Blood Boil

Chapters

Trixie's Triumph.
Trixie's Tale
Trixie's Trick
Twilight's Turn
Twilight's Trick
Twilight's Trial
Twilight's Treat
Trixie's Tragedy
Twilight's Turnaround
Trixie and Twilight
Epilogue

Trixie's Triumph.

Blood Boil

Even in the middle of the night, with stars twinkling in the sky and the town quiet as a mouse, the library stood stoic and overwhelming. It was an awesome monument to wisdom; daunting in both its height (carved out of a massive tree in the midst of the town) and the impressive volume of information it held within. Spell book after spell book, history after history, and story after countless story. The knowledge of the ages were at the hooftips of anypony who was inside, and Twilight Sparkle had been blessed with the privilege of living there.

Of course if Trixie had been lucky enough to live in such a place, she too would have been able to conjure the magic needed to return the Ursa Minor back to its home. She would have been the one that was accepted, and she would have been the one that gained the town's favor.

But no. It was Twilight who calmed the beast. It was Twilight that made it look so easy, so hopelessly simple and effortless. But it was Twilight that was the real fake. She was the one that had to rely on books and studying and notes and reading! Trixie was pure unrefined talent! She was more powerful that Twilight could ever HOPE to be and yet it was TWILIGHT that was the princess’s precious pet. It was TWILIGHT who was allowed to live within a house of knowledge. It was TWILIGHT they’d all accepted and Trixie had been denied an opportunity to shine, once again, by Twilight Sparkle. Twilight, Twilight, Twilight!!!

She had tried to forget—Oh, don’t think that Trixie hadn’t tried. But it nipped at her. It gnawed at her, and scratched and bit and screamed at her. It made Trixie’s blood boil white hot with rage and the only cure she could think of was cold and terrible revenge. She was going to fix everything, expose Twilight for what she really was, and prove to the world who was the better magician. She was going to end her nightmares and sleepless nights, the depression and the self doubt. She was going to fix this, and she was going to teach Twilight how Great and Powerful Trixie really was.

The door creaked open; a sound so loud Trixie froze in her tracks, not daring to breathe or twitch a muscle. Was this it?! Would Twilight wake up NOW and her plans all be for naught? No no no! She’d planned everything—come too far, tried too hard, set everything up just right! It couldn’t end here, not now! Minutes ticked by. In the distance an owl called into the night, and a dragon snored peacefully upstairs, but aside from that there was nothing else alive that Trixie’s ears could detect. She let out a heavy sigh and drew her eyes shut. Victory was too close at hoof for her to quit now and Trixie had no intention of returning home empty hoofed.

The first step into the library nearly knocked the unicorn to the ground. It was the POWER! Dear sweet Celestia, the POWER!!! It was raw magical energy wafting from the shelved books. Pure unsettling power that made the air stuffy and sticky and sweet with the scent of potential. It was, of course, Twilight’s domain. Her energy was the strongest here…more powerful than anywhere else on the planet. Her home- a library, and just another way the purple mare was a fraud. Those spells she cast that night so close to her dwelling, so simple to draw energy from that boundless resource. Trixie's eyes narrowed. It was her duty to fix this. it was her duty to save the town from Twilight’s clutches.

The unicorn crept as quietly as she could, wincing at every step that made the floor creak and crack beneath her. Every step tore at her nerves, wickedly hinting that her plan would be over before it even truly began. It was the most difficult and delicate step in the process, and when Trixie had gotten to the top of the stairs, her eyes widened in horror. Spike was awake.

Well, sort of. Twilight’s little minion was sitting up in a little bed basket, rubbing his eyes and giving a precious little yawn. If Trixie had time, she’d have snatched him from this freak show and taken him with her. A life of labor and servitude? For a DRAGON? One of nature’s most majestic and powerful creatures? Was the entire town simply blind to Twilight’s madness? …Or were they under some sort of spell? That wicked purple witch. It wouldn’t have been hard. All the books and stores of knowledge here, finding a mind bending spell first. Make it something that could be contracted like an airborne sickness. From one pony to another. Suddenly everypony loves Twilight…’A Want-It-Need-It’ spell, that was tweaked just a little bit… It wouldn’t have been too difficult, living in a place like this. Not difficult at all. Those poor ponies. The more she thought about this, the more it seemed to make sense. She would free the town as soon as she could get a chance… but first, the dragon.
Spike, however, was easy enough to take care of. He drove his sleepy gaze across Trixie and tilted his head cutely to one side.

“Mommy?” He squeaked. Poor little thing. A few days off would be perfect for him. Trixie’s horn twinkled with a burst of magic, and Spike’s eyes rolled back in his head.

“Pleasant dreams, little dragon.” Trixie whispered—and narrowed her eyes at her prize. Twilight Sparkle, dozing quietly without a care in the world. A book, History of Equestria had tumbled to the sheets she was wrapped up in. Even at night, she was still scheming, still learning, still cheating. Trixie approached slowly, tilting her head to examine Twilight’s form. Only her head and one foreleg stuck out of the covers, but it was enough. Trixie had seen enough. That was Twilight, the same pony she remembered in her dreams and in her nightmares. The same pony that had blinded the town to her true nature and made a mockery out of true magic. Twilight. Sparkle.

“You make me sick," Trixie snarled quietly, her horn dazzling the dark room with a bright burst of magic. It should have been enough—it was a spliced spell. Something to weaken Twilight’s magic, and put her into a long, restful slumber, but to Trixie’s surprise, the unicorn’s eyes shot open.

“Wha…wha…T, Trixshe?” The sleepy unicorn sputtered, sitting up in bed. For a single instant, Trixie wondered if the magic in the room- the entire tree, was interrupting her spell. Surely it was, but not enough for it to completely fail, right?! But soon the fear vanished, and the effects started to render themselves visible. Twilight was only half sitting up in bed, her eyes not fully open. She was resisting…

“That’s, 'the Great and Powerful' Trixie to YOU,” Trixie snarled, and took a step back, watching in great satisfaction as Twilight tried to figure out what was going on.

“W, what…whadjoo do to me? Wha- haff you done?” Twilight babbled, trying to pull herself out from under the covers. Her bed was so warm…so comfortable, and she was SO tired…but there was something wrong. There was something seriously wrong!! Every warning alarm she had in her head was going off, and she had to figure it out! But why was she so sleepy… why couldn’t she wake up? The purple mare stumbled out of bed and landed on her chest with a groan. She gazed helplessly at Trixie who grinned a wicked, dastardly grin.

“Thaaaat's right. Just sleep. Give in to Trixie’s magic…you can’t fight me for long. “The blue unicorn cooed softly, delighting in Twilight’s growing panic.

“G, Get out of here! You leave ush alone! Spike…S, Spike? What haff yoo done to him?! Shpike! Wake up! SHPIKE?!” Twilight squeaked when she noticed her companion had not roused from his slumber. He was out cold it seemed, but she could feel the effects of a spell on him as well. Things were getting serious, and Twilight was entering full blown terror. It was a spell. Trixie had cast a spell on her while she was sleeping. The sudden fear, the panic, the confusion. It was all Trixie’s doing!

“NO! No, no no, y, you sthay away! Get away from me!” Twilight squealed, climbing to her hooves, only to stumble forward. Her legs weren’t working right. The entire room was spinning- wobbling underneath her. She tried to turn- to cast something, to utter some defenses but her mind had gone numb and her tongue waggled helplessly while she tried to remember the words to a spell…any spell!!

“S, shomepony! Shomepony help me!” Twilight screamed, tumbling forward towards the stairs. She had to get away! Had to get outside. Fresh air! She needed fresh air to clear her head. Maybe find somepony taking a late night stroll. Somepony. ANYPONY!

“Oooo, is it getting hard to think? Can’t focus to cast a spell? It’s ok Twilight…just relax…calm down…it’ll be over before you know it. “Trixie giggled, following behind Twilight in a casual, leisurely stroll.

With both forehooves, Twilight grabbed the railing to the staircase and tried to descend. One hoof in front of the other. She could do this. She HAD to do this! She had to get help! She had to save Spike!! But the room was spinning so badly and she could hardly focus. And then …then there was pain—there was SO MUCH PAIN! The world was in shambles, and the tree was circling and spiraling and tumbling all around her. She collapsed at the bottom of the stairs in a heap, whimpering with tears trickling down her cheeks.

