With Great Power

Chapters

The truth will set you free
Genetics, you are so random
Urgent Memo
The Odd Couple (Or Is It Odd Trio?)
Settling in and checking up
Meanwhile, back in Ponyville
Ah trouble, my old friend
Gearing up
Karma is best judge
All's well that ends well

The truth will set you free

Star Swirl the Bearded breathed heavily. He knew his time was limited. Lighting up his horn he levitated a quill and began to write a letter that he knew would be his last.

The letter went as follows.

As I am writing this my old age has finally caught up to me, and I know this will be the last letter I will ever write. You all know me as Star Swirl the Bearded, the greatest unicorn of all time and the founder of the animorphic spell.

However, what you do not know about me is that there is one thing I always wanted. More than fame, more than fortune, more than glory. More than anything else I wanted a family, a loving family that would continue my legacy long after I am gone.

Shortly after Equestria was founded I attended a ceremony, announcing the ascension of my student, Clover the Clever, into the ranks of royalty. While there I met this beautiful young mare. Her blue coat glistened and sparkled like the night sky, her majesitc red mane and golden eyes, made her look irresistable to me. It was not long before I realized that I had found what I was looking for, a mare that I could call my own.

The next day I introduced myself to the beautiful mare, and she told me that her name was Sweet Dreams. She invited me inside, and for the first time in years I felt young again. I soon discovered that our fields of interest shared much in common. Even though she was but a humble earth pony, I was attracted to her and asked her out on the spot. She said yes and our courtship was a grand affair.

Before long we agreed to take the next step in our relationship and said those faithful words 'I do'. Thus we were married, and we spent our honeymoon in the newly established capital city of Equestria, Canterlot. However, unlike those stories of fantasy that ponies have come up, with our marriage did not have a happy ending. For reasons I still do not know, my lovely wife was taken from me during child birth, her final gift to me were two fillies that she named Spectrum and Star Song.

These are the very fillies that I claimed I had found abandoned on my doorstep as foals. I know now that such a lie was selfish of me, and that I should not have tried to forget about the existence of my wife, even though she left me before her time. Regardless, I taught the two fillies everything I know, and so I entrust them with carrying on my legacy when I am no longer of this world.

Sweet Dreams, my dear. I can only hope that you are waiting for me in the next life, and that you have forgiven me for all the things I said and did after you were gone.

Star Swirl put the quill down. He left the letter on the desk in the hopes that someone would read it and went upstairs. Every step he took threatened to be his last, but he eventually reached his bedroom. Climbing into bed he removed his signature hat and cape for what would be the last time. The old stallion took one last deep breath and closed his eyes, never to open them again.

The next morning Princess Clover, who had always been known as Clover the Clever to Star Swirl came by. She grew worried when her former mentor did not answer the door. Using her magic she unlocked the door and went inside. Not seeing Star Swirl at his desk, hunched over a pile of notes only made her worries grow, and thus she did not notice the letter that sat on the desk. Fearing the worst Clover went upstairs, upon entering Star Swirl's bedroom she saw her mentor's trade mark hat and cloak neatly hung up on the nearby rack. And there was Star Swirl himself, at first glimpse he appeared to be sleeping, but when Clover the Clever felt his hoof her fears were confirmed as the hoof felt cold.

Her mentor, the mighty Star Swirl the Bearded was no more. Clover was heartbroken.

Genetics, you are so random

"It is hard to believe that Twilight Sparkle was able to do something that Star Swirl never could." Princess Luna said to her sister Princess Celestia. The two of them were discussing the recent coronation of Celestia's student Twilight Sparkle as Equestria's newest princess.

"Indeed it is Luna." Princess Celestia said "But as I told you from the beginning it was her destiny to do so. And Twilight proved that she is ready to handle the responsibilities."

"I understand that sister." Princess Luna said "All the same I am worried about her. Unlike Cadence she has been tempted by the powers of darkness, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned that in a moment of weakness she could turn on us and destroy the very harmony we seek to maintain."

"I appreciate your concern Luna but I know Twilight better then anypony and I know that she would never give in to temptation." Princess Celestia said "And she has us and Princess Cadence to help guide her, not to mention her friends and family."

Just then one of the royal guards came bursting into the room. "Pardon my entry your majesties but something has come up."

"What sort of something?" Princess Celestia asked.

"I don't know but from what the others are saying it might be releated to Star Swirl the Bearded." the royal guard said.

"Please lead the way." Princess Celestia instructed.

"As you command." the royal guard said and promptly took off. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna followed him. The three of them arrived at the Museum of Ancient Pony History where the royal guards were blocking the entrance.

"What's this about?" Princess Luna asked.

"Someone just discovered an artifact dating back to the time period when Princess Clover ruled Equesria." a royal guard explained "The museum currator thinks it might have something to do with Star Swirl the Bearded."

"May we see the artifact?" Princess Celestia asked.

"You'll have to ask the currator herself." the royal guard who lead Celestia and Luna to the museum explained.

"Then may we enter?" Princess Celestia asked.

"Of course your highnesses." the royal guard said. He instructed the other royal guards to stand down and allow the Princesses to enter.

"Oh...uh forgive me your majesties." the currator Dusty Fossil said "I was not expecting you to visit."

"At easy Dusty." Princess Luna said "We have only come here because our royal guards believe you may have recieved an artifact from the reign of Princess Clover."

"Ah yes that item." Dusty Fossil said "Wait right here." She went into another room and returned a moment later with a letter. It had not aged well and the words printed on it could only be faintly made out.

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna read it and what they read shocked them. They had never known about this but it would certainly change Equestrian history.

"Thank you for showing us this letter Dusty." Princess Luna said "You have our deepest gratitude."

"Oh your highnesses it's nothing really." Dusty Fossil said "Please feel free to come by when this is added to our new Star Swirl the Bearded exhibit."

"We'll keep that in mind." Princess Celestia said and she and Princess Luna left the museum. Once they returned to the castle they instructed the royal guards to run a database search and find any pony whose family line could be traced back to Spectrum and Star Song.

"How could a letter that important be lost for all this time?" Princess Luna asked "I thought Princess Clover had secured everything important when she cleaned out his house?"

"Apparently she never read this letter." Princess Celestia said "She must have been distracted by her grief."

"What do we do now?" Princess Luna asked.

"For now we'll continue running Equestria like we normally do." Princess Celestia said "But we might have to make some changes based on who turns out to be releated to Star Swirl the Bearded."

A few hours later one of the royal guards entered the throne room. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had just finished the royal court. "The results are in." he said.

"So what did you find?" Princess Celestia asked.

"According to the database search the three descendants of Spectrum and Star Song that are still alive today are Princess Twilight Sparkle, Prince Shining Armor, and a traveling mare by the name of Trixie Lulamoon.

Princess Celestia was speechless.

"Did you make sure to mark the results down as proof?" Princess Luna asked.

"Yes." the royal guard said "Should I send a message to the three informing them of this?"

"Please do so." Princess Luna said.

"Right away ma'am!" the royal guard said and he took off.

Princess Celestia was still speechless. Her former student had been a descendant of Star Swirl the Bearded the whole time and she had never known.

Urgent Memo

Wasting no time letters were sent out to each of the three descendants. A few more guards decided to do more database searchs to check and make sure that there weren't any more descendants that they had missed.

Meanwhile in the town of Ponyville Princess Twilight and her friends were enjoying the fine spring weather. In fact they liked it so much they decided to host another picnic. This time they were hoping that something wouldn't come along to ruin it.

"Seriously girls I can't thank you enough for sticking by me." Twilight said "I never thought being a Princess could be so challenging."

"Well if anyone's cut out for the job it's certainly you." Applejack said.

"Not to mention our reputations are improving big time now that everyone knows we're friends with Equestria's newest Princess." Rainbow Dash said "It wouldn't surprise me if The Wonderbolts started asking for my autograph."

"Speak for yourself Rainbow Dash." Rarity said "Ever since the coronation I've been swamped with order after order."

"I thought you wanted more attention Rarity." Twilight said.

"I do but it's come with a price." Rarity said "I am glad that the orders are slowing down a little bit though."

"Business at Sugarcube Corner has been booming lately" Pinkie Pie said "The Cakes and I can barely keep up with all the orders. We might have to open another Sugarcube Corner soon."

"Another Sugarcube Corner?" Fluttershy asked "But who would run it?"

"Me of course." Pinkie Pie said "Though I'd probably need at least two other ponies to go into business with me."

"I've been thinking the same thing Pinkie." Applejack said "Big Macintosh and I have been getting a lot of customers at our apple stand and it's getting harder for the two of us to run it."

"What about you Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash asked "Has Twilight's coronation helped you out at all?"

"Well not really." Fluttershy said "Not that I really mind. For right now though I've got bigger things to worry about. It's mating season and a lot of my animals have been very busy, if you know what I mean."

"I see." Twilight said "Well I'm just glad that our friendship hasn't changed now that I'm a Princess and all."

"That's because on the inside you're still the same old loveable egghead that we all know." Rainbow Dash said.

"Indeed I am." Twilight said "By the way I was thinking of making you all my royal advisors, but I wanted to get your approvel first."

