Chapter 20: Road to Friendship
On a beautiful day at Ponyville, almost all of the ponies including Chase, Twilight, Princess Cadance, Nyx and Flurry Heart were gathering at Ponyville Park, where they were watching and looking at the magic show stage. Starlight was pacing around the stage while looking at the chained treasure chest.
"I don't know, folks. She's been in there a long time," Starlight dramatically declared, making the crowd, minus Chase and Nyx, gasp and even Flurry Heart whimpered. While looking at the treasure chest, she asked, "Do you suppose the Terrifying Trunk Escape is too much for her?! What if the Great and Powerful Trixie can't-?!"
POOF!
Hearing the 'poof' noise, the crowd turned back and found the blue smoke engulfed around Sunset. And to their shock and surprise, she picked something like a zipper to open in two, revealing Trixie herself.
"Escape?!" Trixie asked teasingly.
The crowd gasped in shock and surprise at what they just saw. They all turned and looked at Starlight, who pretended to be surprised.
"But if you're there, who's in here?" Starlight asked while looking at the chest.
A smoke cloud appeared as Trixie appeared next to the chest.
"Why, our volunteer, of course!" Trixie said and opened the chest.
That's when Granny Smith popped her head out and coughs from the smoke.
"Crabapple surprise!" Granny said in surprise. "You shoulda oughta tell a Pony before ya go a-poofin' 'em around the stage!"
She then trots off the stage as Starlight and Trixie joined together while the crowd starts cheering for their show.
(Scene changes)
After the magic show, the crowd dispersed and left the area. Chase, Twilight, Princess Cadance, Nyx and Flurry Heart approached Trixie, who was keeping and packing up magical props into her wagon.
"Trixie, that was an amazing show," Twilight commented in amazement.
"Yeah, that was awesome since the last one you did." Chase added in agreement with his wife as Cadance nodded.
"Flurry Heart and I loved it! I'm so glad we decided to come." Cadance said. She then looked at Starlight, who was moving some trunks into the wagon. She commented, "You two have a real chemistry."
"The Terrifying Trunk of Escape does require a grrrreat and powerful assistant." Trixie said with a cocky smirk, turning to Starlight, who was placing down a chest.
"The way you three work together, it's like you've known each other as long as Twilight, Chase, and I have." Princess Cadance commented while looking at Twilight and Chase, who smiled back.
"Yeah, and I'm just glad that Twilight and I found each other's love too now that we're married." Chase added as he gave Twilight a loving nuzzle, making his wife giggle as she nuzzled him in return.
"It was pretty fun." Starlight remarked with a smile as Twilight then went up to her.
"Of course it was!" Twilight exclaimed excitedly, "There's nothing better than a bond with another pony. You can share all kinds of things."
"She's right. Just like when Twilight and Cadance did their chant back when they were kids." Chase said in agreement.
"Sunshine, sunshine, Ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" Twilight and Cadance chanted together before they giggled as Chase chuckled amusingly.
Nyx and Flurry Heart also followed their mother's chant as they found it fun and happy to play with.
Chase chuckled since he found his daughter and niece doing the chant together adorable. Starlight and Trixie were a bit disturbed.
"I think we'll stick to the stage magic for now." Starlight remarked kindly.
"The Great and Powerful Trixie doesn't chant." Trixie said, agreeing with Starlight as Chase turned to her with a smirk.
"Why? Are you scared?" Chase asked teasingly, making Trixie turn to him with a stunned look.
"Me?! Of course not! Just looking after Starlight here. You, uh…" Trixie stammered before she smirked. "You know what a chicken she can be."
Starlight turned to Trixie with a playful smirk while Nyx giggled in amusement with her family.
*Main theme*
Later that day, Trixie and Starlight continued packing, loading up a couple of trunks, and boxes into the wagon. It was then Trixie sighed.
"As much as I love my one-pony show, it's always nice to come to Ponyville and perform with my great and powerful assistant. Cadance is right. We do work well together!" Trixie said to Starlight with a smile as the lilac unicorn turned her attention on the magician.
"Doing a show with you is almost as much fun as counseling students at Twilight and Chase's school!" Starlight said. She then gasped, remembering something. "Which I'm supposed to be doing right now!"
Starlight then teleports away, but came back to Trixie again.
"See ya later." Starlight said sheepishly before she teleports away again.
Trixie shrugged a bit before returning to pack up her stuff. Just as she approached her wagon, she tried to open the door, which is locked and stuck. This made her grumbled in annoyance about it as She tried to open the door, but it was stuck. Trixie pulls harder, but fails again and she slips to the ground.
"Excuse me, Ms. Powerful…" The voice called out.
Trixie stopped as she looked back. She found a lighter Saddle Arabian Unicorn with dark navy and lighter blue streaks, spiky mane and tail wearing brown-orange Arabian robe, bags on his belt, yellow scarf and brown-orange headband with goggles.
After hearing him calling Trixie 'Ms. Powerful', she giggled at that name.
"Usually, ponies just call me Trixie. But 'Ms. Powerful' has a nice ring." Trixie commented with a smile as the Saddle Arabian smiled in return.
"My name is Hoo'Far. I'm from here to Saddle Arabia, I have seen nothing that compares with your wondrous show. Uh, would you consider blessing my homeland with it?" Hoo'Far introduced himself and asked for the blessing of his home, to which Trixie was surprised.
She grunted while trying to open the door.
"I was about to set out on tour." Trixie said and struggles to open the door of her wagon. "But Saddle Arabia is much farther than my usual route." She pulls harder on the door, but only to end up pulling the door knob off. Trixie sat up. "And my caravan might not be suited for an extended tour."