“Ooooo that looked like it hurt! Color Trixie impressed! You’re still able to resist, even AFTER falling down the stairs. Oooo, think you can you make it to the door?” a voice asked, haunting her.

“S, Shomepony...halp…” Twilight sobbed, crawling forward by her front hooves. Her legs were twisted and crumpled underneath her, and she knew they were there. She KNEW they were there, but she couldn’t feel them. Trixie’s spell grew stronger and stronger by the second. She had to get outside and fast! It was her only hope!

“S, Shomepony! PLEEESH!!” Twilight squealed, her voice a choked shadow of its original pitch and strength. Behind her, Trixie casually trotted down the stairs, gleefully watching Twilight’s pathetic attempts to remedy the situation. It was worth it. Every second of planning, every minute of concentration, every moment of waiting had all been for this. It was sweeter than her fondest dream, and it just grew sweeter still. Twilight seemed to have changed tactics, crawling towards the closest bookshelf towards her.

“Ooo! Looking for an antidote? A spell to banish whatever it is that’s been done to you?” Trixie spat. She wasn’t even sure if Twilight could hear her anymore, but it was pleasing to think about.

The room was spinning around Twilight, faster and faster, tilting and twirling as the contents of her last meal threatened to rise. She had to get out, she HAD to, but the room was no longer familiar to her. The door! WHERE WAS THE DOOR?!

“CELESHTIA! ANYPONY! PLEESH!” she screamed again (A faint gurgle now) while tugging herself along. Her hoof bumped against something wooden and hard. A book case. If she could find a book—a counter-spell perhaps— something quick and easy to cast! Oh by Celestia’s mercy, there was hope!

Twilight, with the last of her strength, hoisted herself up on her unsteady forelegs, and felt despair wash over her. The books were in front of her! Right there! And to her fortune she was looking at the big blue one Counterspells to Curses. It was so close, so very, very close, and yet it was hopelessly out of reach. Her vision was so blurred, so distorted; she could hardly make out the title, let alone the small print inside of the volume. So close and yet so far. This was it. The end. It was all over, and with tears in her eyes she slumped to the ground, using her reserves of energy to try and keep herself awake. A losing battle, to be sure.

“Trickshe…pleesh…Don’t…don’t do thish…don’t……” Twilight sputtered as the blue unicorn cantered over towards her and sat down, directly in front of her, grinning wickedly.

“Hmmm?” Trixie asked, elated in her victory.

“D, don’t…don’t hurt Shpike…” Twilight pleaded. She gasped when Trixie reached down and lifted her chin gently with a hoof, until they were nose to nose, and eye to eye.

“Oh, don’t worry about that, Twilight. You are ALL that Trixie wants.” She hissed, and dropped Twilight to the ground, and smiled a horrible ear to ear smile: bright, gleaming and terrible. It was the last thing Twilight saw before the darkness slurped her up and sleep finally claimed her.

Author's Note

I don't even remember writing this but it's ooooooold.
And so ghastly purple...UGH....

Trixie's Tale

The day outside was a glorious one. The sun was shining, splashing the lush, green flowing hills with sunlight and warmth. The air was cool, clear and refreshing, and the clouds were puffy white and dancing in the sky. It was a paradise of relaxation and tranquility. The perfect place for any pony to relax, and get away from it all under normal circumstances. Unfortunately for Twilight, the circumstances were anything but normal.

She’d awoken in a bed with soft downy blankets and cushy comforting pillows surrounding her. The window was open, and a fresh breeze drifted through the room. A bedroom. An unfamiliar, but very a quaint little bedroom. There was a vanity mirror and a dresser, a book shelf and a desk. Nothing outstanding or surprising. Nothing sinister or devilish. It was just a cozy little bedroom, with a very confused occupant who only grew more confused when the door to the bed room swung open, and Trixie herself cheerfully trotted in.

“Oh! You’re awake! Good morning Twilight! Did you sleep well? I have breakfast cooking in the kitchen, and it won’t be long at all. Just a minute or two!” Trixie explained with a glittering smile. Twilight stared. This could not be happening.

“Trixie?” she asked. Her voice was oddly hoarse. Trixie tipped her head towards Twilight and nodded.

“Yes? Is there anything I can get for you? Water? Some apple juice? Oh, no, wait. I bet you’re an orange juice kinda mare? I have that too!” Trixie exclaimed before happily scampering off into the kitchen, leaving Twilight alone with her thoughts. Very, very confused thoughts.

A few scant minutes had drifted by before Twilight summoned the courage and mental resolve to figure out what was actually going on. She couldn’t for the life of her explain the situation—and Trixie was the only pony that was capable of doing so.

Just like the bedroom, the entire cottage was quaint and cozy. There was a tiny stove, a tiny table, a tiny bookshelf and a tiny everything. It was so perfectly picturesque, Twilight wondered if she’d somehow gotten transported into a painting. And there in the midst of it all was Trixie, humming a happy little tune (smile smile smile) swaying her hind quarters back and forth, and cooking something that smelled absolutely utterly fantastic.

The blue filly turned, and regarded Twilight with a loving smile, and gestured, quietly towards the table, where Twilight found herself slowly taking a seat. This was very, very odd. Very, very, VERY odd, but Twilight had to admit, there were worse ways to wake up after being kidnapped. She didn’t sense any immediate danger. No specific threats or harm that would befall her here. It almost seemed like everything was set up to be as calming as possible, and Twilight had to admit- it was working.

Finally, Trixie turned towards Twilight and presented breakfast. Eggs (scrambled) with a fresh batch of hash browns, cinnamon apples, freshly picked fruit, and French toast, all surrounded by juicy looking berries, and a frosty glass of orange juice next to it. Twilight looked astonished, while Trixie blushed violently and sat down across from the other unicorn, offering the plate of scrumptious smelling food towards the mare.

“Yes, Trixie is WELL aware that cooking is probably not the first of her many talents that you think of when you see her…but every pony needs a hobby, right?” She chuckled impishly, but for all that Twilight could detect the other pony was truly showing genuine humility. The day was only getting weirder. And Twilight, whom had been holding back all of her questions, found she could hold them back for a few moments longer, with the delicious plate of food in front of her. For some reason she was absolutely famished, and her eyes lit up like stars when she gave in to the craving for a bite. It could have been poisoned, or laced with magic or some other such atrocity, but that didn’t make any sense. Why would Trixie go through all the trouble to kidnap her, just to poison her somewhere else?

No no no, it wasn’t a trap of any sort, but after Twilight had taken that first bite, she knew she’d made a mistake. The food was amazingly, impossibly, indescribably MAGNIFICENT! It made her tremble where she sat, and her tongue break out into song. It was the most marvelous thing she’d ever tasted and the moment it touched her lips she couldn’t put her fork down until it was finished. All the while Trixie watched with eager eyes and a shy smile twisting about her features.

“…Trixie has never cooked for others before….Um…” she stammered, but Twilight cut her off the moment she realized what she was getting at.

“It’s AMAZING. I-It’s the most amazing thing I have EVER tasted! You should be a chef instead of a magician!“ Twilight found herself stammering. The praise just couldn’t be helped. It was VERY well deserved and she smiled softly at Trixie’s renewed blush.

“Well, Trixie was always taught to be a very inviting house guest…so …anyway. I wanted to talk, Twilight. Um, away from all of the other ponies, just us to just, put everything into perspective and get it all out in the open. Clear everything up. “ Trixie explained quietly. Now this was a shock—another one that Twilight didn’t expect and something that had garnered her full attention. Was THAT what this was all about? Something that happened months ago?! And suddenly, Twilight was utterly and horribly furious.

“What?! Clear the AIR?! Are you talking about that stupid Ursa Minor thing?! Is THAT what this is about?! Something that happened MONTHS ago? Are you seri- Are you completely and totally insane?! Really? Did you honestly hold a grudge this long?! You know there are BETTER ways to talk about your little problems than to kidnap somepony in the middle of the night!” Twilight snarled. Trixie simply nodded her head, not reacting in the slightest to Twilight’s outburst.