"Are you kidding? We'd all love to help you out!" Applejack said "You didn't even need to ask."

"Glad to hear that." Twilight said "I'll bring it up the next time I'm in Canterlot for royal business."

Just then Spike came racing towards the blanket, panting fiercely.

"Talk about Deja Vu." Twilight thought to herself.

"I just got this important scroll from the Princesses." Spike said "You should probably read it right away."

Twilight did so and what she read shocked her. "We're related to her?" she said outloud.

"What is it?" Applejack asked.

"Is something wrong?" Rarity asked.

"Well no but" Twilight said.

"But what?" her friends asked.

"You're not gonna believe this but apparently Shining Armor and I are related to Star Swirl the Bearded." Twilight said "As is turns out he had two daughters named Spectrum and Star Song and according to a database search my mother happens to be connected to them."

"Well I suppose that explains why you have such a knack for learning new spells." Rarity said "But I don't see why this is so shocking."

"This scroll also says that Trixie is a descendant of Star Swirl as well. She's connected through her father who was the greatest magician of his time." Twilight explained.

All of her friends and Spike traded shocked looks.

"Yeah I know." Twilight said "And apparently her grandfather and my grandfather are related, so that means my biggest rival just happens to also be one of my cousins that I've only now found out about."

"You're joking right?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I wish I was but I'm not." Twilight said "Don't believe me? Take a look for yourself."

Rainbow Dash did so, the message was legit. "So then what are you going to do now?" she asked.

"Well first I'm going to send a reply confirming that I got the message." Twilight said "Then I'm going to write to Princess Celestia and ask her what she wants me to do. I can only assume that Shining Armor and Trixie have already gotten their messages as well."

"You're so lucky Twilight." Rarity said "First you became Celestia's student, then you became the sister in law of one of the Princesses of Equestria, then you became a Princess yourself, and now you're a descendant of Star Swirl the Bearded. I wish I was related to him."

"Why would you wish for that Rarity?" Applejack asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" Rarity said "A title like that would drum up business for my boutique in no time."

"Careful what you wish for Rarity cause you might just get it." Pinkie Pie said.

"Okay the letter is ready." Twilight said "Spike send it and the reply to Princess Celestia."

"Right." Spike said, he tried to torch the scroll with his flame breath but all he got for his effort was a cloud of smoke. "Sorry." he apologized "Just need a second to catch my breath." After waiting for a little bit he tried again and this time he managed to produce his signature green flame.

A few seconds later he belched out a reply. "That was fast." Twilight said. She wasted no time in unfolding the scroll and reading it.

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

For the time being I simply want you to come to Canterlot. Shining Armor and Trixie have already replied saying that they'll be here. Once you all meet you can decide what your next course of action will be.

Your former teacher,

Princess Celestia

P.S. The database search is still ongoing but we've learned there's at least one more relative present. It's Rarity and as it turns out Trixie's father was her mother's uncle, both of which are the side of the family related to Star Swirl the Bearded

As soon as Rarity heard the news she became light headed and began to spin around, she barely managed to bring her fainting couch (which she'd just gotten back from the cleaners) over to her and collapse on before she fainted.

"Well this is just great." Rainbow Dash said sarcastically.

The Odd Couple (Or Is It Odd Trio?)

It took a long time for Rarity to wake up and even then she looked like she was ready to faint again at any moment. "I'm really related to Star Swirl the Bearded and Trixie?" she said, she could hardly believe it herself.

"Please don't tell me we're all going to have to kiss up to Rarity now that she's a descendant of Star Swirl the Bearded." Applejack said. She could already picture Rarity treating the citizens of Ponyville like servants, asking them to wait on her hoof and foot, tending to her every need. She shuddered at the thought of the image.

"Why Applejack you act as if you've never met me before in my life." Rarity said "I would never do something like that." under her breath she added "Maybe."

"Ooh I should so totally throw you both a party, a 'Twilight is related to Star Swirl the Bearded and she and Trixie and Rarity are cousins Party" Pinkie Pie said "And we'll have games, and dancing, and cake, and punch, and apple bobbing ooh it'll be super duper fun, hm I wonder if Vinyl Scratch would be intrested in performing?"

"There'll be time for parties later Pinkie Pie." Twilight said "For right now I need to get to Canterlot A.S.A.P."

"Before you do that can I ask you something?" Ranbow Dash asked.

"Well as long as it's relevant to what's going on here." Twilight said.

"How come you weren't more surprised at Trixie or even Rarity being your cousin?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Ever since Cadence taught me that technique to help me calm down things don't stress me out as much." Twilight said "And this is pretty stressful stuff."

"You're o.k. though right?" Fluttershy asked "I mean I know that stress isn't healthy even though it happens all the time but you seem to be taking this fairly well."

"I'm fine." Twilight said "Now if you'll excuse I've got a train to catch. Don't worry I'll write to you as soon as I can. Come on Spike let's get going, if we miss the train it'll be a long flight to Canterlot."

"Please take me with you." Rarity pleaded "I want to see the look on that royal pain Prince Blueblood when he finds out I'm related to the newest Princess of Equestria, as well as the Captain of the Royal Guard and one of the greatest unicorns of all time."

"Even if that wasn't your only reason for going I'd still say no." Twilight said "Princess Celestia specifically requested that I come to Canterlot alone."

"Then why are you taking Spike with you?" Rarity asked.

"Because you know how lonely he gets when I'm not around." Twilight said "Besides he's old enough to take care of himself while I tend to a small 'royal duty'. Heck I probably won't even be gone for a really long time, chances are I'll be back before night fall." And with that she and Spike headed for the Ponyville train station.

A short time later the two of them stepped off the train and were instantly greeted with the familar sites of Canterlot, but they had no time for sightseeing.

"Ah Princess Twilight you're here." a royal guard said "Princess Celestia asked that we come and fetch you."

Normally Twilight would've been a little embarassed by this sort of treatment from her former mentor but she was so excited about being related to Star Swirl the Bearded and getting a chance to see her B.B.B.F.F again that she didn't mind. "Lead the way." Twilight instructed.

"Yes your majesty." the royal guard said. Twilight and Spike followed him to Canterlot Castle. "Everyone is waiting for you beyond these doors." the royal guard explained.

"Thank you sir." Twilight said "You're okay with waiting for me out here right Spike?" she asked.

"I guess." Spike said "Just don't take too long."

"I'll try not to." Twilight said. Then taking a deep breath she opened the doors and went into the throne room. She was looking forward to seeing Shining Armor again but she was most certainly not looking forward to seeing Trixie again. Sure Trixie had learned her lesson, but she was still a bragger and her attitude as well as constant refering to herself as either "The Great and Powerful Trixie" or more recently "The Great and Apologetic Trixie" got on Twilight's nerves.

"Twily!" Shining Armor exclaimed happily "I'm so glad to see you again."

"Me too B.B.B.F.F." Twilight said "How's Cadence doing?"

"She's doing fine Twilight." Shining Armor said "She already knows the news, needless to say she's happy for us."

"I expected no less from her." Twilight said.

"Are you two done with your little 'reunion'?" a voice asked "Because The Great and Apologetic Trixie did not come here to see something so cheesy and mushy."

Twilight sighed, trying not to let the words get to her. She already knew who the voice belonged to. "I know you're here Trixie." Twilight said.

"Well of course you'd be right on top of things Twilight Sparkle." Trixie said, stepping out from the shadows "After all I'm sure you were made a princess for a reason."

"Don't tell me you're jealous of my new powers?" Twilight said "I always pegged you as the better mare in these situations."

"Trixie? Jealous? Ha you wish Twilight Sparkle." Trixie said "We may have agreed to bury the hatchet but that doesn't mean we have to like each other."

"You seriously mean to tell me that you still hate me?" Twilight asked.

"Of course Trixie doesn't hate you." Trixie said "But she's certainly not pleased to be related to the likes of you."

"I assure you Trixie the feeling is mutual." Twilight said.

"That's enough you two." Shining Armor said, his face taking on a serious scowl. "I don't care what sort of bad blood you two have going on between each other but I'm not going to put up with it. There will be NO fighting or chidlish arguing going on here, is that clear?!"

"Yes sir." the two mares said.

"Trixie still doesn't trust you." Trixie said under her breath.

"Same here." Twilight replied. The two mares proceed to cast angry glares at each other. They didn't dare do anything else though out of respect for Shining Armor as well as fear of what he might do."

"Ah good you're all here." Princess Celestia said.

"Is there a reason why you called us all here to Canterlot?" Trixie asked "It had better be good or else this will be a complete waste of Trixie's time?"

"I called you all here simply to notify you that the Museum of Ancient Pony History here in Canterlot is going to open a Star Swirl the Bearded exhibit soon." Princess Celestia said.

"And you'd like us to attend the opening ceremony right?" Twilight asked.

"I would like you to but only if you really want to and not because I said so." Princess Celestia said "I will understand if any of you do not wish to show up."

"Well you can bet I'll be there." Twilight said "I always did love Star Swirl the Bearded's works."

"I'm pretty sure Cadence won't mind if I attend." Shining Armor said "After all I'm sure she'd love having some more me time."