"Mine is new and quite spacious." Hoo'Far gestured to his caravan which is bigger than hers. Infact, his own large wagon was brown-colored with a blue-colored rooftop and has blue colored on sides with Arabian Pattern Side Walls with glass "If it would persuade you, I would happily trade it for yours."
"Trade it?!" Trixie asked in shock and disbelief, "Heavens, no! This is more than just some great and powerful wagon you see before you! It is shelter. It is transportation. It is my only friend on the long and lonely nights on the road."
Of course, Hoo'Far nodded calmly with a smile.
"Very well." Hoo'Far said, understandably. "Then I must see as many of your performances as I can. If I cannot convince you to bring your tour to Saddle Arabia, I must be prepared to relate its magnificence to your many fans there."
"Many fans, you say?" Trixie asked curiously. She laughed a bit, "Well, I suppose I could consider the trip."
That made Hoo'Far smile happily.
"Wonderful! I look forward to seeing you on the road! And if you change your mind about the caravans, my offer remains open." Hoo'Far said happily as Trixie hummed thoughtfully, thinking of the stallion's offer…
(Scene changes)
Later, Trixie was in Starlight's office at the School of Friendship and was sitting on the lounge sofa explaining about her decision.
"It's just so far away." Trixie explained. "Of course, I love visiting mew and exciting places. I am a traveling magician after all."
"Hmmm." Starlight said thoughtfully with a surprised look. "Sounds like your mind's made up."
"Not quite." Trixie admitted as she straightened up. "The road is a lonely place. And this trip even more so. I was hoping I might convince my grrrrreat and powerful assistant to come along?"
"Really?" Starlight smiled.
"Of course!" Trixie went up to her. "You're not just my assistant and my counselor." She wrapped a hoof around Starlight. "You're also my friend. And what's better than a road trip with friends?"
"Nothing!" Starlight said as she smiled happily. "This will be the best magical road trip ever!"
That's when Trixie remembered something.
"Oh and we'll need another partner to come along with us too." Trixie said with a smile. "Somepony who has been to Saddle Arabia before with his family and friends."
"Trixie, you're not seriously thinking of bringing Chase with us, are you?" Starlight asked dryly as Trixie smiled widely. Seeing that she might not give up yet, Starlight sighed. "Alright, but we'll just have to make sure that he's not having a busy schedule though."
Just as the two unicorns were about to leave the consultant room, they found a line of students waiting for the consultancy.
"I should probably get somepony to cover my student counseling duties while we're gone." Starlight remarked. "After we get Chase, I'll see if Jade or Trini can cover for us until we get back."
(Scene changes)
A little while in the school's dojo, Chase was busy punching his practice dummy to perfect his katas. Starlight and Trixie were already inside the dojo waiting for his answer after they explained everything.
Once Chase was done, he grabbed a towel and wiped the sweat from his face before he went over to the two unicorns.
"So, let me see if I got it right. Trixie is going on a trip to the Saddle Arabian tour after Hoo'Far explained to her the whole thing. And you guys want me to come along to assist you, right?" Chase asked as Starlight and Trixie nodded with smiles on their faces, making him get the message clear. Then he became firm as he walked away to collect his katana swords. "Well, here's something for you guys to hear. You're not going."
Hearing this caused Trixie and Starlight to drop their smiles with widened eyes.
"What?!" Trixie asked in shock as she immediately followed Chase behind as he strapped his two katana swords to his belt along with wrapping his black bandana around his head. "But-but-but, Chase! I need a new traveling partner to join us on our tour! It's like in Hoo'Far's homeland we're talking about."
"Which is exactly why you'd rather boast your ego a lot since you still do your magic tricks." Chase remarked as he dryly while straightening his practice dummy. "And I need to go check up on how Twilight is doing with her class too."
Suddenly just as Chase was about to leave, he stopped when he felt something grab him from behind. He looks down to see Trixie lying on her stomach while clinging onto his right hind leg as she was giving him a pleading look.
"Oh, come on, Chase!" Trixie shouted desperately as Starlight walked up to them. "I need your help to make sure this tour goes well for me…" She then paused the moment she noticed Starlight glaring at her. "Uh… I mean for us."
Chase glared at her with an unamused look before he sighed with a shake of his head.
"Alright. I'll come with you guys. But no ego boasting." Chase said firmly as Trixie nodded her head with a smile. "I'll be right back after I ask Twilight for permission."
With that, Chase walks out of the dojo to find his wife.
(Scene changes)
On the next day after getting permission from Twilight, Chase and Starlight headed over to Trixie's wagon with their packed luggage. They were told that Jade and Trini were available to take over their jobs while they were on vacation with Trixie.
When the two just arrived, they then heard the clattering noise from the wagon, which was moving and brawling around wildly. They quickly approached and checked on their friend as Starlight knocked on the door.
"Trixie, are you all right?" Starlight asked in concern.
"Is everything okay in there?" Chase asked as well.
Trixie grunted as she managed to open the door and greeted her friends.
"One caravan for three all set!" Trixie answered, but she then noticed Starlight and Chase levitating the luggage. She was surprised, "Oh. You brought luggage." She laughed a bit of nervous, "I mean, of course you brought luggage!"
"Well, we do need some stuffs to keep us busy," Chase remarked playfully.