“Yes. Actually. It was too important to risk this on you denying an audience. You see, Twilight, Trixie comes from a small family. Moderate and modest. Two brothers, twins, Hocus and Pocus, and a sister, Jinxx. We weren’t rich, but, my parents owned a little magic shop that was doing alright for itself and we were happy. So one night, the family is discussing Princess Celestia’s school for gifted unicorns. Trixie is sure you’ve heard of it. Nice school if you can get in but very expensive. We had no money for tuition of course, but there were always the rumors of Princess Celestia looking for a personal student to tutor. One shot. One chance. One pony. You show the judges what you can do, and they look at your scores. High marks, get a nod for a chance at a scholarship next year, the highest marks get taken directly to the princess herself. I promised my family I would win, Twilight. I promised I would be the first in our family to go to this school, and graduate, and be the most amazing magician the world had ever seen! And do you know what? Trixie passed with flying colors. They were speechless—stunned by Trixie’s power! So stunned that Trixie’s parents received a personal visit from Princess Celestia herself! Raw, magical talent that had the potential to be something wonderful, is what Princess Celestia said. Trixie was sure this was going to be the beginning of a new and better life for everypony in her family! I was a shoe-in for the win, at least I would have been…should have been. One of the last ponies to take the exam that day, there were only two left. And one of them was you,” Trixie hissed darkly, slowly drawing herself to her hooves to walk around the table, while Twilight sat, listening with her mouth agape.

“You know what happened next. The rainbow. The egg. Princess Celestia forgetting all about Trixie and her family. There was only room for one in her heart, and you shoved your way right in, didn’t you, Twilight?” Trixie snarled. “So…Trixie lost her spot in the school. You…took Trixie’s spot in the school. Her heart was shattered and her family was crushed; hopes and dreams all popped like a bubble. But Trixie promised. She would be the shining star of her family. She promised her mother, and her father, and her siblings. She. PROMISED. So Trixie left. I grabbed my things- a pocketful of magic tricks, and I hit the road. Eventually, after years and years of perfecting Trixie’s magic show, she returned to Ponyville and guess, who, she, found," Trixie snarled, her voice turning raw and savage.

“Do you have ANY idea how hard Trixie had to work to get that wagon?! Those tricks, those props?! Every penny Trixie didn’t send to her family was spent on Trixie’s magic show! First step, enter town, and let ‘em know who’s boss! You secure your audience, and you pump yourself up, Twilight. And if there are any neigh-sayers in the audience, you shoot them down! And once everypony knows you’re the real deal, you sell what you can and then move on to the next town. That’s how show business WORKS Twilight. That is how you make money for your family. That is how Trixie used to conduct business, but she lost everything when you and your stupid friends ruined my life. AGAIN.“ The blue unicorn snapped.

It was all different than Twilight had expected. Everything she was telling her, everything from Trixie’s side of the story seemed so sad and bleak…and regardless of what little she did- Twilight couldn’t help but feel a tinge of responsibility.

“Trixie I-" she began, but Trixie held up a hoof, smiling the way she had done before. Something had changed, however. Her smile was icy and cold.

“No. No. Trixie does not want your pity. Trixie just wants your understanding," the blue mare explained, and Twilight nodded her head. It wasn’t anger in her heart she felt anymore. Not towards Trixie. It was all just an unfortunate misunderstanding. She was almost happy that Trixie had offered her this chance to talk now. To straighten things out and try and make amends. They could very well be friends if she played her cards right!

Trixie smiled softly, and reached an arm out, gently wrapping it around Twilight’s shoulders, sending the poor unicorn further into dizzying confusion, further complimented by Trixie’s horn, that brushed gently, and ever so slightly against Twilights. It was an incredibly intimate act for unicorns to do such, and Twilight felt her cheeks immediately spark to life with a flush of crimson at the contact.

“W, wha?” She stammered, but Trixie lifted a hoof to silence her, and shook her head. As cheerful as the atmosphere was, and the cottage and breakfast had been, Twilight was suddenly feeling uncomfortable.

“Well, now that our little talk is out of the way, Trixie is going to let you in on a little secret, Twilight. You’re not as powerful as you think you are. Everything special about you came out of a book. I brought you here to fix you, Twilight Sparkle. To teach you some humility, take my rightful place at Princess Celestia’s side and most of all…listen to you scream,” Trixie whispered, delighted as Twilight’s eyes went wide.

Trixie's Trick

Trixie never tried to stop her; never lifted a hoof to keep her from racing back into the bedroom and locking the door. Never mentioned any more threats, no long winded rants and raving and there were no sneering condescending lectures. In fact, Trixie simply smiled when Twilight bolted into the guest room and slammed the door shut. There was no frantic pounding or shouting- there was simply silence.

And that silence is what scared Twilight the most. Trixie had a superiority complex, that was true, but she also wasn’t stupid. No, Trixie was holding onto some secret; some ace in the hole that only she knew about- something that was enough to keep Twilight at her mercy.

It was psychological, Twilight realized, pressing a perky ear against the door, to try and listen to Trixie’s behavior inside of the cottage. She was going to take her sweat time and let Twilight sweat it out. Let her mind come up with the worst possible scenarios, and she was going to die a million deaths before Trixie even got started. Or maybe Trixie was making it up as she went along and Twilight was already doing herself in.

Still, from what Twilight could discern, Trixie had no plans to assault Twilight directly. She could hear Trixie clip clopping around the kitchen, muttered to herself here and there, and recited the occasional spell. After a few moments, it dawned on Twilight that Trixie was rehearsing; a revelation that became concrete when she heard a tremendous bellow that rippled through the tiny cottage.

“BEHOLD; THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE….Hmm…BEHOLD! THE GREAT AND AMAZING TRIXIE!....No no, Trixie likes that powerful in there. Hmmm BE AMAZED AT THE ASTONISHING MAGIC FEATS OF THE ALL POWERFUL, ALL KNOWING, GREAT AND WONDERFUL TRRRRRRRRRRRRIXIE!!! …No no, too much. Too much. The saucy and sexy Trixie? MMmm you know it girl, tee hee. Oh oh! BEHOLD THE PRESTIDIGITATION OF THE POWERFUL TRIX- Naaaw, too many syllables. Lets see…” Trixie rambled past the secure door. Twilight rolled her eyes. Evil mastermind, Trixie was not. Still, it amused the purple pony to know that Trixie struggled with simple, mundane things like everypony else- time included, when Twilight heard a sharp gasp from the other side of the door.

“Oh, how about the MIRACULOUS MAGICS OF THE GRE- OH PONY FEATHERS, THE TIME!!! Trixie is going to be the late and sorry, if she doesn't put some spank in her flank! AHEM! T, Twilight Sparkle! The great and powerful Trixie has an intervi…errr, ENGAGEMENT with…erm…a DRAGON! Yes! Trixie must slay a DRAGON! When she returns, your torture shall begin! You, have, been WARNED! …h, help yourself to anything in the fridge. “ Trixie sputtered, and with that, the blue unicorn beat a hasty retreat out the front door.

The cottage had been silent for nearly thirty minutes before Twilight opened the door to her bedroom with a gentle click. There were no awaiting tricks or traps. No magical sentries waiting for her to attempt to leave. There was nothing, other than a turned over chair which toppled to the ground with Trixie’s wild race from the cottage. While the curiosity to explore Trixie’s domain scraped and clawed at her, Twilight wanted to leave much, much more. The purple mare turned towards the door and paused for a brief moment to pick up the fallen chair and push it under the table. She was fleeing for her life, sure, but there was no reason to leave a mess. Quickly, Twilight rocketed out of the cottage so fast it would have made even Rainbow Dash proud.