"Don't expect to see Trixie there." Trixie said "The Great and Humble Trixie has bigger things to worry about then some silly museum exhibit."

"Silly?" Twilight said "Why you"

"Let it go Twily." Shining Armor said "If she doesn't want to attend she doesn't have to. She can make her own decisions."

"Trixie couldn't have said it better herself." Trixie said "And Trixie hopes that she never has to hear from either of you again. Oh and Twilight Sparkle make sure you tell your friend or should I say 'cousin' Rarity to stay away from me if she knows what's good for her." Trixie stormed out of the throne room, not even bothering to look back.

"I thought she'd changed after the Alicorn Amulet incident." Twilight said "I guess I was wrong."

"Come on Twily don't let her get under your skin." Shining Armor said "She probably always will think she's the best thing since sliced bread."

"That's the understatemtent of the year." Twilight said "Trixie thinks she's all that and a bag of chips and the whole wide world of Equestria should know it."

"Just don't let her get to you." Shining Armor said "If she wants to be left alone then we must respect her decision. Besides we already have plently of family."

"You're right. But I just thought we'd finally have a chance to patch things up." Twilight said.

"Well you never know what the future holds." Shining Armor said.

"True that." Twilight said.

Meanwhile Trixie had stormed right past Spike without even noticing him, right now the only thing she wanted to do was get as far away from Twilight Sparkle as possible. However upon exiting the castle she was surronded by reporters.

"Trixie is it true that your hat and cloak draw inspiration from Star Swirl himself?" a reporter asked.

"Uh" Trixie said.

"Trixie is it true that your mother happens to be a descendant of Princess Clover?" another reporter asked.

"What?!" Trixie said.

"Trixie will you and your other relatives be present for the grand opening of the new Star Swirl the Bearded exhibit?" a third reported asked.

"Of course." Shining Armor said, stepping out, much to the shock of Twilight and Trixie. "In fact the three of us will stay right here in Canterlot until then. But I'm not going to tell you where we'll be staying."

Twilight and Trixie looked at each other. They couldn't believe what they'd just heard. "I can't believe I'm going to be stuck with her." the two of them thought to themselves.

Author's Note

And now we have the main plot that will bring this unlikely trio together. A museum exhibit dedicated to Star Swirl the Bearded.

As seen here Shining Armor will be serving as the unoffical peace keeper between Twilight and Trixie. After all it wouldn't be fair if he sided with his little sister all the time now would it?

As for why Trixie is back to acting the way she did in "Boast Busters" well I'm not going to spoil it but let's just say she has a reason. Don't worry by the end you will probably notice a change in Trixie's behavior.

Next chapter, our trio settles in and we get to learn about two more relatives. Also we get to see how Rarity's new status affects Ponyville.

Settling in and checking up

As soon as the reporters had left Twilight pulled Shining Armor aside. "I just have one question for you B.B.B.F.F" Twilight said "How in your right mind could possibly expect Trixie and I to get along while we stay in Canterlot?!"

"Look Twily I know you have some bad blood with Trixie but she's part of the family now." Shining Armor said "And we need to try and get to know her a little better."

"For as long as I've known Trixie she's been nothing but trouble." Twilight said "You can't possibly expect the two of us to just get along."

"Well perhaps if you two get to know each other a little bit perhaps you'll find something you have in common." Shining Armor said.

"No way no how. In fact I fail to see how we have anything in common" Twilight said "Trixie has been a pain in the flank for as long as I can remember."

"Perhaps you'd like to explain to me why you feel that way." Shining Armor said "At least so I know what's going on between the two of you."

Twilight sighed and took a deep breath. "Where do I even begin?" she asked.

"From the begining sounds nice." Shining Armor said.

"It was a rhetorical question." Twilight said "Anyway I first met Trixie not long after I'd moved into Ponyville. She showed up in the center of town and from the start she was bragging on and on about how she was so great and powerful, though I admit my friends may have been a little harsh on her. Somehow a story that she made up prompted Snips and Snails to bring an Ursa Minor into town, and Trixie was lucky to escape with her life. When I went to offer her a hoof however she ran off. I didn't see her again until a few months ago, when she showed up in town wearing the Alicorn Amulet. She wanted revenge against me and challenged me to a magic duel. When she beat me she threw me out of town and took over. I eventually managed to defeat her again and trick her into removing the Alicorn Amulet, and she seemed to feel sorry for what she'd done under the Amulet's influence. I really hoped she had changed when she started calling herself 'The Great and Apologetic Trixie'. I should've known it was all a lie."

"Sounds to me like she's your rival." Shining Armor said.

"She wishes." Twilight said "I was more then a match for her on my own terms when I was just a unicorn, and I could easily wipe the floor with her if I wanted to now that I'm an alicorn. Wow I'm already letting her get to me. See what I mean?"

"Well regardless I think she has a reason for the way she's been acting since you got here. And I'm confident that if we spend a little time getting to know her better we'll know what that reason is." Shining Armor said.

"That's got to be the craziest idea you've ever come up with." Twilight said "And do you honestly think it's going to work?"

"Well not a hundred percent." Shining Armor said "But at the least even if it doesn't work we can't say we didn't try."

"You're really set on this decision aren't you?" Twilight asked.

"Yep." Shining Armor said "And don't even think about trying to talk me out of it."

"I won't." Twilight said "Now I'd better go find Spike and let him know about the change of plans."

"Do that." Shining Armor said "I'll see if I can pry any information out of Trixie."

"Good luck, you'll need it." Twilight said "But if you ask me you'll never get anywhere with her. She's as stubborn as a mule." Twilight looked around.

"What are you looking for?" Shining Armor asked.

"In the past whenever anyone's used mule in a sentence a mule always shows up." Twilight explained "And we always say 'No offense' and the mule always says 'None taken.'"

"Twilight this is Canterlot remember?" Shining Armor said.

"So that doesn't mean there aren't any mules living here." Twilight said.

"Whatever I'm not even going to bother arguing with you on that." Shining Armor said, resisting the urge to facehoof "Just go already."

"I'll be back soon." Twilight said and she took off.

"I'll let you know if I find out anything." Shining Armor said.

Spike was starting to grow impatient. "Why hasn't Twilight told me anything yet? I mean she just walked right past me, and only a few seconds after Trixie did the same thing. What am I chopped celery?" he said to himself.

"Hi Spike." Twilight said.

"Oh, look who finally decided to come looking for me." Spike said sarcastically.

"Spike look I'm sorry okay." Twilight apologized "A lot happened all at once and you kind of slipped my mind."

"Oh sure That explains it." Spike said sarcastically.

"I'm serious." Twilight said "And I'll make it up to you I promise, but for right I need you to know that there's been a slight change of plans."

"What did you do?" Spike asked.

"Hey don't look at me" Twilight said "it was Shining Armor's idea that him, me, and Trixie should stay in Canterlot until that Star Swirl the Bearded exhibit opens up in about a week and a half."

"What?!" Spike asked.

"I know can you believe it?" Twilight said "Anyway I figured I'd come and get you seeing as you're probably going to want to stay with me."

"As long as Trixie doesn't try to use me as a basketball again I'm all for staying here." Spike said.

"Glad to hear that Spike." Twilight said "And don't worry I'll make sure to send a letter to Ponyville asking how things are going."

"I just hope Rarity hasn't started rubbing her title in everyone's face." Spike said.

Twilight was shocked.

"Hey just because I'm in love with her doesn't mean I think she's perfect." Spike said "But in fact I'm more worried about you then her."

"And why is that?" Twilight asked.

"Because you have to put up with Trixie." Spike said.

"Thanks for reminding me of that fact Spike." Twilight said sarcastically "Now come on let's go. We should try to find Shining Armor and Trixie before it gets dark."

About an hour later Twilight, Shining Armor, and Trixie along with Spike were setting foot in an abandoned building close by the Museum of Ancient Pony History. When Twilight assured Spike he'd get his own bed to sleep in and not a basket Spike was thrilled and started cheering loudly.

"Don't make me regret my decission Spike." Twilight said "I could always teleport back to Ponyville and grab your basket."

"Come on Twilight this is my first bed that I get to have all to myself." Spike said.

"Just please keep it down." Shining Armor said "There are neighbors nearby and I'm pretty sure they don't like really loud noises."

"Okay, okay I'll tone it down a little sheesh." Spike said.

"So who's sleeping where?" Trixie asked "The Great and Powerful Trixie would prefer not to sleep in the same room as Twilight."

"We'll each get our own room." Shining Armor said.

"I'll take that one." Twilight said pointing towards a door in the middle of the hallway.

"I'll take the one next to it." Shining Armor said.

"So will I." Spike said.

"Then Trixie shall sleep at the end of the hallway." Trixie said "And none of you had better disturb Trixie's beauty sleep if you know what's good for you." She headed to her room and closed the door.

"So did you find out anything?" Twilight asked Shining Armor.

"Not yet." Shining Armor said "She's a tough nut to crack but we've got plently of time to learn more about her."

"Well you two can do whatever you want but me I'm going to bed." Spike said.

"See you in the morning Spike." Twilight said.