"You bet we did! Everything three ponies need for the road trip of their lives! Three one-thousand-piece puzzles, one copy of Dragon Pit – the best board game in the history of ponies – my famous collection of campfire spices, and an inflatable raft." Chase said happily while showing her stuffs. She noticed Trixie's worried looks. She asked, "Did I forget something? I could pop back to the castle and grab it."
"Oh, no. It isn't that." Trixie disagreed while looking at her wagon.
Starlight and Chase looked shocked and concerned to see how messy and cluttered Trixie's wagon is.
"Okay. I can see why you're worried," Chase remarked as Starlight nodded in agreement with the alicorn stallion.
"Yeah. Maybe we don't need the raft." Starlight agreed meekly.
"Ooh! That would be bad." Trixie said.
(Scene changes)
Chase was just waiting outside with a bored look on his face while reading a newspaper. He had to stay out since Starlight and Trixie were the only ones that could fit in.
Inside the wagon, Starlight and Trixie laid down in their hammocks.
"We just needed a little great and powerful rrrrrorganization!" Trixe said as she struggled to move a bit. "Now, everything... fits... just... fine!" And then she knocks a few buckets which turn into flowers. She sighed sadly and in defeat. "Who am I kidding?My wagon is too small for us. I understand if you're having second thoughts."
"Told you you have a lot of stuff in there, Trixie. But you never listen all the time." Chase said from outside, making Trixie glare indignantly.
"Thanks for pointing out the obvious, Chase!" Trixie said sarcastically as Starlight rolled her eyes a bit.
"Never mind him, Trixie. As for your other opinion? Second thought?" Starlight asked with a scoff. "Are you kidding? This wagon isn't small. It's... eh... cozy. And there's no such thing as too cozy."
"Well, all right then!" Trixie said as she smiled gratefully. She then struggles to get out of her hammock."I guess it's time to hit the road! I'll... start us off..."
Trixie then slips and falls, and Starlight quickly catches a smoke bomb. When Trixie got out, she closed the door, but accidentally closed it a bit too hard and the wagon shook as the smoke bomb rolled out of Starlight's hoof.
Suddenly, smoke started filling up the place as Starlight opened a window and she poked her head out while gasping for air. Chase, who had just watched the whole thing, just said nothing as he had an unamused look on his face while reading the newspaper.
"Okay. Maybe there is such a thing as too cozy." Starlight said feebly.
Chase smirked amusingly with a raised eyebrow as Trixie smiled sheepishly.
(Scene changes)
After getting the smoke outside, they begin the long trek to Saddle Arabia. While traveling on foot, Trixie felt a little unsure about Starlight and Chase walking beside her.
"You're sure you both wouldn't rather ride?" Trixie asked.
Suddenly, Trixie's wagon hit a small rock, making one of the smoke bombs drop and exploding the smoke out from it.
"I'm pretty sure," Chase confirmed as Starlight nodded in agreement.
"Yeah. We would rather have some fresh air after some serious works from the School of Friendship." Starlight added.
"And you're not backing out?" Trixie asked, "The three of us sleeping in that cozy caravan could get tricky."
"Trixie, there's plenty of high-quality inns to stay at on the way." Starlight assured and showed a map. "Don't worry about it. I'm not backing out of the greatest and most powerful road trip bonding experience three ponies could ever have."
"I think I will be okay." Chase said before he smiled. "But I'll be able to sleep outside if there won't be enough inns when we get there. Besides, there's nothing that can stop us."
Trixie couldn't help but smile happily at the two.
"Well, when you put it like that, I'm actually kind of excited!" Trixie said as she beamed excitedly.
"Me, too," Starlight agreed. She sighed, "Thank goodness we're not like Twilight or the others. They'd probably sing a song about it."
"Be careful of what you wish for." Chase said warningly with a smirk as they were soon outside of Ponyville.
[Starlight and Trixie]
We're off on the road to friendship
Our ride might be tiny and small
Trixie became exhausted and tired. Chase just rolled his eyes before he took over to ride the wagon, allowing her and Starlight to ride on top of it.
"Beats walking though, eh, Trix?" Starlight asked playfully.
"Well, good thing you two are on top of the wagon, then sitting inside. Too cramp for us to live." Chase said with a mischievous smile.
"Hello! I'm right here," Trixie grumbled.
Chase chuckled as Starlight snickered in amusement.
(Scene changes)
[Trixie - She, Starlight, and Chase continued traveling through the mountain's steep and narrowed road. They did their best and were careful not to fall from the mountain. After passing through some hills, they arrived at the steep mountain slope. Chase slowly and firmly carried and moved the wagon to the ground. They quickly build a large raft for the wagon to board and rowed out on the river.]
But road trips are a great way, we've been told, to get along
[Starlight]
I'm glad we're sticking to it
We've already got a song
[Starlight and Trixie]
We're off on the road to friendship
Side by side, just like peas in a pod
[Trixie]
Our bond of friendship is stronger than this tour's demands
Just as Starlight and her crew were rowing down the stream, they passed by Hoo'Far, who was resting and taking a break from traveling.
"My offer to trade caravans still stands!" Hoo'Far called happily.
"Wait, what did he say?" Starlight asked.
"What does he mean 'trade caravans'?" Chase asked in surprise as Trixie panicked.
"Nothing!" Trixie replied back nervously.
[Trixie and Starlight - Continuing down stream, Chase, Trixie, and Starlight went inside the wagon to get some food and drinks for themselves. Just as they have collected enough food, Chase has unintentionally pulled the string from the ground, opening the inflatable boat to congest and trap them inside. Instead of being annoyed, the three of them smiled warmly and happily.]