The surrounding area was absolutely and utterly beautiful, lush green grass with a cute garden of multicolored flowers circling the cottage, a hoof trodden dirty road that lead from the front door to the sweet smelling forest surrounding the place, and a lovely little water fall that trickled down from a high hill and formed a little trickling creak. It all most reminded Twilight of Fluttershy’s home- only there wasn't a narcissistic maniac running lose in Fluttershy’s place. The glance around was a brief one, as Twilight Sparkle found herself in the dense forest that populated the parameter of Trixie’s home only seconds later. She leapt off the dirty road, zigging and zagging, doing her best to leave a complicated, confusing trail and put as much distance between her and Trixie as possible. It was late afternoon, when the purple pony finally stopped for a rest. She’d been running from for hours, never stopping to look back, and only pausing to catch her breath every few seconds. She’d hoped, by this point, she’d run so far into the forest she was running out of it, and when she finally turned to measure her progress, the unicorn’s muzzle dropped to the ground, and her eyes went helplessly wide.

Twilight was standing at the forest’s edge, and there, in front of her was Trixie’s cottage. Clever. Very, very clever. Twilight had to admit it. She really did. It was a vexing circle. A difficult enchantment to master but one that was invaluable for keeping ponies in place for long periods of time. Twilight had studied them before, but never had time, or a decent reason to place her knowledge into practice. It was a simple concept, more or less.

First you decided the radius of your circle, then you enchanted the area, usually leaving behind totems or a fetish to help empower the enchantment. (Usually Twilight would consider it a hex, or a curse, but that was getting into technical terms and then it just boiled down to what was politically correct in the magic community) The enchantment would be placed, and any pony wandering into the area would find themselves helplessly and utterly lost. Compasses would spin around wildly, North would become East, then East would become South and then South would become North, as if the land was shifting and twisting and turning on it’s own, just to keep you lost. It was a very difficult spell to master, and Twilight- was trembling at the idea that Trixie’s grudge would have lead to her mastering such skills, had to admit- she was very impressed.

With a drawn out sigh of defeat, the tired unicorn slowly dragged herself back into the cottage and sat down. She was tired. Very tired. Whatever spell Trixie had cast on her had lingering effects, and it even seemed to be effecting her own magic. She didn’t think she could even cast a magic compass spell if she wanted to, and teleporting was right out. No, Twilight had to come up with a plan, something clever to escape this place, and teach Trixie a lesson once and for all. Briefly, for a moment, Twilight let the idea of violence flicker through her mind. When Trixie returned, she could pounce her, catch her off guard, and then…

And then…what? Knock her out? Hold her hostage? Beat her silly? Twilight felt sick at the concept, and shook the nasty idea away. She wasn’t like that. She would NEVER be like that. Regardless of what Trixie did to her, she would keep to who she was, and never turn into somepony she was not. Sadly, the mare slipped into the guest room she’d been using and flopped down on the bed. It was a puzzle. A riddle. A homework assignment. She was good at those. Using your environment, and what you’ve learned so far, devise a way for Pony A to escape cottage B. Use No# 2 pencils, and show your work.

Twilight shook her head and gave a groan. She was tired. Definitely tired. Very very tired. To tired to think straight and too tired to devise a plan, but time was running out. Trixie would be home soon, and then the torture would begin- whatever it was Trixie was planning on doing to her. Twilight sighed and closed her eyes, wishing her friends were there to support her. Pinkie would start telling silly jokes, and keeping her optimistic. Rainbow would be doing what she could to keep the group’s energy up. Rarity would be the disconcerting eye, looking for details and anything Twilight might have missed. Applejack would be the strength, the pony able to hold the entire group on her back with her honesty, and Fluttershy would remind them there was never an end to kindness- regardless of how dark things looked.

Now, more than anything, Twilight needed her friends. Any of them would do. And then it hit her: square in the face. It crept in slowly at first, swirling around while Twilight was thinking about all she’d learned, all that had happened, Ponyville, and all of her friends…but it grew and grew, hanging just outside of reach, until Twilight gasped and sat up.

The mare had an idea.

But more importantly.

Twilight, had a plan.

Author's Note

Ok, we're up to the cute! Tune in next chapter to start going "Awwww" ;)
And yes. This is a Twixie fic. ;)

Twilight's Turn

Usually, she would have pranced home. She’d have bounced and bobbled down the path with her cape fluttering behind her, with a slick and (dare she might say) sexy sway of her tail. Her ears would be perky, her nose would be high towards the sky, and she’d breathe in the air of achievement she was so accustom to after a fantastic performance. Trixie found that there was nothing better than the glow of success that tickled her from nose to tail; a glow she had not felt in days.

Each hoof felt as if it were anchored with lead. Her cape spilled about the ground as she walked, caked with mud and debris, and her beautiful hat sagged to one side. The interview had gone horrible. This particular town required approval from the mayor before Trixie could roll in with her cart and start selling her performance and her wares. Oh, the interview started well enough, until she accidentally pulled a parasprite out of her hat instead of a rabbit. Then she managed to set the mayor’s desk aflame and tried to quell the blaze with the first thing she could think of- which was summoning a quart of custard. That was before it all ended with a nigh unfortunate cow explosion (Which she was still not entirely convinced was her fault. Yes she had summoned the cows, and yes, she had lit the dynamite, but if it weren't for the mayor screaming about parasprites, her concentration wouldn't have been off. There were no fatalities, but it would be a long, long time, before the town would again taste the joys of chocolate milk).

At least now it was over, and she could soak in the tub to wear away her woes of the day- which she would attend to promptly as soon as she put out the fire in her house. Trixie’s mouth dropped open in horror at the beautiful inky blotches of smoke that rose from over the hill towards her cottage and tumbled into the sky. Immediately Trixie’s mind raced for causes. Had she left the fireplace going? The oven on? No. No. There could only be one cause of this.
Twilight. Sparkle.

The door nearly exploded off it’s hinges when Trixie flung herself into her home, frantically searching for the source of the fire, custard spell at the ready!!

Only there was no fire.

Instead of roaring, flickering flames eating her house, she found her modest little cottage spotlessly cleaned. The dishes were done, the floor was mopped, books alphabetized on the shelves, fresh flowers in the vase. And there, standing in the middle of the cottage with a bright friendly smile, was Twilight Sparkle. And at the kitchen table? Apple pie, apple tarts, apple fritters, fruit salad, potatoes, noodles, rice and vegetables in a delicious looking bowl that reminded Trixie of Thai. Trixie stared. Twilight smiled.

“W, what is…what is all this? T, Trixie demands an answer!” Trixie sputtered in utter confusion. It had been years since some other pony had cooked her dinner. Twilight smiled shyly, her cheeks flushing a gentle shade of red and she took a deep breath. Honesty.

“I was hungry, and err, you said help yourself to anything in the fridge, so I did. Applejack taught me a number of recipes that I memorized and just thought I’d give a try when I had time, and, well I had time. I was going through your books and noticed they weren't alphabetized and then I started cleaning so I erm…Heh…” Twilight blushed and scuffled a hoof along the floor sheepishly, while Trixie simply stared. Slowly, the blue mare hung up her sodden cape and hat and sat down at the table, where Twilight watched anxiously. The first bite was like fireworks in her mouth, and Trixie’s eyes widened. She coughed, paused and shot a sheepish glance towards Twilight.

“T, This…this meager offering will suffice. “She mumbled, before shoveling what she could into her mouth. It had been such a hard day, and the food tasted so good, there was little she could do to keep from inhaling her plate entirely. Twilight felt a bubble of pride rising up as she watched Trixie happily consume her cooking. They ate in silence, with only the occasional quips of ‘pass the salt’ or ‘where are the napkins?’ in between them. Eventually blue and purple bellies were full, and Twilight, to Trixie’s amazement, got up and plucked the dishes from the table with a jolt of magic and deposited them in the sink. Generosity.

“You’re not the only one whom was taught to be a good house guest. Twilight explained, while Trixie watched in awe. She was just about to remind Twilight that she was a prisoner, when Twilight slowly turned towards the blue mare with a devilish grin twisting across her features. “Now that dinner is over…” She quipped. Trixie tilted her head, and watched as Twilight reared back- and pounced the poor unsuspecting unicorn. Trixie only had a moment to scream.

“RELEASE TRIXIE!! HOW DARE YOU MAREHANDLE THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE! YOU CONJURING CLUTZ! YOU WORTHLESS WITCH! TRIXIE SHALL HAVE YOUR HEAD!! TRIXIE SHALL …T, TRIXIE SHALL…TRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIXIEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Oooooo…To the left. “ Trixie moaned helplessly as Twilight’s nimble hooves massaged the wear and tear from Trixie’s back. Kindness.