"Well what are you going to do?" Shining Armor asked.

"I'm going to write a letter to my friends in Ponyville and see how things are going there. Did you know that Rarity is also related to Star Swirl the Bearded?"

"You're kidding right?" Shining Armor said.

"Trust me I'm not." Twilight said.

"Well just don't stay up too late." Shining Armor said.

"I'm not a little kid anymore Shining" Twilight said "I can take care of myself."

"Well from what I've heard you once went a whole week without sleeping after a visit from your future self." Shining Armor said, chuckling a little.

"Don't remind me." Twilight said.

"Just saying is all." Shining Armor said "Good night Twily."

"Good night B.B.B.F.F." Twilight said she then set to work on writing the letter. She wanted to make sure she included her location so her friends could contact her with any updates. Finally after nearly an hour of writing and revising the letter was ready. As Twilight slipped it into the mailbox outside a thought came to her mind "I wonder if my cousin Vinyl Scratch is related to Star Swirl the Bearded as well?"

Meanwhile, back in Ponyville

Applejack woke up the next morning to find that nothing had changed. Much to her relief. She headed downstairs and joined her family for breakfast. Apple Bloom did mention how shocked Sweetie Belle had been to hear the news. She also mentioned that Sweetie Belle had told her about how Rarity's parents were proud of her, even if Rarity was a little cross with them for not telling her she was related to Trixie. But other then that breakfast passed uneventfully.

Before heading out to the fields to start working Applejack checked the mailbox and was surprised to find a letter inside. Usually the only thing that came through it were bills but Applejack knew it wasn't that time of the month yet.

She opened the envelope. It it was a casual letter from Twilight.

Hey Applejack

Through a series of intresting events Shining Armor has convinced Spike and I to stay in Canterlot with him and Trixie for the next week and a half. Yeah, I'm not really looking forward to it but who knows maybe Trixie will surprise me?

Anyway I just though I'd check in and see how things are going in Ponyville.

Please pass this letter on to the rest of our friends and tell them I'm thinking about them. Also make sure that anyone who wishes to contact me does so at 1600 Star Swirl Avenue in Canterlot.

Thanks,

Twilight

Applejack simply shook her head. She knew Trixie wasn't a bad pony but after everything Trixie had done to her she sure as heck didn't just forgive and forget. But she couldn't focus on that, Twilight had asked her for a favor and Applejack never let a friend down.

After finishing her chores for the day Applejack called Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity over to Sweet Apple Acres where she promptly showed them the letter.

"Figures that Trixie would cause trouble." Rainbow Dash said.

"Let's not talk about her okay?" Rarity asked "It's bad enough that I'm related to her, I don't want to be reminded of the fact."

"Okay." Rainbow Dash, slightly disturbed by the hint of annoyance in Rarity's voice.

"So um what's it like being related to Star Swirl the Bearded Rarity?" Fluttershy asked.

"It's simply, The, Best, Possible, Thing." Rarity said "You would not believe how many ponies have come flocking to Carousel Boutique now that they know who I am. In fact Filthy Rich himself showed up and offered to promote my business."

"Sounds intresting I guess." Rainbow Dash said.

"So can we go and visit Twilight while she's in Canterlot? Can we, can we, huh huh, can we, can we?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"If she's in staying in Canterlot then she must have a good reason." Rarity said "And whatever it is we should respect it. I'm sure if it wasn't important she would've come back to Ponyville."

"Ah, but we are at least going to send her a reply right?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"Yep." Applejack said "But before I do I thought I'd ask if there's anything exciting going on around here. So is there?"

"Nope." Rainbow Dash said.

"No signs of trouble from The Everfree Forest." Fluttershy said.

"Haven't seen anything." Pinkie Pie said.

"Well I'm starting to get more customers then I know what to do with." Rarity said "But other then that I haven't seen or heard anything of intrest."

"Good." Applejack said "Looks like for once we're actually going to get some peace and quiet."

"I wouldn't bet on it." Pinkie Pie said, but she said it so softly that no one overheard her. She had done so on purpose, she really wanted everyone else to believe things were going well. But she'd just now started getting a strange feeling that told her things were about to take a turn for the worse, and that somehow Rarity would be at the center of it. She just didn't know when.

"Well then I'll send her a reply first thing in the morning." Applejack said "Oh and by the way make sure if you have anything you want to tell Twilight you send a letter yourselves.

"I'll keep that in mind." Rarity said.

"As will I." Pinkie Pie said.

"Me too." Rainbow Dash said.

"And me as well." Fluttershy said.

"Alright then seeing as there's nothing else let's go our seperate ways." Applejack said "At least until something comes up or until Twilight comes back."

And they did. Life soon went back to being normal for Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack but not for Rarity. Rarity was swamped with all the customers that came flocking to her and although she was trying her best to be humble she was letting some of the attention go straight to her head. Needless to say she was bummed when she served her last customer for the day.

"If this keeps up I'm gonna have to increase my business hours. I just hope I don't have to put up a 'Help Wanted' sign. Hm perhaps Fluttershy would be willing to help if it worse comes to worse" she thought to herself.

The next morning Applejack was preparing to write her reply to Twilight and tell her all was quiet on the Ponyville front. Just as she was about to do so however Rainbow Dash crash landed right in front of her. "Are you alright Rainbow Dash?!" Applejack asked "You almost gave me a heart attack."

"Sorry, about, that, Applejack." Rainbow Dash said in between pants. It was obvious she was out of breath, probably from flying all the way to Sweet Apple Acres for reasons Applejack did not yet know.

"What's wrong RD?" Applejack asked "Why are you so out of breath?"

"No time to explain!" Rainbow Dash said "Something's going on in the center of town and it doesn't look good! Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy are already there!"

"What about Rarity?!" Applejack asked.

"I didn't see her!" Rainbow Dash said.

"Then there's no time to lose!" Applejack said, making sure her trademark stentson rested firmly on her head "Lead the way Rainbow Dash!"

"With pleasure!" Rainbow Dash and she and Applejack sped off.

Author's Note

Yes I know, a Cliff Hanger. Go ahead and tell me how evil I am.

Tune in next time to find what's going on but until then see if you can guess who's stirring up trouble.

Ah trouble, my old friend

Rainbow Dash and Applejack raced as fast as their legs could carry them into the center of Ponyville. Applejack couldn't see any signs of trouble though. "You aren't leading me on a wild goose chase by any chance are you?" Applejack asked Rainbow Dash.

"I'm telling ya I saw signs of trouble and I mean big trouble." Rainbow Dash said "Look there."

Applejack couldn't believe her eyes, ponies were bowing down left and right in front of Rarity. Something was wrong.

"That's right bow down before me." Rarity said "After all I am a descendant of Star Swirl the Bearded and I would expect no less."

"I can't believe it but I actually called it. Rarity let all that glory go to her head." Applejack said.

"Well what are we suppose to do now?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"It's simple we round up our friends and anyone brave enough to support us and talk some sense into Rarity." Applejack said.

"That's easier said then done." Rainbow Dash said "Just take a look around."

Everypony in Ponyville including The Mayor was bowing to Rarity. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were among them.

"Why is everyone simply bowing to her?" Applejack asked "I mean I get that she's a descendant of Star Swirl the Bearded but I don't think that would just prompt them to bow down."

As if to answer her question Rarity pointed towards a random pony in the crowd. "You there. Why are you not bowing down?"

"Maybe because I don't feel like it." the pony replied. Applejack and Rainbow Dash couldn't make out who it was but the voice told them it was most certainly female.

"You dare defy me?!" Rarity said "I'd think twice if I were you. With my new title I could easily ruin your reputation, nopony within a hundred miles would come near you."

"You think so huh?" the pony asked "Well go ahead and do your worst, I'll never bow to the likes of you. I only bow to the Princesses and last time I checked you weren't one of them."

"Don't say I didn't warn you." Rarity said "My loyal followers, show this mare what happens to those who refuse to respect me."

Applejack and Rainbow Dash could only watch as the crowd began to close in on the mare. "We've got to do something!" Rainbow Dash said.

"But what can we do?" Applejack asked "If we oppose Rarity we'll suffer the same fate as that mare."

"Well perhaps Rarity will come to her senses when she sees that two of her friends are opposing her." Rainbow Dash said and flew off.

"Rainbow Dash No!" Applejack shouted and ran after her. Somehow the two of them managed to get to the mare before Rarity and the crowd did. The mare was a unicorn with a mint green coat, mane, and tail, with a golden lyre for a cutie mark.

"What's this?" Rarity asked "Do you two mean to tell me that you support this mare?"

"You bet we are." Applejack said "We're not going to just lay down and let you treat us like dirt! Isn't that right Rainbow Dash?"

"Yeah!" Rainbow Dash said (Somewhere a certain pegasus stallion got the strangest feeling but he quickly dismissed it) "We ain't afraid of you!"

"Oh you will be." Rarity said "Isn't that right my followers?"

"No one insults Miss. Rarity and gets away with." a stallion said.

"Traitors must be destroyed!" another pony said.

"Rarity please, stop this foolishness." Applejack pleaded "You're acting worse then when you were under the influence of Discord."