We're so tight, we can't move around
I guess we're stuck together 'cause we're friendship bound
"Hope everyone's enjoying this trip, right?" Chase asked happily.
"Sure is great traveling with you, buddy!" Trixie said as she smiled, happily.
"You too, buddy!" Starlight agreed.
Reaching at the end of the stream, Starlight and her two friends climbed down from the raft. They are now traveling through a swamp with fiery geysers. With the help of Chase's magical barrier, it protected and kept everyone safe from being burnt alive.
[Starlight and Trixie - The three came across two angry and upset mail ponies, who were glaring at each other for the broken wagon. Thankfully, Chase halted the march as he approached and assisted them to fix the wagon's wheel. Starlight and her friends levitated and attached the wagon to the mail ponies before the latter thanked the former. The mail ponies then flew off at once.]
We've each got the other to blame
[Starlight]
Any trip can be exhausting if you make a fuss
[Trixie]
But we get on so well that's there no way that could be us
[Starlight and Trixie - After passing through the fiery geyser swamp, they came into a swamp. They stopped at the edge of the lake. Then Chase came up with an idea as the three went swinging across the lake.]
We're off on the road to friendship
And there's nowhere that we'd rather be
"Was that off-key?" Trixie questioned her two traveling friends.
"Dunno." Chase said.
[Starlight - She hopped across the back of some Crocodiles.]
In summer, winter, spring, and fall, we're friends throughout the year
"For nine at least!" Starlight replied back.
[Trixie - Then suddenly the wagon bumped from behind them and they were all caught in an entanglement of vines.]
For untold seasons yet to come, our friendship will be here
[Starlight]
We're so tight, we can't move around
[Starlight and Trixie]
We're so tight, we can't move around
"Like a race where you tie your hooves together and you have to move in perfect synchronization to win!" Trixie said as Chase used his magic to bring out one of his katana swords as he cut the vines and the three fell.
"Come on guys, let's go." Chase said as he led the two on the journey.
(Scene changes)
[Starlight and Trixie - Later, the three were in the desert leading to Saddle Arabia.]
We're friendship boooooound!
"Or like a buddy movie where the three protagonists can't get away from each other because they're wearing hoof-cuffs!" Starlight said quickly as Chase just groaned annoyingly.
"Seriously, Starlight?" Chase asked as Starlight glared at him indignantly. "That's a bit too much, don't you think?"
[Starlight and Trixie]
We're friendship boooooound!
A little while later, they slid down a hide and entered Saddle Arabia. The sight of it was enough to make Chase sigh happily to be back.
"Man, it feels great to be back here." Chase said with a happy smile.
In just a few seconds, they arrived in the Bazaar. Starlight awed in amazement while looking at how large and vast the marketplace especially they have various stocks, trades and sales they have.
"Ooh, the marketplace. Perfect," Trixie said happily, though unaware that Starlight and Chase went off. She continued, "I've learned the hard way that life on the road requires very specific supplies. And we only have so many bits. So we'll have to spend them wise…ly"
Trixie was interrupted upon looking at Starlight eating Arabian Tacos but known as shawarma while Chase had a few potions that he wanted to create a cure for him and his family to try out.
Feeling uneasy, Starlight offered a bite while Chase shrugged apologetically as Trixie gave the both an annoyed look .
(Scene changes)
Later, they were strolling through the street once Starlight finished up her food.
"Sorry about wasting bits on street food." Starlight said with a sigh of guilt.
"Same here." Chase said apologetically while looking at the bag that had his potions. "Needed a new addition for me and my family to see if we can administer a cure for any kind of threat the Quinkan might throw at us."
"Oh, it's fine. Falafel bonding, right?" Trixie waved off with a small laughter. While looking at the Haycake Stall, she looked at her bag and saw four bits in it which she now became more annoyed. "Besides, we still have enough for haycakes and juice. I hope."
Then she got in line for to get some food as Chase and Starlight noticed a booth with no line.
"Wow, that line looks long." Chase said to Starlight, who nodded in agreement.
"Um, why don't we go there?" Starlight asked as she looked at another Haycake Stall with no one to line up.
"Oh, no-no-no. I always buy my haycakes here." Trixie said with a shake of her head.
"So we're just going to wait in line for hours?" Starlight asked in disbelief yet dryly. Trixie turned and glanced at her as Chase gave the lilac unicorn a slight glare, causing Starlight to flinch by it. She quickly cleared her throat, "Uh, which is totally cool! Waiting-in-line bonding! Right?"
"I'm sure it won't take too long, guys." Chase assured his two friends with a smile. "Might only take 10 minutes."
(Scene changes)
In the evening, Starlight and her crew bought some souvenirs, food supplies and materials. They have now arrived and entered the Get On Inn where ponies were chatting with each other warmly while some were getting their room to rent and others were heading to the dining hall for their dinner.
"After our falafel purchase, we weren't able to get everything on my list." Trixie said in disappointment while looking at her list, "But we are definitely set for breakfast."
"And I'm sure we'll find out that waiting in that super-long line was worth it." Starlight said with a smile.
"Yeah. But we really made it here," Chase remarked calmly, "Let's just enjoy tonight. And then get some goodnight sleep before tomorrow's event."
"A few hiccups always happen." Trixe assured as the three went up to the counter since it was their turn. "We'll be back on the road to friendship after a good night's sleep."
"We're all full!" Said Ms. Trotsworth, causing the three to gasp and glanced at each other.
"Uh, I'm sure we'll find something." Starlight said, remaining positive.
(Scene changes)
"No!" A mare Earth Pony said sternly, shutting the door.
