https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A2MqvEnDFuxTYqtq0GqCP6vRdQF2c5RE8OEVE2KPVYY/edit?hl=en_US&authkey=CPGRkdMB I Won’t See You Tonight By CoffeeGrunt Many ponies see Canterlot as a jewel in Celestia’s crown. A beautiful city where anypony can get rich quick, and achieve fame and fortune. However for there to be the rich, there must always be the poor. While the middle and upper class had settled on the top of the glorious mountain that Canterlot had been founded on, the bulk of it’s citizenry lived in the Cabbage Patch, as it came to be called. The district lived under the literal shadow of the Canterlot palaces, and were often rebuked as an eyesore by the upper class that looked down upon them. There ponies didn’t live for the future, or dwell on the past. There was only the day ahead, and for many who lived without the ambitions and stress that money and success brought, it was a surprisingly free existence. It was in the slightly higher area of this mountainside district that a small family lived. A mother that worked all hours to feed her two beloved fillies, one had a light blue coat with a silvery mane and tail, barely more than a foal, she was always with her sister, a tween mare with a resplendent ruby-red coat, accentuated by her golden mane and cutie mark. She was born to be a star, the cutie mark - the masks of Tragedy and Comedy - proved this. Each looked the chalk to the other’s cheese, but in truth, they were incredibly alike in spirit. However, in the Cabbage Patch, one rarely achieved the goal in life they had. Cassandra, the ruby-red drama aspirant often found herself hustling poker games to feed the family, her mother’s wages often being very poor. It was something she had always tried to teach to her little sister, the little tricks only a dramatist could pull. Trixie, the younger blue filly, had watched her sister play many times. It was enthralling to her, to see her sister command games, only showing the emotions she wanted, manipulating the other ponies into folding or bidding high at her will. With just the right sly smile or shy downward look, she could control a table of stallions and swindle them for all they had. This being the Cabbage Patch, she rarely won noticeable amounts from her equally poor competitors - but she always got enough to buy her sister a treat on the way home. Trixie naturally never saw Cassandra’s hand though. Whenever she asked to sit next to her big sister while she played, Cassandra would always say, “But you can’t keep that lovely grin from your face, and then they won’t need to watch mine if they look at yours.” “But I promise I’ll keep my face extra-straight, I won’t smile or nothing!” Trixie would shoot her sister her best pouted lips and foal-eyes combo. Cassandra would always smile and say, “Well,but if you lose, we’re not getting apple turnovers on the way home!” This normally managed to stop her sister’s begging, but in truth, Cassandra enjoyed having someone close who didn’t vilify her for her gambling abilities. It was between such games and sleep that Cassandra taught her sister everything she knew. From how to pull a card from your hoof, to how to make people believe exactly what you say. “It’s all about confidence, Trix. You say it loud and proud, and ponies believe you.” Trixie would always have the cutest little face when she was thinking, or so Cassandra always told her. “One day I know, you’ll find your ability, then we can work together, you and I. I promise, you can be my wingfilly on the table, and we’ll go home with twice as much apple treats as we do now.” Trixie’s eyes expanded in awe as she thought of the delicious desserts that being like her sister could bring. She practiced every day, and having the advantage of magic over her sister, she learned fast. She could magic flowers from out of the dirt, create little firework displays and even change the picture on a card, although Cassandra told her if the ponies found out about that they’d have some very angry gamblers at their door. Cassandra would always get Trixie to throw little shows for her, her silver-maned sister tottering on a row of milk crates, doing all sorts of tricks for the sound of her sister’s laughter and applause ringing through the air. It made Trixie happy to see Cassandra enjoying herself, she’d never tell her, but Trixie had heard her at night when she was meant to be asleep. She was always crying – and she muttered about Trixie and mum. It was after one such display that Cassandra tucked Trixie into her bed, then retired to her own. She smiled, her little sister had put quite the display on today, managing to get the hang of the firework writing