"Oh Applejack, you and your short sighted views." Rarity said "These ponies here have chosen to worship me on their own free will."

"And by that you mean you 'Forced' them to!" Rainbow Dash said.

"Your claims are as foolish as you are Rainbow Dash." Rarity said "I can't be blamed for the decisions that other ponies make. If they chose to follow me then it was their choice alone, I simply helped them make up their mind."

"Rarity I'm begging you, please stop!" Applejack pleaded "This isn't like you."

"Face it Applejack there is nothing you can say or do that will convince me." Rarity said "Now please stand aside and let me deal with this pathetic fool that dares to be stupid and defies me."

"Come on guys you've got to support us!" Rainbow Dash said "Surely you recognize this has gone too far right Fluttershy? Right Pinkie Pie?"

Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie said nothing. They knew Rainbow Dash had a point but they were too scared of what Rarity would do them to say anything. They also knew that Rarity could potentially brainwash them if they resisted.

"You see? You're all alone." Rarity said "So what's going to be? Are you going to stand down or do I have to make you?"

"Catch us if you can Rarity!" Rainbow Dash said and she, Applejack, and the unicorn took off. They raced through the crowds and headed for Sweet Apple Acres.

"What are you waiting for?! After them!" Rarity shouted. The crowd didn't need to be told twice.

"Thank Celestia you two showed up when you did." The unicorn said while running "It's nice to know I'm not the only one who thinks Rarity's antics have gone too far."

"Who are you?" Applejack asked.

"Name's Heartstrings, Lyra Heartstrings to be precise." Lyra said "I know all about you and your friends."

"Why are you opposing Rarity?" Rainbow Dash asked "Rarity seems to have the whole town under her influence.

"Because Rarity's taken something very dear to me." Lyra said.

"What's that?" Applejack asked.

"My best friend Bon-Bon." Lyra said "She went into town to pick up groceries but she never came back."

"Rarity must have gotten to her." Applejack said "She's really letting this whole descendant of Star Swirl the Bearded go to her head."

"No way!" Lyra gasped "She was telling the truth? I thought she was just making it up."

"As much as we wish we weren't we are." Rainbow Dash said "Why's this so shocking to you? The whole town should know by now."

"Because I happen to be a descendant of Star Swirl the Bearded as well." Lyra said.

"For real?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Yep." Lyra said "I just got a notifcation this morning. And apparently my great grandmother was a hoofmaiden for the Princesses."

"Wow that's amazing. Too bad you're related to so many other unicorns." Rainbow Dash said "I can name three more besides Rarity off the top of my head."

"Not to change the subject but what are we going to do when we reach Sweet Apple Acres?" Lyra asked.

"We're going to send a letter to Twilight and have her come down here and fix this mess." Applejack said "At this point she's the only one I can think of other then Princess Celestia or Princess Luna who can solve this problem."

"And you think she can help us?" Lyra asked.

"Let's hope so." Applejack said "Otherwise we're doomed."

"Hey look there's Sweet Apple Acres now!" Rainbow Dash called out. And she was right, the signature barn was still off in the distance but that distance was getting shorter and shorter with each passing second as was the noise of the crowd.

"We have them now!" The Mayor shouted.

"Quick to the Anti-Mob Shelter!" Rainbow Dash said.

"There is no Anti-Mob Shelter here!" Applejack said.

"So what do we do?" Lyra asked.

"We're gonna go inside and lock the doors and windows. That should buy us some time!" Applejack said.

"Good idea!" Lyra said. Wasting no time the three did just that. A few seconds later the crowd began pounding on the front door.

"We have you surronded!" Rarity declared "Come out with your hooves over your head!"

"Ain't any of them darn whipper snappers ever heard of the term beauty sleep?" Granny Smith said "In my day we never had any of these sort of things going on."

"Where are Apple Bloom and Big Macintosh?" Applejack asked.

"Now don't you worry about them Applejack." Granny Smith said "They took off as soon as they saw the crowd coming. They're probably hiding out in the barn with Winona, waiting for the crowd to go away."

"That's good to hear." Applejack said.

"Me personally I don't give a hoot about all this Star Swirl the Bearded nonsense. It's just a bunch of hoopla over nothing." Granny Smith said "Though I admit you and your friends certainly know how to liven things up around here. It seems like there's never a dull moment anymore. I know for a fact that Ponyville was never this active back in my day."

"Granny Smith you never cease to amuse me." Applejack said and set to work on writing a letter.

Twilight please come quickly!

Rarity's gone crazy and she's somehow made the whole town into her own personal army! You've got to put a stop to this nonsense before somepony gets hurt!

By the way we've found out that Lyra Heartstrings is also a descendant of Star Swirl the Bearded.

Applejack

"How are we gonna get that letter to Twilight?" Rainbow Dash asked "Even if there's an avialable pegasus that crowd will jump on us the instant we set foot outside."

"We need a distraction." Lyra Heartstrings said "And I volunteer to be said distraction."

"Are you crazy?!" Applejack said "There's no telling what the crowd will do to you!"

"Well it's either that or we wait until Rarity orders them to break down the door and swarm this place." Lyra said "At least this way we've got a chance of getting through to Twilight."

Rainbow Dash and Applejack couldn't aruge with that. Reluctantly they allowed Lyra to go out.

"Look here comes Lyra now!" a pony in the crowd shouted.

"Do you surrender?" Rarity asked.

"Not on your life!" Lyra said.

"Then you leave me no choice." Rarity said "Get her!"

The crowd pounced on Lyra who proceeded to use her magic and her hooves to try and fend off her attackers. If she was only intrested in herself she could've teleported away before anypony could stop her, but alas she was only trying to buy time for Rainbow Dash to fly out to the mail box and drop off the letter.

It worked like a charm. Everyone was so focused on Lyra that they didn't notice a Rainbow blur zip past them, head straight to the mail box, and come back.

"The letter's in the box." Rainbow Dash said "Now all we can do is wait and hope for the best."

Lyra fought valiantly and lasted for quite a long time. But in the end she was captured and brought before Rarity. "It's not too late to save yourself you know." she said, a hint of deviousness in her voice "If you agree to bow down to me and help me capture the remaining traitors I might spare you."

"I said it once and I'll say it again, I will never bow to the likes of you." Lyra said "Do your worst Rarity."

"Okay you asked for it." Rarity said. She whistled to two stallions who brought forth a wooden desk. Rarity gave them Lyra's measurements and they proceeded to drill three holes. One big hole in the center for Lyra's head and two smaller ones nearby for her hooves. Once the holes were finished Rarity used her magic to push Lyra through them.

"Let this serve as a warning to others." Rarity said "Anypony foolish enough to resist me shall suffer the same fate." The loud cheers of the crowd that followed would've made the royal Canterlot voice sound pale by comparison.

"Please get here soon Twilight." Applejack thought to herself "Cause I don't know how long we can hold out."

Author's Note

Talk about a wham chapter eh? Sounds like a lot of hoopla over a little gentics right? Heh, heh, heh. WRONG!

Don't worry Rarity will get what's coming to her and she'll pay for what she's done. I promise you. You can put down those shotguns now.

Gearing up

As luck would have it Rarity and the crowd focused entirely on Sweet Apple Acres itself but never though to guard the mailbox. In all the chaos Derpy was able to slip in undetected, retrieve the mail, and take off.

The letter came as a shock to everyone, even Trixie.

"This is bad, this is bad, this is just so bad." Twilight said pacing nervously back and forth. She had already tried to calm down but the news had her so stressed that she couldn't concentrate on it.

Trixie was thrilled "This is too rich." she said "At long last the mighty Twilight Sparkle has hit her breaking point."

"Oh I am funny to you?!" Twilight asked "Well why don't you come over here and I'll be funny to your face!"

"Twily please calm down." Shining Armor said, he'd been in tougher situtations as Captain of the Royal Guard but he knew he couldn't solve this problem without help.

"Calm down? Calm down?!" Twilight asked "My friend has just gone completly crazy and has started an angry mob for crying out loud! How can you possibly expect me to calm down?!"

"He's got a point there Twilight." Spike said "You're no help to anyone like this."

"Not you too Spike!" Twilight said.

"Hey I'm just telling it like it is." Spike said.

"Twily please focus." Shining Armor said "Remember that trick Cadence taught you."

"I'm too stressed to think straight!" Twilight said "No thanks to Trixie!"

"Oh sure blame Trixie for your problems." Trixie said sarcastically "It's not like The Great and Powerful Trixie hasn't gotten enough on her plate already."

"Then why the hay have you been driving me crazy all this time?!" Twilight asked.

"Because you make it too easy Twilight." Trixie said "And here The Great and Powerful Trixie thought you were made a Princess for a reason."

"Leave Twily alone." Shining Armor said "I don't care what happened between the two of you, it's in the past. So please put your differences aside and start acting like the reponsible mares you're suppose to be!"

Twilight and Spike were shocked. They'd only seen this side of Shining Armor once before, during his wedding when he was about to marry Queen Chrysalis disguised as Cadence.

"Twilght focus yourself and calm down." Shining Armor said "We need to come up with a plan and you're the best mare for the job. But we can't do that if you run around like a chicken with its head chopped off."