"Sorry!" An elder pegasus stallion answered before closing the curtain.
"All full!" A mare unicorn added while closing a wooden door as she glared at the three depressed friends.
"Okay, now what do we do?" Chase asked his friends with a frustrated look on his face as Hoo'Far appeared.
"Ah, the Glowpaz Festival." Hoo'Far said as he smiled at the lit green gems. "Somnambula is no doubt filled to the brim. Luckily, travelers such as ourselves have our caravans."
He then heads off as Trixie glared at him annoyingly before turning to Starlight and Chase as she laughed a bit sarcastically.
"You said there'd be plenty of places to stay. "Don't even worry about it," you said. Ya might've thought to make a reservation!" Trixie said mockingly before she finished slightly angry.
"Um, I've been with you singing and standing in line." Starlight reminded Trixie with an annoyed look on her face. "When would I have done that?"
"I don't know." Trixie said in a low anger. "But I'm starting to think you aren't as great and powerful an assistant as I thought!"
"Guys?" Chase said as he looked at the two.
"So you just brought me and Chase along to do your legwork?" Starlight asked, getting upset.
"Guys, come on!" Chase said sternly, getting in between them. "We're just off on a rough start. We're all just tired, let's just try to get some sleep. And things will be better tomorrow."
Trixie sighed upon hearing that.
"No. Of course not. I'm sorry." Trixie apologized. "I'm just frustrated. I was really looking forward to a relaxing night in a nice room."
"Me, too." Starlight sighed. "But since there's literally no rooms at the inns, I guess it's lucky we've got the wagon."
(Scene changes)
Later, they were in the wagon, but it sounded better than done. Chase was sleeping outside in a sleeping bag he brought along for the trip since he knew there would be no room for him in the wagon.
"Sleeping-in-tight-quarters bonding." Starlight said unenthusiastically.
"Yaaaaay." Starlight and Trixie said together.
Starlight rolled to get settled, but she bumps a box under her. She moved her front hooves, but hit her elbows on boxes on each side and then moved the box over a bit. But Trixie ended up getting her head squeezed.
"Is there something I can do to make things more comfortable for you?" Trixie asked, trying to keep it together.
"You could get rid of this junk." Starlight said and taps on a frying pan.
Then she almost avoided getting hit and it slid down from being attached to magic ribbons.
"Yes, well, before we throw away the magical items it's taken me years to collect, we could try switching hammocks." Trixie suggested and moved aside 2 boxes.
"Fine." Starlight said, finding it fair.
Then the other end of the ribbons dropped with another pan, and then some Birds flew away.
No sooner or later, they switched hammocks and went to sleep.
A few hours later, Trixie heard a loud sound and opened her eyes. She then slightly jumped from some stars with faces and then a loud snoring was heard as it sounded close.
"Starlight!" Trixie quietly called. "Starlight! I think there's a wild animal outside!"
It was heard again as Trixie then slipped out from her hammock and then got up next to her.
"Starlight?" Trixie getting scared.
But then she find out it was actually Starlight snoring very loud.
"STARLIGHT!" Trixie yelled.
Starlight then woke up with a jump.
"What?" Starlight asked with a tired look.
"I'm sorry." Trixie said as she fake smiled. "Your snoring is a bit, um..."
"Loud?" Starlight said as she laughed nervously from that. "Yeah, I do that. I had my village convinced we were being attacked by Bears every night." Trixie just stared with a grumpy look. Starlight cleared her throat with a laugh. "But we probably need a better solution here."
Trixie then turns away, coming up with a smugly idea to get even.
Later, Starlight gets back in her hammock wearing a bandana over her mouth and then settles into sleep.
"Ladies and gentleponies..." Trixie said in her sleep as Starlight looked and saw her mumbling. "Great and Powerful Trixie... amazing feats..."
"Seriously?!" Starlight snapped angrily.
"Prepare to be amazed..." Trixie continued as Starlight sighed heavily.
"I'm just glad Chase isn't sleeping with us tonight." Starlight said with a grumpy look as Trixie continued to talk in her sleep when a loud banging was heard, causing the two to yelp in surprise as they held onto their hammocks.
"Trixie, are you sleep talking in there?!" Chase's voice called from outside as Trixie flinched nervously.
"Uh, no, Chase! Not at all!" Trixie replied back with a nervous smile as hoofsteps could be heard walking away, indicating that Chase left.
(Scene changes)
Early the next morning, Starlight was up and ready's a haycake, but she was still upset from last night. She places the pancake on her plate, and starts eating. then Trixie came outside, but Trixie didn't look happy as well.
"Sleep well?" Trixie grumpily asked.
"Sure did." Starlight said grumpily.
Trixie makes her way over to get the haycake mix to make one herself, but there were only a few crumbs left in the bag.
"Is, uh, that the last of the haycakes?" Trixie asked with a fake smile as Starlight soon bites down the last piece.
"Oh. Yeah. Sorry." Starlight said sarcastically as Trixie looked grumpier.
"It's fine." Trixie said, getting annoyed and pours a glass of juice, but there was only enough for one cup.
"I don't suppose there's any juice." Starlight said as she approached her.
Trixie then smugly poured every last bit in her glass, and then jugs it down.
"Nah. I guess we'll have to resupply." Trixie said with a fake joyful tone when they heard the sound of a door open.
Starlight and Trixie turned to see Chase coming out of the wagon Hoo'Far parked right beside the other wagon with one of the tall stallion's robes he was wearing.