spell. She hadn’t the heart to tell her, but she’d been unable to make out the words until Trixie had screamed them out to her, throwing herself at Cassandra with her tiny little forelegs trying to wrap around her stomach. “I love you sis.” A tear welled in Cassandra’s eyes, Trixie was the only one who appreciated her as an artist, and not the con variety. The little filly even saw her poker hustling as amazing feats. She felt her cheeks getting red as she thought of her shame, hustling other ponies for their money. Knowing they had families to feed. How could she ever live this life with a high heart? She looked across at her baby sister, and realised that she’d swindle the whole town for every bit they had, if it made the little filly smile just once. She lapsed into sleep, the comfort of her bed taking her to grand halls, and dreams of performances at the Canterlot Bridleway theatres. There was always hope in her heart, they could always escape the ties of their birthplace somehow. Trixie awoke to the sound of pacing hoofsteps on the wooden floorboards. It was early morning, Celestia’s sun just beginning to peek over the distant skyline of Manehatten. Trixie sat up more comfortably and coughed a little to clear her throat. Her sister’s head snapped round in her direction and she ran over to her, squeezing her tight in her forelegs. Trixie was confused, but even her sister’s beautiful acting abilities couldn’t hide that something was horribly wrong. “Sis...what’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Cassandra choked on her tears, trying to get the words out. “It...it’s mother. Sh-she’s been...found by the guards Trix. She’s...” Cassandra couldn’t bring the words out from her own mouth, but she saw the understanding in Trixie’s eyes. It diffused into the tears that now rolled down her face. The two sisters embraced and comforted each other for the longest time, struggling with the loss of the mare that had always provided for them. * * * * * * Her mother’s funeral. The house being repossessed. Collecting her meagre belongings and watching a new family trying out her bedroom. The guards chasing them. Running from the adoption agency. Abandoned and left on the streets. Her life turned around faster than she could process. Trixie and Cassandra huddled round the makeshift fire for warmth. They’d found a good spot tonight, there were no other ponies to butt in on their heat, and they were free to let their emotions show. Both sister’s resplendent manes and coats were now grimy and matted. Gambling clubs had stopped letting Cassandra in due to her composure. “Keeping out the scum,” Trixie had heard. Cassandra had walked away, head down, dirty-gold mane trailing the floor. She made no pretence to hiding her tears this time, neither sister did. It was the two of them against Canterlot, and they were heavily outnumbered. However hope always burned in the heart of the little blue filly. She couldn’t let the sister that had always looked after her down, so she used her talents to get them money. Standing on crates in crowded streets, she would perform her tricks, making flowers appear and handing them to passing ponies. Little card tricks to get giggles from mares, that muttered afterwards about a filly so young performing on the streets. Small money, but enough for some food in their bellies. Cassandra joined her sister on their makeshift stages, helping her perform tricks, gathering the audiences and bringing them to her. The sisters of sleight-of-hoof soon had the attention of whole crowds on them. Cassandra was so proud of her little sister at this point, her magical abilities were amazing, and she never failed to tell her. Even Cassandra, after seeing the shows five times a day, was still enthralled by the acts her sister put on. They were soon living in a small apartment together. Happier times came as the memories of the bad passed, Cassandra also got her lucky break. A certain pony that ran the local theatre had seen her acting, Trixie had begun to use her as the “lovely assistant.” The colt asked her to audition for his newest show, a play based on the famous MacHoof. She auditioned for the part of Lady MacHoof straight away, and got in without a hitch. It was when she reported this to Trixie, however, that the little filly realised what this meant. “So, we’re not gunna perform together anymore?” Trixie seemed downcast with the idea, her sister had always been there - they had always worked together ever since the start. Cassandra simply smiled, “You didn’t think I’d forget about my little sister, did you? I’m sorry I couldn’t get you a part, they already have a mare for special effects whose been in the