Shining Armor's words proved to be very powerful to Twilight, and she was finally able to remember the deep breathing trick from Cadence. Slowly she took a deep breath and then let it out and repeated this until she had calmed down completly.

Shining Armor turned to Trixie "As for you I ask that you stop constantly making life miserable for Twilight. I didn't want to believe that what she said was true, I thought that you were actually a nice pony on the inside."

"Well it looks like you thought wrong." Trixie said "And for the record Trixie does not recall asking for your pity."

"If you're going to be that way then you can just leave." Shining Armor said "For right now Twilight needs a chance to think and you're not going to help matters."

"You think Trixie is incapable of being silent?" Trixie asked "If she has to The Great and Powerful Trixie can say nothing."

"Then please do so starting now." Shining Armor said "And I suggest you keep quiet until Twilight comes up with a plan."

Trixie was silent and allowed Twilight to think. But coming up with a plan that didn't involve all out war proved to be harder then expected for Twilight. Every time she came up with a new plan she ended up discarding it a short time later saying "No that will never work." or "That will only make things worse."

Several minutes passed and the atmosphere became tense. "Come on Twilight if anyone can think of a way out of this mess you can." Spike said "Believe in yourself, like you always have. I know you'll find an answer."

Another minute passed without Twilight saying anything. Then suddenly Twilight shouted "That's it! That's what we need to do!"

"So what's your plan?" Shining Armor asked.

"Well first things first." Twilight said "Spike reluctantly I think it's for the best if you stay here. I don't think you'll want to see the way Rarity is acting right now."

"Well if you say so." Spike said glumly "I wish there was something I could do to help."

"I know this isn't easy for you Spike." Twilight said "And it's the same thing with me." She then turned to Shining Armor and Trixie "The two of us are going to head to town and try to talk some sense into Rarity."

"But why do you need both of us?" Shining Armor asked.

"Couldn't you and your brother deal with this on your own?" Trixie asked.

"Unfortunately no." Twilight said "As much as it pains me to say this you play an important part in ensuring this plan's sucess."

"What sort of role could you possbily expect The Great and Powerful Trixie to play?" Trixie asked.

"We going to make a grand entrance then I'm going to fire off a warning blast that will hopefully frigthen away most of Rarity's supporters." Twilight said "Shining Armor will then cast a shield spell to ensure that Rarity can't escape and bring reinforcements."

"You make it sound like we're going to war." Shining Armor said.

"Well I thought this was the best way to explain our roles." Twilight said "Anyway Trixie in addition to helping with the entrance you're going to serve as a distraction, you'll draw the remaining supporters away from Shining Armor so he can keep up the magic barrier. Once Rarity is all alone I'll close in on her and make sure she sees the error of her ways."

"And you really think that will work Twilight Sparkle?" Trixie asked.

"Hey if you've got a better idea I'm all ears!" Twilight said. Trixie said nothing. "I take it there are no other objections?" Twilight asked. Shining Armor and Spike shook their heads. "Good." Twilight said.

"Well then let's not waste any time and move out!" Shining Armor said.

"You two can go ahead and tangle with Rarity to your heart's contet Trixie is staying right here." Trixie said.

"Oh really?" Twilight asked "And who made you boss?"

"No one, Trixie is her own boss." Trixie said "But let me know how your plan turns out."

"Trixie how can you act so insensitive?!" Twilight asked "Do you not care about anypony besides yourself?!"

"Sorry Twilight Sparkle." Trixie said "But The Great and Powerful Trixie learned a very harsh lesson early on in her life, and that is to trust no one. The only pony you can ever trust is yourself. That's how the world works."

"Trixie Rarity is part of your new family for Celestia's sake!" Twilight said "Do you not care about what she's doing?! Are you going to just stand by and let her do what she wants?!"

"Maybe Trixie does and and maybe Trixie doesn't." Trixie said "But it's none of your concern."

"But Trixie!" Twilight pleaded. Shining Armor put a hoof in front of her.

"Just forget it Twily." Shining Armor said "It's obvious she doesn't want to help us. She's her own mare and she can make her own decisions, even if they're the wrong ones."

"Nice to see that somepony agrees with Trixie for a change." Trixie said "Now you two had best be on your way. Let Trixie know how it went."

"We will." Shining Armor said "But I hope you realzie you had a chance to make a name for yourself. You had a chance to be the big dang hero. You had a chance to do the right thing. And you chose not to do it. All I can say at this point is I hope you're very pleased with yourself. Before long all of Equestria will likely know you as Trixie the Coward, She Who Ran Away." He and Twilight headed for the train station, determined not to waste anymore time on what they deemed to be a lost cause.

"Go ahead and do what you want." Trixie said "Don't think you can make Trixie feel sorry for herself."

"Well if I had more time I'd gladly ask you how you can look in the mirror each morning and call yourself a living being." Shining Armor said harshly "But I won't hold my breath."

Not long after Shining Armor and Twilight had left the words from earlier as well as from the last few minutes floated in her head. She kept trying to shrug them off, trying to convince herself that she didn't have a problem, that everyone else did. But it was no use, the harsh words reached deep inside of her and for the first time in a long while Trixie felt something she had never felt before. "So this is what it feels like to care for others." she thought to herself. She knew at once what she had to do and set off.

"Hey where are you going?" Spike asked.

"To do what must be done." Trixie said.

Author's Note

This doesn't fully explain Trixie's antics but rest assured that next chapter you'll finally get your answer.

And next turn karma will pay Rarity a little visit to collect a debt.

Also I just finished watching Oz The Great and Powerful and it's amazing how similar some of the events in my previous chapter are to events in the movie. Talk about hillarious in hindsight.

Karma is best judge

"How are we going to deal with Rarity without Trixie's help?" Twilight asked Shining Armor as they approached the Canterlot train station.

"We'll just have to do the best we can." Shining Armor said "I hope we're not too late."

"We can't think like that B.B.B.F.F." Twilight said "For now we need to focus. One mistake could spell disaster for us all."

"I just hope Cadence doesn't hear about this." Shining Armor said "She's got enough problems to deal with as it is."

The two of them reached the train station and they were shocked to see a familar figure. "Three tickets for the next train to Ponyville please." the figure said.

"It can't be." Twilight said.

"But it is." Shining Armor said.

"Right that's three tickets so that'll be 60 bits." the ticket seller said.

"60 bits coming right up." the figure said and levitated a sack full of exactly 60 bits to the counter.

"Thank you." the ticket seller said "The next train leaves in about 20 minutes."

"Trixie shall keep that in mind." the figure said as the ticket seller gave her the tickets. She then walked away from the ticket stand.

"Trixie?!" Twilight and Shining Armor said at once. They could hardly believe their eyes and ears.

"Ah you're here." Trixie said "Good, Trixie doesn't like to be kept waiting."

"How and what are you doing here?" Twilight asked.

"Trixie teleported here of course." Trixie said.

"You teleported?" Shining Armor asked.

"Yep though Trixie is still getting the hang of it." Trixie said "As for what Trixie is doing here. Well it's obvious isn't it? Trixie has decided to help out."

"What prompted this change of heart from you Trixie?" Twilight asked,

"There will be a time for that later." Trixie said "For now let's get on the train and start planning our attack."

20 minutes the train left Canterlot for Ponyville. Inside one of the coaches Twilight, Shining Armor, and Trixie were going over the plan Twilight had originally proposed.

"So we all know what roles we're playing in this?" Twilight asked.

"Yep." Shining Armor and Trixie said.

"Good." Twilight said "But I can't stress this enough that we need to be careful. If we screw this up it could end very badly for everyone involved."

"I understand." Shining Armor said.

"As does Trixie." Trixie said.

"So Trixie would you mind telling Shining Armor and I why you've decided to join us?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah." Shining Armor said "What's your reason?"

"Well if we come out of this in one piece then Trixie shall tell you." Trixie said.

"You make it sound as if we're going to war." Twilight said.

"That's because we Are going to war." Trixie said.

Shining Armour spit out his recently acquired soda upon hearing this. "What?!" he said "Are you out of your little pony mind Trixie?!"

"Yeah what do you mean we're going to war?" Twilight asked "I mean surely you can't be serious."

"Maybe Trixie is serious and maybe she isn't." Trixie said "And for the record, don't ever call Trixie surely. Got it?!"

"Whatever." Twilight said "Just make sure you don't overdo your part Trixie." Twilight said "Remember our goal here is to try and resolve this conflict before it gets out of hoof."

"Trixie knows that." Trixie said.

"Try and remember that okay?" Twilight said.

The rest of the train ride passed uneventfully but once Twilight, Shining Armor, and Trixie stepped off the train they finally realized how serious the situation was. All of Ponyville seemed to an empty wasteland, which could only mean one thing. Everyone was down at Sweet Apple Acres. Slowly the three ponies trotted through town keeping their eyes out for anyone or anything that might alert Rarity to their prescence.

Eventually they approached the outskirts of Sweet Apple Acres. One looked confirmed their worst fears, everypony in town was under Rarity's command and they had Sweet Apple Acres completly surrounded.