“You looked so tired when you got home…I…just had too. I dunno. “Twilight muttered shyly, while Trixie tried to mutter back in turn, but her tongue had turned to jello the way her legs at turned to jelly. Twilight smiled quietly, ironing each kink from her muscles free, and limbering over worked limbs. Trixie, for the most part was feeling far more relaxed than she’d ever felt in her entire life. The food settling in her belly wasn’t doing her any favors as she tried to keep herself away after a long day. Luckily, she was given a jolt that managed to startle her and keep her from dozing off completely, thanks to the playful SLAP that echoed off her bottom from Twilight’s hooves. Laughter.

“I’m not finished yet! You can’t fall asleep!” Twilight giggled. Trixie glanced over her shoulder, blushing at the warm tingle left by Twilight’s smack.

“H, how dare you spank the flank of the great and powerful Trixie!” Trixie sputtered, to which Twilight rolled her eyes.

“Uh huh. Well the great and powerful flank, has great and powerful kinks, and you can’t enjoy me getting them out if you’re asleep. “Twilight explained, starting to roll her hooves over Trixie’s rump. The blue mare blushed profusely at Twilight’s choice of words, opened her mouth to retort, before silently turning about and hiding her face under her hooves. Twilight doesn’t want to hear about my kinks. Twilight doesn’t want to hear about my kinks. Twilight doesn’t want to hear about my kinks…

All to soon, the massage had ended, and Twilight was standing over Trixie, smiling warmly towards the sluggish magic maker.

“How was that?” She cooed quietly, while Trixie tried to find her legs underneath her.

“W, where…where did you lea-“ Trixie sputtered, before Twilight answered.

“Oh, my friend Rarity, who learned from my friend Fluttershy. “She explained happily. Trixie gave an impressed yawn and staggered towards her room in a sleepy daze.

“Trixie….T, Trixie had a hard day…and…and shall see to your torture tomorrow. “She mumbled, waggling a hoof towards her captive. “Y, you have a reprieve…f, for now…”She slurred, and quickly threw herself into her room, and shut the door. Turning towards her room, Twilight gave a gentle sigh and slid into it quietly, closing the door and collapsing onto her bed.

She may not have had her friends by her side, but she still had the magic of friendship, and it was proving to be very magical indeed.

Twilight's Trick

The day was utterly gorgeous when Trixie awoke, as it always was. The sun was shining, and there was a heavenly choir of birds singing somewhere nearby. The air was fresh and clean, and Trixie found she couldn’t keep the smile off her face. She felt good! No! She felt GREAT! The massage, or the dinner, or both in tandem last night must have had something to do with it. She hastily rejected the concept that it might have been the company, and climbed out of bed with a glittering smile about her lips. The type of smile that screamed “Look out world, here, comes, TRIXIE!”

The bedroom door opened, and Trixie clip clopped into the kitchen where she discovered breakfast was waiting. Daffodils on toast, a side of eggs, and orange juice…and Twilight sitting at the table, reading over one of Trixie's books from her collection, and next to her; A washed and dried cape and hat.

“Y,you washed Trixie’s clothes?” Trixie sputtered in disbelief. Twilight did not reply, peering into the book and flipping a page quietly. For a moment, Trixie almost, almost lost herself to a violent rant about how one does NOT ignore the great and powerful Trixie, but paused briefly to wave a hoof towards Twilight experimentally. No response.

“…Twilight?” She asked, but Twilight didn’t respond. For a brief heart stopping moment, Trixie thought something was wrong. Perhaps she was sick, or required a doctor. Medication of some sort Trixie didn’t bother to grab when she kidnapped Twilight in the first place! But the horrific thoughts all trickled into nothing when Twilight leisurely turned a page in the book, and Trixie realized she was completely engulfed in the text. Experimentally Trixie reached forward and nudged the other unicorn’s arm, and was rewarded with a sharp squeak of surprise, followed by Twilight tumbling from the chair and onto the floor. Somewhere, in the back of Trixie’s head, the sight of Twilight sprawled on the floor, book at one side, with her mane frizzled in surprise was rewardingly cute, and the blue mage stifled a quiet giggle.

“GAH! Trixie! Hahaha, um, sorry, uh, good morning! I washed your clothes! They were just so dirty when you got home and I got up early and had nothing to do, so…” Twilight explained with a bright smile, while Trixie found she couldn’t help but copy it. The blue unicorn ate quickly, before she casually donned her cape and hat and gave it an experimental flourish. It was perfect.

“The great and powerful Trixie hopes you aren’t trying to butter her up to get out of your torture, Twilight Sparkle. You WILL suffer tonight, regardless of how spring fresh and lovely this cape feels. Prepare yourself ….after….Trixie runs an errand. Trixie is going to attempt a second intervi, err, um…Dragon…slaying. Yes. She is going to slay the dragon……………………….again.” Trixie sputtered, paused and coughed, before giving Twilight the most convincing smile she could muster. (With an inescapable *Squee* sound to make it twenty percent more convincing)

Twilight, of course rolled her eyes, but chose not to pop Trixie’s fantasy bubble and instead reached out to tentatively adjust her cape so it sat squarely on her shoulders-something she was quite surprised Trixie stood still for.

“Well, if you’re slaying a dragon TWICE it must be an undead dragon. Veeeery dangerous, but if ANYpony can handle it, it is the great and powerful Trixie!” Twilight giggled, resting both of her hooves on Trixie’s shoulders. The unicorn gave a sharp scowl and smacked Twilight’s hooves away with a sour snort.

“Do NOT mock Trixie!” She snapped, only to find Twilight’s hooves on her shoulder’s again.

“I’m not Trixie. You’re the best illusionist I have EVER seen.” Twilight said softly, much to Trixie’s surprise. They stood there momentarily, while Trixie scanned every inch of Twilight’s muzzle for even the faintest hint of sarcasm. There wasn’t an speck to be had. Twilight smiled warmly and reached up to adjust Trixie’s hat.

“The very best Illusionist I know. There is no dragon that stands a chance.” Twilight giggled with a twinkling smile that made Trxie’s cheeks flush warm and red. The blue unicorn sputtered softly and took a step back, flashing Twilight a bright showmare’s smile, and flourished her cape once more, and turned sharply on her hooves towards the door.

“Trixie shall return this evening. Be prepared, Twilight Sparkle. “ The mare boasted and with that, she let her showmare’s strut carry her out the door, leaving Twilight to smile warmly in return.

In the short few hours it had been since Trixie left the house; the day had grown cold and bitter- a sharp contrast from what the morning had provided. The colors faded from the sky, like the last flicker of life from a candle, and the warmth of the music that peppered Trixie when she had awoken was sucked into a bitter drone of tasteless sound. The little blue unicorn dragged herself down the dirt path towards her cottage, and let the door flutter open with a morose thrust of magic. She didn’t notice Twilight had reorganized the house, top to bottom, books in alphabetical order, spell components organized by weight and type, the floor spotless with a loving touch of dedication. She didn’t notice lunch was freshly picked berries in a salad of leafy greens sitting on the table and she didn’t notice Twilight, noticing her.

But Twilight knew, sadly, that all too often, slaying the ‘dragon of the day’ was not just a difficult task- but an impossible one. A task Trixie had most obviously failed, slumping down onto the modest little couch that occupied her home, not even offering to acknowledge the existence of her torture victim. She didn’t even pull off her hat and cape, rolling onto her side with a bitter sigh of depression and defeat.

For Twilight- this was unacceptable. Even if they were enemies, Twilight didn’t like to see another pony unhappy, and her and Trixie weren’t enemies. They weren't exactly friends, of course, but Twilight didn’t have the heart to let any pony sit in silent suffering. Nopony deserved that.

Twilight's first instinct, had been the intellectual approach. To simply ask what was wrong, and isolate the problem, devise a solution, solve the problem, and then write a paper about it. But recently, Twilight had come to discover her logic and Trixie's behavior often didn't meld well. Pinkie would have come up with a joke, something so bubbly and cheerful, anypony listening wouldn't have a choice but to smile. Fluttershy would have sat down and pulled the problem away with her hypnotic dulcet tones, cozy and comforting and filled to the brim with the strength of Kindness. Applejack wouldn't be much for talking, but she wouldn't need to. She was there for you, with all of her strength, no matter what the problem, she'd hold you up. Everypony who knew her knew that, and Rainbow Dash would tackle the problem head on...but Rarity....Rarity would use subterfuge...