business for years there. Buut!” She added, seeing the look on her sister’s face deteriorate further, “ I did get them to reserve you a seat each night, front-and-centre. Think about it, now I’ve got into the theatre, I can help you get on stage. Performing for crowds of hundreds who will come specially just to see you!” “You really think that ponies’ll come to see my show big sis? I’m still awfully outta practice.” Cassandra had an inward chuckle at her sister's modesty – she was ahead of her years in magical ability – to say the very least. “I know it Trixie. You’re amazing, the best at magic in the whole land of Equestria. You just need to perform, and they will come. You’ll be able to see me backstage after every play. And I want your honest opinions on what you thought about my acting!” Trixie seemed appeased as she stared out of the window, imagining the droves of ponies coming to see her perform her magical feats. She fell asleep with the first hope for the future she had held for a long time, its warmth warding off the cold night that Celestia had brought forth. * * * * * * Six months later, Cassandra’s wisdom had held. The special effects artist at the theatre had retired after her thirty years of service, and Cassandra had pulled every string she could grab to get Trixie into the position. It was a backstage...or technically, above stage position. She would sit in the rafters out of the audience’s view and work her magic - lightning bolts arcing their way across the stage in a way so realistic that the actors themselves jumped back in fear of them - of course making the whole performance much more believable. She conjured false lighting to give the feeling of a sunset, and every other effect imaginable. Cassandra had to give Trixie credit, she was barely a mare and already outstripping an elderly that had been in the business for three decades. They were finally together again. The two sisters working their magic on the audience. Cassandra down below, beautiful poise and emotion in every part she played, from Cleoponytra to Hippolyta, it was as if she invented the roles for herself. Trixie from above with her breathtaking displays of magic. Soon it was the case that playwrights were calling for Cassandra - asking her to headline their new scripts. Cassandra demanded that Trixie work the effects on each play, and the playwrights would simply froth with glee at the prospect, the little mare’s magical ability was also becoming widely known. Soon they had moved from their old apartment to a large house on the outskirts of the Cabbage Patch. It was one faithful day, after a performance of A Midsummer Mare’s Dream that the two sisters found themselves discussing their plans on where to move next, the money simply rolling in their door. “Well, I think we have enough money...and with our CVs, we could definitely get work up there.” Trixie frowned, “But it’s so different up there sis. They’re all stuffy and high-class , what if we’re not good enough?” “We can’t not be Trix,” Cassandra put a foreleg around her sister, “Look at the shows we put on. Your magic lighting up the stage, bringing awe into people’s hearts, and my acting bringing the story into their minds. We can’t be beaten, you and I. The Poised and Beautiful Cassandra, and the Great and Powerful Trixie! Equestria will fall down at our feet!” Cassandra broke out into a trademark actress’ pose, arms reaching skyward, head flung back, embracing the future as it roared to her. Finally, it was her future, her dream, and the last family member she had would be with her all the way. “The...Great and Powerful...Trixie,” the words seemed to roll off her tongue so easily, it felt so, right. “The Great and Powerful Trixie! I love it!” Cassandra looked into her exuberant eyes. “Oh thank Celestia, otherwise we’d have to reprint those poste-oops.” She put her hooves across her mouth, pretending she’d said something she shouldn’t have, and snuck her sister a sly grin. Trixie’s exuberance exploded. “What poster? Tell me, tell me, tell me!” Cassandra gave her sister a warm smile and pulled a roll of parchment from her saddle bag. Handing it to Trixie, she watched her unroll it in front of her. The image was of a light-blue pony standing on a cloud, lightning arced from her hooves to the edges of the page, and the caption below read: The Great and Powerful Trixie Mare of mystery, see her at the Bridleway theatre: July 7th 8PM “It’s a real shame. I’m going to have to find a new Special effects artist, and it’s hard to find a good one around these days. It’ll be a shame that we can’t perform together sis, but I’d love to see you take centre-stage and spread your wings.” Trixie