"Applejack and Rainbow Dash please give it up." Rarity said "You can't hide forever."

"Don't listen to them!" Lyra said.

"Silence!" Bon-Bon shouted "You will not speak to Miss. Rarity unless spoken to."

"Bon-Bon please, don't you recognize me?" Lyra pleaded.

"I said silence!" Bon-Bon said "Be thankful your punishment isn't more severe."

Twilight, Shining Armor, and Trixie huddled close together. "Alright everyone remembers their role right?" Twilight asked.

"Yep." Shining Armor said "I've got a protection spell ready and waiting."

"Just give the signal and Trixie shall perform her greatest act of all time." Trixie said.

"Okay then." Twilight said "Remember Trixie you're only suppose to distract the ponies, do not engage them without my permission."

"Trixie shall keep that in mind." Trixie said.

"Alright. Trixie you're up first." Twilight said "Create a good distraction that'll draw everyone's attention to you and away from us."

"Let's do this!" Trixie said, she teleported away and returned a moment later with her cart.

"What's taking Twilight so long?" Rainbow Dash asked "I don't know how much longer we can hold out."

"She's here somewhere." Applejack said "I can feel it."

"Applejack and Rainbow Dash this is your last chance!" Rarity said "Surrender now or suffer the consequences!" There was no reply. "Very well then!" Rarity said "You had your chance! My loyal followers break down the door and search the house! Find Applejack and Rainbow Dash and bring them to me!"

"Not so fast!" a powerful voice echoed.

"Who dares stand against me now?!" Rarity asked "Identify yourself!"

"It's your uncle's niece and your worst nightmare!" the powerful voice said.

"No it's not possible!" Rarity said "Of all the worst ponies that could show up you are, THE, WORST, POSSIBLE, PONY!"

"That's right!" the powerful vocie said "It's the one, the only, The Great and Powerful Trixie!" There was a blinding flash and then Trixie appeared onstage. Her cart standing on the outskirts leading to Ponyville.

Everyone who had been following Rarity turned to face the mare on the stage. Rarity had told them all about Trixie and how she thought Trixie was nothing but trouble. Needless to say they felt that Rarity would reward them if they managed to retrieve the pony that she couldn't stand at all. They all raced towards Trixie's cart. Just as Twilight had planned.

"Hey where are you going?!" Rarity asked "I did not give you permission to engage her! Come back here this instant! It's a trap!" her words fell on death ears.

Trixie knew how to captivate an auidence and proceeded to shot off a bunch of fireworks. Everypony stopped to aw at them. Trixie's role as a distraction was working perfectly. The ponies were so obessed with the fireworks that they didn't notice Twilight and Shining Armor slip in.

"You'll be okay right B.B.B.F.F?" Twilight asked.

"Don't worry about me Twily." Shining Armor said "This is nothing compared to the things I've seen as Captain of the Royal Guard, I'm more worried about you."

"I'll be fine." Twilight said "You focus on keeping that protection spell going."

"Can do Twily." Shining Armor said "Can do." He lit up his horn and cast his trademark protection spell that had been reponsible for him earning his cutie mark. The barrier covered all of Sweet Apple Acres and seperated Rarity from her supporters. Rarity was all alone now.

"Okay I've gotta focus." Twilight thought to herself "Rarity isn't going to give up without a fight."

"Over here, help." Lyra pleaded. Twilight couldn't ignore a cry for help.

"Are you okay?" Twilight asked as she freed Lyra from her prison.

"I'll be fine." Lyra said "The name's Lyra Heartstrings by the way."

"Are you related to Star Swirl the Bearded as well?" Twilight asked.

"Yes." Lyra said.

"I thought so." Twilight said.

"Thanks for freeing me." Lyra said "I've got a score to settle with Rarity after she took my precious Bon-Bon away from me."

"Well I'm intrested in stopping her as well." Twilight said "So what do you say we team up and take her down? After all two heads are better then one."

"I couldn't agree more." Lyra said.

"YOU'RE BOTH FOOLS!" Rarity shouted "NO ONE RESISTS ME! NO ONE!"

"It's over Rarity!" Twilight said "Your supporters are cut off from you and soon they'll likely forget why they were helping you in the first place! Please end this foolishness!"

"NEVER!" Rarity shouted at the top of her lungs "I'VE WORKED TOO HARD TO BUILD UP MY REPUTATION AND I'M NOT GOING TO LET A FEW UNGRATEFUL PONIES LIKE YOU RUIN EVERYTHING!" She then charged head on at Twilight and Lyra knocking them both to the ground.

The two of them got back up. "Rarity we can do this the easy way or the hard way!' Twilight said,

"So what's it gonna be?" Lyra asked.

"IF YOU WISH TO STOP ME THEN YOU'LL HAVE TO CATCH ME!" Rarity shouted and proceeded to teleport. She tried to teleport out of the dome created by Shining Armor's spell to no avail. She then teleported to the other side of Sweet Apple Acres.

"Let's split up and corner her!" Twilight said.

"Right behind you." Lyra said. The two mares raced to the other end of Sweet Apple Acres but Rarity teleported away again.

"She moves too fast!" Lyra said.

"We need another plan of attack." Twilight said "I'll teleport to Rarity's location and keep up with her until eventually she teleports into a position where you can grab her."

"Sounds like a plan." Lyra said.

"Wish me luck!" Twilight said and teleported to Rarit'ys location. "You can't run away forever Rarity!" she said,

"JUST TRY AND STOP ME!" Rarity shouted and teleported away again.

Twilight followed her but after she teleported to the location she gasped. She had teleported close to where Shining Armor was casting his protection spell. She raced towards him only to find that Rarity had gotten to him first.

Rarity laughed wickedly and fired a blast of magic at Shining Armor. The blast wasn't very powerful but Shining Armor was already exhausted from maintaing the dome and the blast proved to be too much for him. The shield faded and Shining Armor fell to the ground exhausted.

"NOOOOOOOOO!" Twilight shouted.

"YES!" Rarity exclaimed happily. She expected her followers to join her and help her take down Twilight but most of them including The Mayor had already left. A few ponies including Bon-Bon, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy were still watching Trixie who despite witnissing everything managed to keep a straight face as a result of her many stage perfomances.

"You'll pay for that!" Twilight shouted and charged at Rarity with her horn lit up.

"COME AT ME!" Rarity shouted charging at Twilight with her horn also lit up. The two of them collided and a struggle took place. It wasn't the most epic one of all time or anything, especially since Twilight tried to hold back a little so she wouldn't hurt Rarity but still fairly amazing. The bright flashes of magic caused everypony to stop and watch, even the ones already focused on Trixie's show.

Eventually the lights flickered down. Both Twilight and Rarity stood right next to each other, panting heavily. One of them was about to fall. For a moment it seemed like Rarity was going to be the one as she went from standing on four hooves to standing on her two front ones and knealing on her two back ones. But somehow she managed to support her weight and remained standing.

"Shining Armor forgive me. I failed." Twilight said weakly and collapsed. Everyone gasped.

"I will not go down easily." Rarity said "Even the mighty Twilight Sparkle is no match for me." This sentence proved to be the one that cost her what little support she might have had left as everyone except Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy left in disgust.

Trixie began to grow worried. Rarity had proven to be more difficult then Twilight had expected and both her and Shining Armor had been defeated. Trixie knew that she was next.

"Trixie you know it's useless to resist me." Rarity said "So why not give up now and spare yourself?"

There was a tense silence as Rarity slowly walked towards Trixie's stage. Somehow against all the odds she was still going strong. "If Rarity reaches my stage it's all over." Trixie thought to herself.

"Did you forget about me Rarity?" Lyra asked.

"Of course not." Rarity said "But you and Trixie don't honestly think you can defeat me do you?"

"Maybe we do." Lyra said and teleported to Trixie's stage. "If we work together and combine our magic we can finally end this." Lyra said.

"But will it work?" Trixie asked.

"It's a long shot but if you have a better idea I'm all ears." Lyra said. Trixie said nothing.

"IT'S OVER!" Rarity shouted and charged towards the stage.

"We've only got one shot at this!" Lyra said "Trixie light up your horn on the count of three!"

"Okay!" Trixie said.

"Ready?!" Lyra asked.

"As ready as Trixie will ever be!" Trixie said.

"Alright then!" Lyra said "One, two, three, now!" The unicrons lit up their horns and summoned their most powerful restraining spells.

"YOU FOOLS!" Rarity shouted and charged forward. Suddenly she found that she couldn't move. "What?!" she exclaimed. She looked around and saw that her front hooves were restrained by light pink magical chains, her back hooves were also restrained but by yellow magical chains.

"Hey you've gotten stronger Trixie." Lyra said "What's up with that?"

Trixe mearly shot Lyra smug grin and said "A good magician never reveals her secrets."

"It's all over Rarity." Lyra said "You have lost."

"You haven't won yet." Rarity said.

"We have now." a familar voice said.

"Twilight?" Rarity, Trixie, and Lyra asked.

"No it's Princess Celestia. Of course it's me." Twilight said.

"But I defeated you." Rarity said "You fell."