"Hey, guys." Chase said with a smile as he approached them while having a bagel. "Did you sleep well?"
Trixie and Starlight glared at each other before turning to Chase with very fake smiles.
"Yes we did." Starlight said as Hoo'Far appeared from the wagon.
"What a glorious morning!" Hoo'Far greeted them. "I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to the first show of your tour!"
He then heads off to prepare his day. Trixie and Starlight then remembered something.
"Wait a minute, Chase. Were you sleeping with him the entire night?" Starlight asked Chase as the alicorn stallion finished his breakfast.
"Yup. His wagon has got quite some space in there." Chase answered with a smile as he rubbed the robe he was wearing. "And his robes are very comfortable."
"Well furthermore, is he gonna be following us for the whole time?!" Starlight asked, annoyed.
"I do not know." Trixie said with the same annoyed look as well.
"Okay, let's just try to get through one day here." Chase said calmly as the two glared at him, but he didn't have an effect on them. "Okay?"
(Scene changes)
At midday, they set up a magic show, and a crowd of ponies watch excitedly. But Starlight and Trixie seem to be on each other nerves slightly.
"She's been in there a long time." Starlight flatly said. "Do you suppose the Terrifying Trunk Escape is too much for a pony who drinks all the juice and talks non-stop in her sleep?! What if the Great and Powerful Trixie can't..."
Suddenly there was a smoke explosion revealing Trixie, but she looked annoyed.
"Sleep?!" Trixie questioned. "Because her roommate snores like an Ursa Major?!"
The crowd murmured in confusion.
"But if you're there, who's in there?" Starlight wondered flatly.
And then there was a smoke explosion, and as it cleared. Trixie only got to the steps. She then quickly got to the stage, and removes the chains of the chest.
"There's not much room in here!" Cortland sticks a hoof out.
"At least you don't have to sleep in it WITH ANOTHER PONY!" Trixie snapped.
Starlight then left the stage, and then Trixie smiled as the show ended.
Chase just looked at the two with a firm look while Hoo'Far claps awkwardly quietly.
"This show is much better in Ponyville." Hoo'Far said with an awkward look.
"Sorry about this, everypony. But it seems like the two are just not seeing eye to eye on something. I'm afraid the show is over until my friends decide on what they should do." Chase said to the crowd while glaring at Trixie and Starlight.
The crowd murmured in confusion before they walked away, leaving Hoo'Far alone with Chase as the alicorn stallion climbed off stage and grabbed his katana swords. As he was busy, Hoo'Far approached him.
"I suppose those two haven't rented a hotel since you came here with them, Chase?" Hoo'Far asked the alicorn master, who turns to him.
"You don't know the half of it. If it's gonna take for us to help them do something new, then we better get it done, Hoo'Far." Chase replied back with a concerned look.
"I hope you're right, my boy. I know that you have the same determination your mother had when she came her to stop a few burglars of stealing most of the souvenirs." Hoo'Far said with an encouraging smile.
Chase smiled back in reply.
(Scene changes)
Later at night, Trixie and Starlight had their backs angrily turned to each other.
"Oh. Would you like the last carrot?" Trixie said as she offered a carrot to Starlight. "I know how fond you are of eating the last of things."
"Oh, no." Starlight said with a fake offer. "It might make me thirsty, and we don't have anything to drink. So..."
She brought the carrot back to Trixie, which she became annoyed and stood up as she turned to her.
"The good news is I'm so exhausted, I could sleep through a stampede of Wild Boars!" Trixie said sarcastically and angrily, which got Starlight's attention. "Which, you'll be delighted to know, is only slightly louder than your snoring."
"Well, I'm looking forward to rehearsing the act with you all night." Starlight said as she turned to her. "So diligent of you to go over it and over it in your sleep."
"Practice makes perfect." Trixie said with a snarl as she gritted her teeth.
"Not today, it didn't." Starlight said angrily.
"Well, I'm sorry you're miserable!" Trixie said with a sarcastic tone and annoyed look as she rolled her eyes.
"Really?! Because if you wanted to make things more comfortable, you could always pare down a bit!" Starlight then angrily threw Trixie's thing out of the wagon.
The last straw was drawn from Trixie's anger.
"Well, since you're so concerned about space, YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL!" Trixie snapped, getting into Starlight's face. "I'll sleep under the stars, where at least the wild animals will be QUIETER THAN YOU!"
Trixie then grabs a pillow and blanket, and then runs off by Hoo'Far's wagon as he and Chase come out.
"I do not mean to interrupt, but it seems there is trouble on the road to friendship." Hoo'Far said.
"I guess Trixie had just gotten on her last nerve by you, was it?" Chase asked curiously as Starlight derisively laughed.
"Ya think, Chase?!" Starlight shouted as she tossed the carrot into the fire.
"Well, that could've gone better." Chase said with a concerned look.
(Scene changes)
On the next day, Trixie woke up in the morning as she headed off to gather some materials and magic tricks from her wagon for her next magic show. But when she saw it missing, she began to panic as she gasped worriedly.
"Where's my wagon?!" Trixie asked in fear and concern.
Then Starlight came out of Hoo'Far's wagon with Chase in a much better mood. She was even wearing the same robe Chase was wearing as well.
"I traded it to that pony from Saddle Arabia for his." Starlight simply said with a smile. "He even threw in a pair of robes."
Trixie turned to her with a horrified look.
"You WHAT?!" Trixie asked in shock.
"I traded the old, worn-out wagon that was too small for us, for this nice spacious one that we can both enjoy." Starlight said as she used her magic to open the door and put the magic stuff inside.