“Trixie Lulamoon." Twilight announced, without so much as a flicker from Trixie's ear. But she was listening- Twilight was loud enough to make a show of what she was doing- a performance; big and bold and bright; what better way than to get through to a showmare? Twilight continued, undaunted by Trixie's silence.

"Only pony that I know who managed to walk into a town and in ten minutes, convince every single pony that you’d slain an Ursa Major. The only pony I know so brash and so bold, that you can brandish your own tongue like a silver whip. The only pony I know who beat the elements of harmony in one try without even breaking a sweat- and the only pony I know who MIGHT be capable of defeating ME in a duel. “ Twilight explained with an air of sickly confidence in her voice. A ghost of a smirk twisted across her lips when Trixie’s ears perked at the last line. THAT got her attention.

The voice was quiet- almost inaudible, just a grunting whisper, really. But it was there. Twilight had to strain to hear it- but it was there. “And just what would YOU know about dueling?” Trixie snorted quietly, although she didn’t bother to maneuver away from her slouched position on the couch. Twilight drank in a quiet breath and racked her brain for the perfect response. Rarity wouldn't have had to try. Rarity would have been able to pluck the words from the air like invisible poetry, without sounding too overtly aggressive, yet meek. Another silver tongue, a trait Twilight's magic couldn't match, but she'd come this far now and she'd drawn a response from Trixie, so it was now or never. Think Twilight think...Rarity...Rarity was here, she's standing right here with you, right here next to you! What would she say...How would she make this work...

"Oh not much. Just what I've read of your collection while you were gone." Twilight said, twisting her voice into an airy drawl of superiority. Trixie, to Twilight's surprise, had quite the collection of books regarding magic dueling, ancient and old, new and practical. From finer techniques to different schools of magic, to signed and autographed books by famous duelists. This too, caused a twitch from one of Trixie's exposed ears.

"You read my dueling volumes while I was gone? I have over forty seven books. " Trixie quipped quietly, while Twilight's cheeks reddened.

"I'm....I'm a fast reader. " The purple mare coughed. "But, hey, if you don't think you can cut it, I understand. I'll be outside. " Twilight announced before Trixie could get a word in edgewise, and swept herself outside, closing the door behind her. Thats where Twilight crumpled under the weight of her own plan. She'd been stupid to think it would have worked. She should have tried something else, should have came to a faster conclusion, a better answer! She was trying to help, but now she just looked like a total jacka-

The door opened behind her, snapping Twilight from her thoughts, and suddenly, Trixie had stepped out next to her, hat and cape dramatically covering her entirely, leaving just the glint of one of her eyes visible.

"Twilight? Trixie's about to kick that pretty purple flank of yours so hard, you'll have a hoofprint cutie mark when she's finished. " Trixie snarled, but all Twilight could hear, was a resounding cheer of success within her own head.

"YESSSSSS!"

Author's Note

This...this took WAY to long to finish!! BUT IT'S NOT DEAD DARLINGS!

Twilight's Trial

The sun showered through the canopy, splashing the little wooded path with an array of shadows and shapes. It was breath taking, really, but Trixie wandered through the splendor of the fauna without a second glace. Following closely behind, Twilight wondered just how often Trixie had come out here to practice. The path was well traveled, but so far, Twilight hadn't seen nor heard another individual during her time spent at Trixie's. Something seemed off about that- even with the Vexing Circle cursing the area, it seemed like Trixie's little cottage was absolutely isolated from the world at large.

"AHEM." Trixie's voice abruptly pulled Twilight out of her thoughts. The two had come to a small clearing surrounded by a rectangular scattering of trees. The grass was cut low, and soft, and the forest around them seemed to hush as Trixie spoke- like an audience waiting for the first act of a magician. The birds stopped chirping, the squirrels quit chittering, and nature itself seemed to hold it's breath for Trixie.

"Welcome to Trixie's little arena." The cobalt mage expounded, casually trotting over to a tree adjacent to Twilight, where she conveniently hung up her cape, and wizard's hat. She turned, grinning at Twilight over her shoulder with a sickly show of arrogance, and sat down quietly.

"Since you've allegedly read my volumes, you'll know Trixie gets to choose the battle field. Of course, Trixie chooses her home turf. " Trixie explained, her lip twisting slightly into a devious grin. This was going to be too easy. On the other side of the little make shift arena, Twilight sat down as well, and drew in a deep breath. She had cobbled together what could be considered the bare bones of a plan, and so far things had been working...

"Very well. T-then that means I get to choose the type of duel. I choose magic- Feather Fall. " Twilight exclaimed. Trixie balked. When Twilight had challenged her to a duel, she figured they'd be assaulting one another in a no holds barred contest of contempt! Not something she learned when she was five!

"Pathetic! Trixie thinks you're scared to face her in a proper duel! Feather Fall is for foals!" Trixie snarled. Twilight had to bite back a grin and simply shrugged her shoulders.

"Are you forfeiting, then? Book three, "A dummy's duel" states that as your opponent, I get to choose the duel type, since you choose the field. I choose Feather Fall. It's clear as day in black and white, on page forty-seven, second paragraph. It reads: After the challenge has been issu-"Twilight recited, but Trixie cut her off with a groan.

"UGH, Trixie KNOWS what it says, Twilight Sparkle. Humph. Trixie...Agrees to your pathetic duel. First to four. " Trixie grumbled. Now Twilight couldn't help but to grin, taking a slightly more relaxed position as they started to wager. Things would be much easier now. For a moment, she was afraid Trixie wouldn't agree but now with the duel type set in stone...

"First to five." Twilight grinned. Trixie narrowed her eyes.

"....First to six." She snorted, a vicious grin twisting over her features. Twilight bit at her lower lip. Surely Trixie wouldn't go any higher than seven...she was arrogant, not stupid. There was just no way..."

"First...to...seven." Twilight sputtered quietly. Trixie frowned.

"First to eight!" She barked. Twilight's eyes widened.

"Y, you can't be serious! " She snapped. Trixie 's grin grew wider and she gave a snort.

"If you cannot agree to Trixie's wager, than Trixie believes the rules state you forfeit, Twilight Sparkle!" The blue unicorn snorted. To her surprise, Twilight climbed to her hooves, and lowered her head, scuffling the ground with her right leg.

"Accepted." Twilight grinned. Trixie narrowed her eyes. It. Was. On.

The left half of the field was Trixie's and the right side was Twilight's. Thats where they started; glaring quietly at one another while their horns tingled- ready to launch a spell and counter spell at a moment's notice. Trixie was to go first, as stated by the book- she was being challenged, so she was allowed the first strike.

It didn't take long before Trixie shot first, sending a lavish burst of magic that thundered towards Twilight Sparkle. The purple mare dipped to her left, letting the shot race harmlessly by and narrowed her eyes. The blast wasn't meant to connect; and Twilight knew it. Trixie was practiced at this. Her expression, her stance, everything about her screamed of skill. She stood there with a smug little grin over her muzzle and coldly glared at Twilight. Trixie was learning her behavior- taking Twilight's stature, movements and abilities into consideration. The first shot had been just a test, and now that it was Twilight's turn, Trixie let her lips twitch into a larger grin.

Slowly, Twilight started to pace towards her left, letting her options tumble about in her mind. Trixie remained stoic and still, that fiendish little grin of hers setting Twilight ill at ease. It was psychological, Twilight realized with a cold shutter. She had absolutely no idea what Trixie was going to do next, and with that intense glare and smug grin, Trixie seemed to know it.

"She's in my head...No! NO! Focus, Twilight! You can do this. She thinks she's figured you out, but think about Trixie. You know her...you KNOW her...And she doesn't know you as well as she thinks..." With that, Twilight leapt to her right, suddenly, from her casual pacing to her left, and zapped a bolt of energy at the staring mare.