"You didn't honestly think you could beat so easily did you?" Twilight asked "I mean come on I'm a freaking alicorn for crying out loud."

"How did you manage to fool us so well?" Lyra asked.

"It's an old strategy I found in a survival guide a long time ago." Twilight explained "It's what Applejack likes to call 'Playing Possum'."

"That was a brilliant move there Twilight Sparkle." Trixie said "Trixie only wishes that she'd thought of that herself."

"Hey look Rarity's been restrained!" Rainbow Dash said, looking out the window.

"She did it, Twilight turned the tide!" Applejack said happily. She and Rainbow Dash made their way outside and joined Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy as well as Shining Armor who had just recovered in crowding around Rarity, ensuring she coud not escape.

Rarity sighed and hung her head. "You got me." she said "Do whatever you want to me."

"Good." Twilight said, lighting up her horn again "Now hold still, and this won't hurt a bit."

Author's Note

Only one chapter left to go.

Next chapter we'll learn how Rarity was able to do all of this, why Trixie acted the way she did until chapter 8, and wrap everything up with one last family member appearing.

Who will it be? Well you'll just have to found out for yourself.

All's well that ends well

In the end the only punishment Rarity faced was apologizing to Lyra and the citizens of Ponyville for getting so carried away. She also promised never to take charge of the town again, and if she did she would be severly punished. Thanks in no small part to Rarity's pleading and begging the citizens of Ponyville quickly forgave her, and the incident soon faded from memory.

"I really am sorry for the way I acted." Rarity said to her friends at Sugarcube Corner the next day "I just got so obessed with all the attention everyone was giving me that I let it go straight to my head and I went crazy."

"That's understandable Rarity." Applejack said "We're just glad everypony was o.k."

"Yeah it's all fun and games until somepony gets hurt." Pinkie Pie said "After all getting hurt's no fun."

"I'm lucky to have such good friends and family members.'" Rarity said "Every one of you displayed a lot of guts when you stood up to me."

"Well after everything that we've been through you should've expected no less from us." Twilight said. Then she turned to Trixie "So are you finally going to tell me why you decided to help Shining Armor and I take down Rarity?"

"I must admit I'm intrested as well." Rarity said "After all if you hadn't shown up I doubt we'd be sitting around discussing it."

"Do you Really want to know?" Trixie asked.

"Yes." Twilight said "We're all ears."

Trixie sighed and took a deep breath. "Very well then." she said "Trixie must warn you that this story is not for the faint of heart."

"I'm sure we can handle whatever it is." Twilight said "Go on."

"Don't say Trixie didn't warn you." Trixie said and began her story. "The truth is Twilight Sparkle you were right all along when you said Trixie was jealous. Trixie was jealous of you."

"Are you serious?" Twilight asked.

"Very serious." Trixie said "You see for as long as Trixie can remember everyone has always held high expectations for her. Trixie's father was always trying to make a name for himself as the greatest magican who ever lived and so he never really had time for Trixie. Trixie never really knew her mom, her dad told her that her mom was unable to put up with the long hours her dad spent on the road and ran off. The only fond memory Trixie has of her childhood was when her father taught her how to use magic, as he intended to eventually teach Trixie all his tricks and have her join him in his show."

"So what happened?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Trixie sighed "Not long after Trixie started attending school there was a terrible accident. One of her father's tricks had gone horribly wrong and he was left unable to perform ever again. From that day forward Trixie was forced to fend for herself and make a living anyway she knew how."

"And that's why you became a perfomer isn't it?" Flutterhsy asked.

Trixie nodded "You are correct. Trixie tried her best to be like her father in order to make enough to support herself and her father. But she could never be as good as her father, a fact that her old stallion constantly reminded of her. Eventually Trixie couldn't take it anymore and ran off, she constantly traveled from town to town, intrested only in making a name for herself. But not long after her stage career began Trixie made the decision to come to Ponyville and well you all know how well that turned out."

Twilight and her friends could still remember that not so friendly visit. Needless to say the memories made them feel really guilty.

Trixie continued "And of course Trixie already explained in her last visit what happened after that so Trixie shall skip to after her second visit to Ponyville. Trixie thought she could finally start fresh and returned home. But she found out that her father had gotten sick and since he had no money he did not see a doctor. Trixie had returned just as he drew his last breaths and Trixie pleaded with him to forgive her. Trixie felt guilty, beliving that she was reponsible for her father's death and took to the streets once again. This time taking on whatever odd jobs she could find. But everyone seemed to expect so much out of Trixie and Trixie was unable to live up to them. Trixie drifted from job to job and from town to town looking for a way to finally make a living. Then when she found that she was related to Twilight Sparkle who had recently become Equestria's newest Princess Trixie assumed that everyone would expect even more of her. And she grew jealous once again, she figured that it was unfair that Twilight Sparkle had life hoofed to her on a silver plater while Trixie could barely afford to feed herself."

"Trixie I had no idea." Twilight said "You should've said something sooner, I could've arranged something. Maybe even put in a good word for you in some place like Manehattan or Fillydelphia."

"No Twilight." Trixie said "Trixie's pride would never have allowed that. Anyway when Spike asked Trixie how she could live with herself Trixie finally started to feel something she had never felt before. Love. For once in her life Trixie had others who truly cared about her and Trixie had foolishly thrown it away. But then Trixie realized it wasn't too late to turn it all around and finally make a name for herself. She would no longer be known as 'The Great and Powerful Trixie, The pony who only cared about herself', she would be known as 'The Great and Humble Trixie, The pony who cared about others'. And that is what prompted Trixie to teleport to the train station and use all the money she had been saving from her various jobs to buy the train tickets."

A silence came over everyone as Trixie finished her story. "That's quite a story." Twilight said "Is she telling the truth Applejack?"

"Yep her story's as true as can be." Applejack replied.

"Does this mean we can finally put our differences aside once and for all?" Twilight asked "Because I'd certainly like to have you as a friend and not an enemy."

"Trixie agrees and accepts your offer of friendship." Trixie said. The two of them promptly shook hooves. Everyone smiled.

"Hey you know what this calls for?" Pinkie Pie asked, breaking the mood.

"What?" Trixie asked.

"I think I know." Twilight said.

"A party!" Pinkie Pie said happily.

"I knew it." Twilight said.

A few hours later Pinkie Pie hosted a combination hero party for Twilight, Shining Armor, Trixie, and Lyra, a I'm sorry party for Rarity, and a "Twilight and Trixie are now friends" party. Just before the party began Twilight pulled her cousin Vinyl Scratch aside and learned that just as she had assumed Vinyl was also a descendant of Star Swirl the Bearded.

The party itself was a grand affair and everypony who was anypony was there. Everyone drank plently of punch and ate plently of cake. By the end there was not a single slice of cake or a single drop of punch left and even if there was no one would've wanted any. They were all stuffed to the brim.

The day after Twilight, Shining Armor, and Trixie returned to their home in Canterlot along with Spike who had come down to Ponyville after Rarity had been defeated. Upon arriving they found a unicorn mare with a crimson red and yellow mane and tail, a light amber coat, and a red and yellow shimmering sun for a cutie mark. "Um hey there." the mare said "I was begining to wonder if anyone was home."

"Who are you?" Twilight asked.

"You've probably never heard of me." the mare said "My name is Sunset Shimmer and I'm a former student of Princess Celestia."

"Hm that's funny. I knew I wasn't the first student Celestia ever had but she never mentioned anything about you." Twilight said.

"Well that's because I did something that lead to me and Celestia having a falling out." Sunset Shimmer explained.

"What did you do?" Twilight asked.

"Let's just say it's something that I'm not proud of." Sunset Shimmer said "And my attitude probably didn't help my case. I really don't like to talk about it though."

"Well what are you doing here?" Twilight asked.

"I found out I was related to Star Swirl the Bearded and I figured I should at least introduce myself to my new family members." Sunset Shimmer said.

"Well the more the merrier right?" Twilight asked Shining Armor and Trixie. Both of them nodded in response.

"Thanks." Sunset Shimmer said "And if it's alright with you could I stay here for a while?"

"Don't you have your own place?" Twilight asked.

"I have a recently purchased home in the Crystal Empire." Sunset Shimmer said "But when I heard about that Star Swirl the Bearded exhibit I thought I'd come here because I'm certain Princess Celestia will show up. I'd like to at least apologize to her for what I did."

"Well if it's o.k. with everyone else then I don't see why not." Twilight said "Well what do you think?"

"Like you said Twily the more the merrier." Shining Armor said.

"I suppose Trixie won't mind too much." Trixie said "After all now that you and Trixie are friends you could use another rival to keep you on your toes."

And so Sunset Shimmer was welcomed into the group. The rest of the days leading up to the Museum of Ancient Pony History's new Star Swirl the Bearded exhibit passed uneventfully. The opening itself had a lot of press coverage and every pony that had been confirmed as a descendant of Star Swirl the Bearded was present, including Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Lyra Heartstrings, and Vinyl Scratch as well as their friends. Sunset Shimmer and Princess Celestia managed to patch things though they did so in private and away from the media hounds.

After the exhibit was opened to the public life went to being normal for everyone. Or at least as normal as life usually got.