"Bu-" Trixie stammered angrily yet sadly. "Who said you could do that?!"
"Nopony. We just did it." Starlight answered calmly while she sighed happily as Chase nodded in agreement (though he was actually acting out).
"Yeah. Now we have plenty of room, and you didn't even have to give anything away." Chase added with a smile.
Trixie tears up and then gets fed up with an enraged look.
"Au contraire. I did give something away! I gave away my wagon... and my best friend!" Trixie retorted as she covered her face with tears streaming down her face as Starlight then dropped a box and then angrily turned to her.
"Oh I'm sorry! I didn't realize you were better friends with that beat-up old wagon than you are with me!" Starlight snapped furiously as Chase looked concerned about this.
"Come on, guys! Will you knock it off?" Chase asked, not wanting things to go off.
"Well, it's easy when the wagon is a better friend!" Trixie snapped. "It would've never traded you away!"
"That's ridiculous." Starlight bluntly said.
"Oh, it is ridiculous. In fact, this whole tour is ridiculous! I don't even know why I invited you guys in the FIRST PLACE!" Trixie yelled out, shocking Chase and Starlight in the process.
"Well, maybe I should just head home!" Starlight said angrily, getting fed up.
"I think that's very good idea!" Trixie said, agreeing. "And you can take this horrible giant caravan with you!"
"FINE!" Starlight shouted angrily.
"GOOD!" Trixie snapped, getting into Starlight's face before they then parted ways.
"Starlight, Trixie, come on!" Chase said. "I thought you guy are friends."
"NOT ANYMORE, CHASE!" They snapped at the alicorn stallion before they continued to walk away.
Chase could only sigh since he was the only one left.
"This is gonna be tougher than I thought." Chase said to himself.
(Scene changes)
At mid morning, Trixie drags her things under the hot desert. Suddenly, her chests got caught by a rock. Trixie pulled as hard as she can, and then the ropes snapped as she then rolled across the trail with a surprised yelp before stopping.
When she woke up, she then saw her wagon. She smiled, and then rushed over and tried to open the door which was locked.
Then, Hoo'Far opened the door and came out. He was surprised to find Trixie by herself.
"Goodness! Oh, Ms. Powerful." Hoo'Far surprised. "Eh, but where are your assistants? I had hoped providing you with a more comfortable means of conveyance would allow you to once more dazzle the crowds with mystifying feats of magic."
"Normally, that sort of flattery would suffice." Trixie said. "But today, we must discuss your dishonest and unfair procurement of my wagon!"
"I desired your wagon and provided one of equal and better value in return." Hoo'Far simply said. "It seems like a perfectly honest and fair to me."
"Unfortunately, it is more nuanced than that!" Trixie said.
"I'm sure it is, but I am eagered to set out. If you'll excuse me." Hoo'Far said as he then moves in front of the wagon, and strapped himself.
Trixie whooshed in front of him and rolled onto her back. Hoo'Far brought up a stool and sat down.
"I am willing to wait as long as you are." Hoo'Far said and then took a sip of his tea.
"Ha! We'll just see about that!" Trixie said as if she could do it all day.
They'd stayed in the same spot all day, and even through the night to early the next morning.
"You know, even if I was willing to reverse the trade, you don't have my caravan to offer in return." Hoo'Far said as he leaned his head near Trixie.
"Details!" Trixie said after she grumbled as Hoo'Far looked away unamusingly.
(Scene changes)
Meanwhile, Starlight was in the swamp trying to pull the caravan out from some vines.
She soon pulls it free, and hauls it through some mud when a Crocodile lunges from the water, but Starlight quickly teleports to the caravan's roof before the Crocodile snatched her in its jaws. She was surrounded by other Crocodiles. Starlight begin to use her magic to pull the wagon free.
"You all seemed... a lot less threatening when there were 3 of us!" Starlight said as she struggled.
(Scene changes)
After pulling free and escaping the Crocodiles, Starlight was now left with avoiding the flaming geysers.
"This place is awful!" Starlight cried with a horrified look. "How did I not see it before?!" She then whimpered slightly. "Where's Chase when you need him?"
(Scene changes)
Later, Starlight traveled up the river in the canyon. Then ahead the two mail ponies now known as Snow Violent and Rainy Day saw her. The mail ponies from the flaming swamp who seem to have finally gotten along were using a box to help them travel down the river.
"Hey! It's one of those traveling ponies!" Rainy Day said.
"Your song really inspired us!" Snow Violent said. "We decided we need to head off on the road to friendship, too!"
"It sure beats the road to deliveries!" Rainy Day agreed.
"Yeah!" Snow Violent said as she climbed into a mail crate. "Sometimes traveling together is hard!"
"You reminded us we could also make it fun!" Rainy Day said as she then pushed the crate into the water. "Thanks again! Woo-hoo!"
They floated down the river laughing and Starlight felt sorry and regrets of what she did too Trixie.
"I wonder if Chase has made it back to Ponyville by now to express his concerns to Twilight. I must've hurt them when Trixie and I started that really big fuss." Starlight said with a guilty look.
Unknown to her, Chase was hiding underneath the wagon while keeping an eye on Starlight as she began to make her way back to find Trixie and apologize to her.
(Scene changes)
Back in the desert, Hoo'Far offers out a cup of tea for Trixie, who still wouldn't budge.
"Steaming hot beverage?" Hoo'Far offered.
"Thank you. No." Trixie said, crossing her hooves with a stubborn look when a familiar caravan rolled into view.