Even if the angle changed from what she was expecting, Trixie casually threw out a hoof in a dismissive gesture and deflected the shot without a hint of effort. She grinned.

"Is this the best Celestia's pet can do? I was expecting a challenge, Twilight Sparkle!" Trixie snorted. It was an insult meant to grab Twilight's attention- disrupt her focus and substitute it for anger. A twitch of a frown was all that Trixie needed to see, and when it happened, she leapt to her right and fired a bolt that curved like a boomerang. It was the perfect plan leading up to a perfect shot- and Twilight failed to avoid the magic that crashed into her neck. One point for Trixie. The blue mage grinned.

The spell's effect took place immediately, the beam twisting it's shape into a soft, blue feather that began to delicately brush back and forth along Twilight's neck. She gave a grunt and squeezed her eyes closed, trying to ignore the sensation and focus on her next attack. Her next shot was off, a beam of energy that should have smashed into Trixie's shoulder, but the blue mare dodged the blast easily, now that Twilight's concentration was being assaulted.

Trixie's next shot was to see that it continued. Once a pony had the upperhoof in a feather fall duel, it was oft impossible to regain the ground. The instant after Twilight's shot missed, Trixie focused a blast far to her left. At first it looked like she'd missed entirely, the beam spiraling from her horn was waaaay off target- but thats what Trixie was counting on- and even though the beam was way off, Twilight leapt to the side anyway- perfect.

The beam flashed past the purple pony, and crashed into a tree on her left- then bounced to a tree behind her- then bounced again and caught Twilight by surprise- forcing a sharp squeal from the dorky girl.

The blast caught her square in her pretty purple posterior.

Within half a second, the feather had formed, and was now casually brushing up and down the cleft of Twilight's bottom like a paintbrush. Immediately, Twilight gave another squeal, and wriggled her hips, trying to dislodge the gentle strokes, but the feather remained adamant in it's task. Who knew she would be so sensitive THERE of all places?! It was a distraction- something to keep her mind occupied on instead of Trixie. Twilight gave a hard snort and braced herself, trying to ignore both the feather along her neck, and the one gently swirling across her behind, narrowing her eyes at her opponent. If THATS the way Trixie wanted to play, spatial geometry was something Twilight could do, feathers or not.

Immediately, Twilight fired her next shot- the calculations spilling through her mind almost faster than she could keep up with- but her math was perfect. Like always. The purple shot was aimed low- lower than something Trixie was prepared for. She'd expected another near miss, but the shot rocketed forward near her ankles, crashed into the grass, and took a sharp turn upwards- hitting it's target with dreadful accuracy. The purple feather appeared immediately, casually swirling in tight little circles directly around Trixie's belly button. To Twilight's surprise, Trixie immediately burst into a squeal of giggles. She was staggering back and forth but after a moment or so, she got her hooves back underneath her, and her laughter under control. But it was too late. Now Twilight knew exactly where to aim.

Tensing her tummy, and biting down on her lower lip, Trixie managed to fire off an awkward, wobbly shot that narrowly missed Twilight's head. Twilight ducked down, and in the middle of doing so, fired a blast of magic energy that arced high in the sky and dropped down in front of Trixie, hitting the ground at the perfect angle to land in the exact same spot the first shot had landed.

Now Trixie was in trouble. She never expected Twilight to get TWO hits off on her- especially not her tummy, and especially not in a ROW! With two feathers spiraling clockwise and counterclockwise around her little blue bellybutton, Trixie was struggling to stay on her hooves. If she submit to the torture of the feathers- to fall over into a helpless fit of squealing giggles- Twilight would win. That thought alone made her blood boil and she narrowed her eyes.

Through the haze of laughter, Trixie tried for another blast, bouncing it off a tree to Twilight's right. Twilight, however was ready for this one- or so she thought. The magic beam crashed into the tree- but when it ricocheted towards Twilight it split into two- one that Twilight managed to dodge, the other catching her in the shoulder. Trixie had three points, and Twilight had only managed two. This was bad- and became worse when the feather formed, and slid under Twilight's right arm pit.

The poor mare stumbled forward, and her legs buckled. Her front legs, for a split second, crumpled underneath her, and she had to fight to stay upright. Of course, this position threw her rump into the air, and seemed to intensify the effect of Trixie's second fiendish feather dancing along her butt in teasing little spirals, starting at the very top of her cleft and lazily working it's way down. (Idly, Twilight made a mental note to exercise slightly more and study slightly less, seeing as her southern contours made for a much more expansive area to tickle than she realized.) She was fighting a losing battle, and she knew it. If she could somehow make it to eight points, and NOT succumb to the voracious sensation of Trixie's spells, she might have a chance of outlasting her. But she had her doubts she could handle one more, let alone five more feathers. She had to do something- she had to end this now.

Trixie, for the most part, had lost her smug grin and was squealing in girlish little shrieks of laughter (Which Twilight had to admit, was pretty adorable.) She staggered forward and back, working to keep herself upright from the twin feathers teasing her tummy. Twilight's next shot wasn't anything special. It didn't loop, or curve or spiral to catch Trixie off guard- it simple barreled forward and caught Trixie in the face.

The feather formed instantly, and began to trace a wicked pattern along the jutting extension of Trixie's horn, a place all unicorns were dreadfully sensitive. Trixie was no exception. She gave a yelp when the feather twirled slowly around the base of her horn, before following it slowly up to the tip, where it dusted back and forth before it's slow, torturous decent back to the base to repeat the motion.

Concentration was all but lost at this point, and all Trixie could manage was a choked sputtering fit of laughter. Blinded by tears, she fired a shot towards Twilight's side of the arena. She couldn't see, but from the shriek of surprise she heard, she knew she hit SOME part of Twilight.

"Y, You can't, yohhahaahaha, Yo, you're cheating!" Twilight managed over her roar of giggles. Trixie tried to respond, but her voice was lost to yelps and whoops of laughter. Cheating? What was the crazy mare babbling about?

"R, Rules! HAHAHAHAha R, Ruleahahahahahaa Stahahahahahaha, state you, Heheehehee c, can't aim for thaahahahahahahaha." Twilight cried. Even now, still a stickler on rules. Trixie would have argued that she couldn't see where she had hit Twilight, and that it was unintentional whatever happened, but it didn't matter. Still blinded by her tears, Trixie didn't see it coming- something warm crashed into her and sent her tumbling to the ground. Twilight.

The purple pony had charged across the arena and dove into Trixie in a full on tackle. If Trixie was going to cheat, then so would she! They rolled and wrestled for a few moments, before their concentrations had totally shattered, and the feathers vanished from sight.

Now, awkwardly nestled atop each other, Trixie panted heavily and found herself nose to nose with Twilight, who was also trying her best to catch her breath. She blushed as did Twilight, her nose brushing along the other pony's, and Trixie couldn't help but feel a tug at her lips, twisting into a shy, petite smile.

"A, are you ok?" Twilight stammered. Trixie nodded her head as best she could, but still lacked the capacity for speech. Twilight seemed the same way, since she hadn't moved from their awkward embrace.

"...Feel better?" The purple pony asked. Trixie's eyes widened for a moment and it hit her all at once. She'd just had the day from Tartarus, and instead of sulking in misery, she spent the last hour outside, dueling with her friend. Better? She felt GREAT. Wait...Friend? Since when was Twilight Sparkle her FRIEND?

Slowly, Trixie gave a perplexed nod and closed her eyes. Had this been Twilight's plan all along? Get her outside and tickle her until she felt better? Rough housing and dueling together like they were old friends? No. Twilight was just trying to find a way to get even for kidnapping her. Trixie frowned.

"Trixie knows of your plot, Twilight. Do not think you'll avoid your fate tonight. " She snorted. Twilight waggled an exhausted hoof and closed her eyes, still sucking air in deep, labored breaths.

"Tha, that's fine...c, can we rest a minute, though?" She squeaked. Trixie closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath, which was riddled with Twilight's tangy scent. There was no getting around it- it was the first duel Trixie had in a long time, and never could she remember having quite so much fun.

"Ok." She sputtered quietly. She was in no particular hurry to move herself. It was there, with the sweet smelling grass, and the evening sun starting to fade, that Twilight fell asleep in Trixie's arms, the two of them cuddled together like house cats.

