasant quality made Chrysalis despite it all the more.

"I have my ways but that is not your concern I think. So I ask: do you accept my request, Majesty? I also promise in addition that as soon as you have fulfilled your part of the bargain, I will be sure on the fulfillment of mine to allow you to restore your mighty kingdom to all its..." She paused, taking a moment to glance about the ruins of the throne room. "Former glory. With no interference or objection."

Chrysalis lingered. It was far too forthright and charitable; there had to be some veiled clause, a hidden ploy that would wrench the conditions against her. But even Chrysalis the Bloodied, with all her (in)famous force of will and fortitude that had kept the remnants of her kingdom from spiraling into bloody anarchy after the rout of her kin, could not resist the pure, lusting allure of that devastating supremacy under her control. To have it in her hooves once again, to bathe and feed of the blood of her enemies' once more...nothing she had ever experienced could compare to that slivering chance of such fulfillment.

Gradually, a malevolent smile stretched across her slender face and she allowed her fangs to bare, glisten in the muted, sputtering torchlight.

"I...accept. But I am obliged to advise you, my clever filly, if you dare attempt to deceive or cheat me, I will personally flay the skin off your bones and feed your carcass to my servants. Are we clear?"

The pony inclined her head but Chrysalis still caught the glint of a smile. "Crystal."

///////////////////////////////

Trixie stepped out of the wormhole, pausing to shake clean of any space dust or filth from Hekkerhiem that might have clung to her. As she straightened out her cloths, she noticed Luna's gaze fixed on her. Trixie turned towards Luna, looking directly into the alicorn's eyes.

"Auntie, you look ill at ease," she said in the most concerned tone she could muster.

Luna's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "I must confess, Best Beloved, when you set out for Hekkerhiem I affixed my gaze on you out of concern for your wellbeing as you wandered unguarded through the land of our enemies. Yet I saw nothing, it was as if you were hidden from my gaze, much like the Changelings who invaded this realm in recent days."

Luna's words and gaze was already suspicious but her voice maintained the calculating tranquility she always exuded. For as long as Trixie could remember--and that was a long time indeed--she had been unnerved by her grand aunt, so steadfast and unfathomable, the only being in the whole of the Realms that Trixie could not read. She had long believed that this stern exterior made Luna unassailable but Trixie had been quick to learn that the most fortified souls usually guarded the greatest weakness. And right now, Trixie was wondering how Celestia could have chosen such a susceptible creature to be her first line of defense.

So, even with Luna's penetrating gaze bearing down on her, Trixie could barely suppress a smile. She hadn't smiled so often in some time.

"Really?" She said, walking around Luna in a wide circle so the alicorn had to turn her own head to keep their gazes fixed. "Are you certain of this? It seems a curious phenomenon that you should be blinded twice in three days. Perhaps your abilities have waned after so many millennia of unrelenting service. Or perhaps this has been a recurring issue and only now that I am All-Mother I am made aware of it?"

"Or perhaps you were attempting to cloak your actions from me, something that you have done numerous times in the recent past." Luna responded, her voice carrying the slightest touch of pointed criticism.

Trixie came to a halt beside the doors that lead out of the observatory. "Auntie Luna, might I ask you a question?" she said, turning to gaze outward towards the ocean just outside.

"You may." Came Luna's response.

"Did my mother at any point in her reign ever fear you?" Trixie asked, turning back to look Luna in the eye.

Luna's brow furrowed. "She is both my sister and my queen and having sworn to uphold my post as Sentinel I am bound by honor to obey her every command. She has no need to fear me."

Trixie shook her head, clicking her tongue like a mother to a silly child. "Oh Auntie dearest, we both know that's not the whole truth. We both know that for a brief time Mother did fear you and the power you wielded willingly. But you were called by another name then, now what was it?" Trixie put her hoof to her chin, making a show of contemplation. "I can't seem to remember it...do you remember it, Auntie?"

Luna's whole body had become taut like a spring, power virtually humming beneath rigid restrain. "That was the past," she said gradually as if she had to actively coherence the words into submission before saying them. "And I have been forgiven for my trespasses."

Trixie nodded. "Ah forgiveness, the flimsy proxy for when it is impossible to atone for your offenses."

"You possess your own points of reference for that, I am certain." Luna was quick to respond.

"Do you remember your name then or has forgiveness also imposed forgetfulness?" Trixie asked, her voice pointed and tight.

Luna stared at her for a lingering, charged moment and in her eyes was the closest expression to a glare Trixie had ever seen her wear. Trixie returned the favor with a stare of her own, a subtle smile on her lips. But like Trixie predicted, Luna relented, her power noticeably fading, and her gaze sinking to the floor. "Nightmare Moon."

Trixie nodded. "Ahhh, I remember now. Her name is still spoken when parents wish to threaten a disobedient child, is it not? She was a fearsome monster, wasn't she?"

Luna said nothing.

"But she's quite gone now, am I right Auntie?"

"Yes."

"And since I am now All-Mother am I correct in assuming that you are now bound to my commands?"

"Yes."

"Yes, what?"

Luna looked up again but this time her gaze was hollow, and lacking in any conviction in what she said. "Yes...All-Mother."

"Good," Trixie said brightly, shattering the dark and oppressive atmosphere. "Then, as your All-Mother, I command that you shall keep the Bifrost closed off entirely and let no one enter and depart until expressly allowed by myself. Understood?"

Luna hesitated and Trixie considered that was the closest her Aunt would ever get to rebellion. Finally, she inclined her head to Trixie. "As you wish, All-Mother."

Trixie spun on her heels and exited the observatory, fully content with her victory. She did not need to add niceties to her words, much less to a bondservant. She was the All-Mother and therefore the one in control.

Besides, she thought, I have more pressing needs to attend to.