threw herself at Cassandra, tears of complete joy rolling down her cheek. She’d be a star, glowing brighter than those on Celestia’s canvas itself. All because of her sister. “Oh Trix, don’t think that a silly piece of parchment is all you’re getting!” She grinned as Trixie’s head shot up and her eyes widened, as if to say, “More?!” Cassandra reached under the bed and procured a parcel - hidden on the underneath of the mattress. She passed it to Trixie, who tore it open in earnest. It was a beautiful silk cloak, a purple backdrop with a canvas of stars dotted all over. It clipped round her neck with an expensive looking diamond clasp. There was a matching hat too, tall and soft, like the old wizards used to wear. Trixie ran to the mirror, posing and flashing her magic across the room. Now she looked Great, now she felt Powerful. The world was her oyster, ready to be shocked and awed. Her name would be known Equestria-wide! * * * * * * Trixie’s heart pounded, peeking through the curtains did nothing to alleviate her stage fright. The seats were packed, she scanned the crowd. So many ponies of all kinds were spread in front of her, all of them waiting for her performance. Cassandra hadn’t been able to make it, and her absence only made Trixie more tense. She didn’t blame her, Cassandra had landed a spot at the greatest theatre on the Canterlot main street, the Pony’s Chinese Theatre. Trixie felt pride for her sister, the two of them would be stars - one day performing for Celestia herself, and the royal court! A knock at the door snapped her out of her thoughts. No, she didn’t want distractions, it could wait. But now, she had to focus on the show. She ran through the spells, her lines, sequences and tricks. So much for a showmare to forget, but she didn’t doubt herself. Cassandra was right, she really was Great and Powerful. She smiled, then another knock at the door broke her ego-massaging session. A timid voice came from beyond the room, “Excuse me Miss Trixie. I need to come in.” Trixie huffed then swung the door open with her horn. She turned her actress’ chair towards the Stage Manager. He was a timid pony, an air of incompetence she had found slightly worrying hung around him, and now he seemed to have positively lost it. He was shivering as he spoke to her. “I-i I’m afraid we’ve received a message from the guards. It's your sister...there’s been an...accident.” Trixie’s heart leapt into her mouth. “What kind of accident? Is it serious? Where is she?!” Pinning her fore-hooves to the Stage Manager's chest, she interrogated him for everything he knew. The stage manager only knew an answer for the last question, “St Haltergate’s hospital...the guards didn’t say much else.” Trixie felt a dilemma in her heart. “Stay, and become a star. Or go, and ensure her sister's safety.” She steeled her thoughts. They’d come too far to back out now, there was only one option Trixie would ever consider picking at that moment. She ran down the wards, finding a nurse, she grabbed her, interrogating her for her sister’s whereabouts. Receiving her answer, she galloped into the Intensive Care Unit. Darting around nurses, doctors and janitors all going about their life saving duties. Only one thought on her head, ward 7, and the pony within. The numbers flew by, five, six, she burst through door – panting as her run caught up with her lungs. Cassandra lay under a blanket, fully clothed in a hospital gown. She beckoned Trixie with her head, and Trixie obliged. Trixie couldn’t hide her emotions though; Cassandra was a mess, her mane was matted, her eyes droopy, and her voice had lost it’s actress’ clarity that she had always enjoyed hearing. Trixie threw her forelegs around her, and Cassandra weakly tried to reciprocate. Trixie looked into her eyes, she had the strangest smile on her face as she stared at the mare, glitzy outfit and all. Cassandra coughed, then answered the question Trixie hadn’t uttered, but had said with her eyes, “The doctors...say it..isn’t good. I was on stage, right in the heart of the act. I never saw her rush onto the stage...she got to me before I realised what was happening. Security got to her, but not quickly enough. But it’s okay now, because you and I, we always stay together.” “How can you say it’s okay Cass?” Trixie fought back none of the tears that torrented down her face. She understood what this was, and she wasn’t allowing it. Not defeatism, not from the only strong pony she’d had in her life. “You’re not going to! I won’t let you!” She sobbed into her sister’s gown. “How can I go on without you?” At that moment, she looked up, Cassandra was smiling down at her. “How can she smile at a time like