"What are you two doing?" Starlight asks as Trixie looks up and sees the lilac unicorn standing over her.
"Taking a stand!" Trixie said. "By lying down! Not that you care, Wagon-Trader-Away-er! I'd say Chase would scold you for this if he was here!"
"I'm afraid I'm still not interested, despite your assistant's convenient appearance." Hoo'Far said. "Plus, Master Chase is not here."
"Trixie, I came back to apologize." Starlight said. "I should never have traded away the wagon. It wasn't mine to trade. It belongs to my friend."
"Hmmm. If you truly were friends, I suppose I'd be honor-bound to reverse the trade." Hoo'Far said.
"Okay!" Trixie said irritatingly as she sat up and put Starlight into a headlock. "Fine! We're friends! Best friends who share a deep bond who weren't prepared for the emotional challenges of traveling. Happy?"
"I'm still unconvinced." Hoo'Far said as he shook his head. "Perhaps you could prove your friendship."
"How?" Trixie asked and dropped Starlight as the lilac unicorn got up.
"Uh, we could do our friendship chant!" Starlight feebly requested with a smile.
Trixie was confused and then Starlight turns to Trixie with an annoyed glare.
"Oh, right..." Trixie said, getting the idea. "Our world-famous chant of friendship that we do all the time because we're such great friends."
Then they made up a chant and out of sync.
"Magic, tra-magic... poof of smoke... want to wave your hooves... and tell a..." The two chanted awkwardly as they zipped up in front of Hoo'Far "little joke!"
Hoo'Far jumps back in surprise and then some of Trixie's smoke bombs went off as Hoo'Far came out the front of the wagon
"That was the worst friendship chant I have ever heard!" Hoo'Far said. "And you 2 were clearly making it up as you went. But only true friends would be willing to act so ridiculous for one another."
"So you'll give back the wagon?" Trixie asked as she smiled hopefully.
"Though I'd suggest heading back to Ponyville." Hoo'Far suggested. "I'm not sure Saddle Arabia is ready for... uh, this."
"That's fair." Starlight said while smirking at Trixie as she looked away with a smile.
But then they remembered something.
"But where's Chase at?" Starlight asked worriedly as she looked around for any sign of the alicorn stallion.
Suddenly, there was a low clapping behind Trixie's wagon, causing the two unicorns to turn to see Chase standing on his hind legs as they were crossed while clapping as he was leaning on the wagon with an amused smirk.
"Well done, guys. Really, really great. Good job." Chase said with a smirk as he approached the two stunned unicorn mares.
"Chase?!" Trixie and Starlight asked in shock at the same time.
"You were there the whole time?!" Starlight asked shockingly.
"Actually I was only under Hoo'Far's wagon." Chase said as he stood next to Hoo'Far while smirking at the two mares as the tall stallion smiled amusingly with him.
"Wait a minute! You mean you actually know who Hoo'Far is?!" Starlight asked again.
"Yeah." Chase said with a nod. "He's an old friend of my mother, Jewel Hisomi. She came to Saddle Arabia for some herbs on making cures. Hoo'Far witnessed her fighting off against some robbers trying to steal some merchandise at the stands. After my mother returned home, she was greeted by Hoo'Far again to thank her for saving the village." Hoo'Far nodded in reply as Trixie and Starlight were still beyond shock by what they have heard. Chase then smirked again. "Oh and Hoo'Far was also the one who came to Trixie's show in Ponyville right before we started the tour. When you two weren't gonna do something new for your friendship, we knew that it would be the perfect opportunity to make sure you both would try a chant like how Twilight and Cadance do it."
"You planned this?!" Trixie asked with her eyes wide open.
Chase nodded in confirmation.
"Also, having Starlight trade your wagon to Hoo'Far was a part of the plan as well. To make sure you two would come to terms after you weren't seeing eye to eye." Chase added as Hoo'Far chuckled amusingly.
"And I must add as well, Chase is quite the trickster for using the Art of Deception." Hoo'Far added.
Trixie and Starlight just stared with their jaws dropped before their eyes rolled up as they fell on their backs. Chase smirked at them and was about to say something when Starlight beat him to it.
"Don't say it!" Starlight said sternly with her left hoof raised as Chase and Hoo'Far smirked amusingly. "Don't even chuckle!"
"Next time… YOU trade the wagon!" Trixie finished while glaring at Chase before she fainted again.
(Scene changes)
A few days later, they finally arrived back at Ponyville.
"I'm sorry your Saddle Arabia tour was ruined." Starlight apologized to Trixie with a smile.
"Honestly, I don't think I could've stood one more second on the road." Trixie admitted. "At a certain point, I don't even like traveling by myself."
"Well, at least something worked out. Finally." Chase said.
"Thanks to you, Chase." Starlight said with a smirk. "I still can't believe you did that."
"Aw well, I tried." Chase said with a playful shrug as the two girls giggled in reply.
Trixie went to the door, and open it and a few boxes fell out.
"It is a lot harder than I thought." Starlight admitted. "Still, I'm glad we tried. Mostly so we know not to do it again."
"Even with that weird chant you two did." Chase added with a playful grin. "At least Twilight and Cadance didn't see that."
The three laughed.
"I think it's made our friendship greater and more powerful than ever!" Trixie said.
Then suddenly the chest lid opened, and Cortland popped out.
"You know, there's actually plenty or room in her for one pony to nap." Cortland said as the three ponies were surprised he was in there the whole time. "Is the show over?"
He then laid down, and closed the chest as looked at each other as Chase just rolled his eyes with a smirk.