this?” Trixie teared up, her sister must be going delirious. “Trixie...my beautiful little Trixie...the only pony that never stopped loving me, even when I was a petty gambling hustler, you never stopped. I want you to remember these words...they feel...fitting for mares like us.” With an actress' clarity, she recounted the famous quote from one of her plays: ”All Equestria's a stage, and all the stallions and mares merely players; they have their exits and their entrances, and one mare in her time plays many parts.” She looked down onto Trixie, cuddling her like her own baby foal. “I want you to remember that, when the nights are cold, when you feel that no-one’s there for you, that you’re alone against the world. Remember Trixie, we’ll be together in the end. Everypony like us meets backstage after the play. I want you to make the most of it now. I want you to make me proud! Become rich and famous like I always wanted to be. Have your name in lights so large I can see them from up there. I will always love you, little sis. We’ll be together in the end. Make the most of it...until...then.” Cassandra started to cough, a deeper, wheezier cough than before. A doctor ran in from another ward, pushing Trixie off her sister. Trixie watched as they battled against her wounds, the doctor in a flurry, ordering his nurses to procure potions, pumping Cassandra's chest with his hooves, filling her lungs with his own air. But it was no use, the knife had severed a major artery in her stomach. At 8:34 PM, on July the 7th, the aspiring actress Cassandra passed on from this world, to whatever lays beyond. The doctor stepped back from the prone pony, and called in the time of death with his nurse. He didn’t meet Trixie’s eyes as he walked past, but she saw his face. It held pity for her, but there was nothing he could do anymore. The nurses left Trixie alone with her grief, she wrapped herself around Cassandra and wept until her eyes dried out. The only pony in this forsaken world had been taken from her, she wanted to find the pony that did it - rip them apart like the grief was doing to her heart now. She stroked Cassandra’s mane, and closed her eyes shut. She gave her a kiss on each cheek, smattering her face with tears. They lay like that for hours – Trixie cuddling Cassandra like she used to on those cold nights when mum was late home. The rage and sorrow left her. Now Trixie felt neither Great nor Powerful. She had been powerless to save the one thing in her life that was constant. She wanted to rip off the cloak and throw the hat away, but she couldn’t. As much as it hurt, the idea of performing without her sister’s morale-boosting smile, without her motivating glances while they were on stage, she had to go on. She’d promised to her, and it was a promise she would never bring herself to break. Trixie was the only pony at the funeral. Cassandra had never made friends, actresses never did here. They had found the mare that did it, she’d been beaten by Cassandra at the audition, and wanted revenge for having her dream stolen - so she stole Cassandra’s too. The court appearance had been too much for Trixie, she had broken down while giving her statement, and tried to strangle the mare with her magic. She couldn’t bring herself to look her sister’s killer in the eye afterwards, and gave it in private. The mare was found guilty and sentenced to life, but it still didn’t stop the pain in Trixie’s heart. The cremation went on in complete silence, with only Cassandra’s last rites punctuating the ceremony. Trixie had watched the flames consume her sister’s body, she tried to find closure in absolution, but it didn’t make her feel any better about the world. Now she simply had a mission. The entirety of Equestria had to know her name, The Great and Powerful Trixie would perform, in Cassandra’s honour, at every corner of the land. Every grand castle and tiny hamlet she would enthral. She had the money left to buy a traveller’s stage, she would do it for her, for their dream. She’d make her big sis proud. Author’s Notes: Well finally, after about 400 million rewrites and resubmittals, I can call this story done. Dividing my time between pestering Sethisto with this and helping TF2 F2P newbies get their asses back made for a surprisingly fun week. So here’s hoping you managed to reach the end of this story with some enjoyment from it. I had alot more fun writing it than I expected, so maybe you guys’ll enjoy reading the damned thing. Then I won’t have wasted any time at all this week! Oh yeah, and the entry on Equestria Daily said there was Twilight. So now I have to add Twilight. “Hi,” said Twilight Sparkle. There you go! CoffeeGrunt.