As the stars slowly popped into view, and the warm summer night cast a blanket over the two of them, Trixie contemplated what horrid tortures she'd come up with for Twilight Sparkle. How she'd make her suffer for the humiliation and teach her once and for all who should have been Celestia's TRUE student. Twilight snuggled into her arms and gave a quiet little sigh of contentment, wrapping her arms around Trixie with a sleepy little squeeze. Trixie frowned. It would have been cruel to wake her up now. Absolutely cruel. Twilight just looked so comfortable and relaxed and Trixie just couldn't take that away from her. No, it was part of dueling etiquette, she was sure. Something about giving your opponent a break after a long hard duel. Somewhere in the back of one of her books. She was sure about it. Tomorrow. Tomorrow she'd take care of Twilight Sparkle. Yes. Tomorrow.

But for tonight? Tonight felt like a good night to sleep underneath the stars.

Author's Note

What? ...
You didn't think this story was DEAD, did you? ;)

Twilight's Treat

The light found her buried underneath her covers and her sheets; her head suckled by her pillow and the comfort of her bed wrapped around her like a hug. Twilight drew open a lazy eye and let it trace around her room.

Her room?

Trixie's room. The one Twilight had been using for the past week. Outside, somewhere there were birds singing to the sun, and the sweet, succulent smell of breakfast was gently prodding Twilight's nose, and it was more than enough to draw her to her hooves and venture into the cottage.

On the center of the table was a golden stack of waffles, caressed with syrup, butter, and an assortment of berries. Trixie was standing at the kitchen sink, swinging her hindquarters back and forth, humming a version of "Momma's little filly loves shortnin' bread." She turned and flashed Twilight a gentle smile, before returning to the sink, where she cleaned and scrubbed the dishes.

Quietly, Twilight sat down at the table, and Trixie joined her shortly after, leaning forward with her hooves under her chin and grinning from ear to ear.

"Go on...Try them. They're scrumptious." Trixie grinned. Twilight rolled her eyes, but indeed sliced a portion of the waffles free and slid it into her mouth. Her eyes widened, and Trixie's grin grew. They weren't just scrumptious, they were magnificent! And Trixie knew it. Twilight rolled her eyes and leaned back, giving a playful little shrug.

"...Eh...they're ok...I guess." She said as apathetically as possible. Trixie drew back with an overly dramatic grasp and lifted up on her hindlegs, hooves over her heart, as if she'd been struck.

"LIES! BLASPHMEY! TRIXIE'S WAFFLES ARE THE GREATEST WAFFLES YOU HAVE EVER EATEN, TWILIGHT SPARKLE!" The blue mage snarled. Twilight almost- alllllmost apologized....before she noticed the slight hint of a smile twitching at Trixie's lips.

Again, Twilight shrugged and took another bite, looking thoughtful as she rolled the delicious morsel about on her tongue. Her lips twitched into a grin.

"Eh...I dunnoooo...I've had Applejack's. Those were pretty good." She giggled. Trixie frowned and crossed her arms with a snort.

"See if Trixie ever makes breakfast for you again! Trixie's great and amazing waffles are not for the likes of a pony whom cannot appreciate the taste of such delicacies!!" Trixie snarled. Twilight slammed a hoof onto the table and gave a growl.

"Oh yeah? I will have you know, I am an AMAZING cook! I have dined at the castle and with the finest chefs! You want a delicacy? I'll make you the greatest breakfast you've ever had tomorrow! So AMAZING that your head will explode!!" Twilight barked. Trixie rolled her eyes and snickered.

"Trixie will believe it when she tastes it! HUMPH!" The blue mare grinned, sitting down across from Twilight. They both burst into giggles after a few moments and began to indulge in the creamy delight of Trixie's waffly goodness.

"You know, Trixie, it occurs to me, that I've never actually SEEN your show." Twilight said, her mouth full of syrup and waffle. Trixie frowned, perking her ears in curiosity. Nonsense, Twilight had seen it when she entered ponyville. There was the huge crowd and...no wait...it devolved into Trixie humiliating Twilight's friends who dared heckle her. Slowly, Trixie nodded her head. Twilight hadn't ever seen it...

"...Trix-" Twilight began, only to be silenced when Trixie erupted from her seat with a dramatic sway of her arms.

"SILENCE! The great and powerful Trixie, is deciding if she should AWE you with the majesty of her performance! It is a show to explosive to believe! It will leave you stupefied and struggling to understand what you've just witness! Trixie is not sure if Twilight could HANDLE the incredible brilliance of Trixie's MAGIC." Trixie exclaimed.

Twilight stared at Trixie.

Trixie stared at Twilight.

Twilight stared at Trixie.

Trixie stared at Twilight.

"....Gimme five minutes. " Trixie mumbled, and quickly dipped into her room, and shut the door.

Five minutes came and went, slipping into nothingness. Then ten minutes. Then an hour riddled with "Just a minutes" and "Almost dones" From the other side of Trixie's door. Twilight was dozing on the couch when the explosion forced her to jolt upright and wide eyed. There, out of nowhere, with a haze of blueberry smelling mist, was Trixie. Her arms were out stretched, her cape billowed behind her, and her teeth gleamed with an extra super shiny gleam.

"BEHOLD THE WONDEROUS MAGICS, OF THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE!!!" The mare shrieked. Twilight tilted her head to one side, watching in wonder, and Trixie frowned. And coughed. And frowned again.

"...AHEM..." She snorted. Twilight gasped and quickly started clapping, which resulted in a warm smile.
"THANK YOU, THANK YOU! PLEASE, HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE, PLEASE, PLEASE, TRIXIE IS AWARE SHE IS AMAZING, BUT TRY TO CONTROL YOURSELVES!" Trixie barked. Twilight sighed. What had she gotten herself into?

"Trixie has been from one corner of this world, to another, through cities and villages, and NEVER has Trixie come across such a spectacular place as THIS town! Trixie is VERY glad to be here, and VERY thankful you get to watch her perform! As a world traveled master magician, Trixie has heard stories, and tales, and experienced the unbelievable! Trixie battled with the Leviathan of Aquastria, discovered buried treasure in Saddle Arabia, defeated an Ursa Major in the Green Mountains and even rescued a flock of Breezies from a tyrannical dictator! Yes, Trixie knows all, and tells all, and for TODAY, you lucky ponies, get to hear one of Trixie's magnificent tales!! Trixie, shall tell the tale of...THE BUZZARDS LAST MEAL!"

Twilight tilted her head. The Buzzards last meal? Trixie was beaming a grin and waved her hooves- as she did, the corners of Twilight's vision grew dark, darker and darker still, until Trixie was the only thing she could see. Illusion magic, of course. Twilight was impressed at the transition of the spell, and how seamlessly it occurred with so little effect.

"On an adventure in the neighara desert, it was a hot, hot, hot day. "Trixie explained, spreading her arms, and as she talked, sand began to blow over Twilight's hooves, and the room started to heat in temperature.

"It was HOT. How hot, you ask? Well, the woodchuck wouldn't chuck wood, the spider wouldn't sit down beside her, the sheep wouldn't go near the meadow, and the cow said "Nu uh!" to the corn. Trixie's point has been made. It was a HOT day...and on this hot day- there were no creatures to be seen ANYWHERE....Except one. And that one, was the buzzard. A large bird, most notable for it's colors! Oh, yes, very very strange! You see, this buzzard had bright yellow feathers and a bright pink beak! ...Wait...wait no that's not right. It had bright red feathers and a bright blue beak! Hold on, that isn't it either. ERmm, was it green feathers and a purple beak? HUMPH. YOU THERE! What color was the buzzard?" Trixie shouted, pointing a hoof at Twilight. Twilight frowned. How in Equestria was SHE supposed to know what this imaginary buzzard looked like? She shrugged. Trixie frowned.

"Trixie has asked you a question! What. Color. Was. The. Buzzard?" She snapped. Twilight was at a loss. What was she supposed to say? Was it a riddle? A game? Slowly, Twilight bit at her lower lip and shook her head.

"Um...purple...and blue" Twilight asked nervously. Trixie flashed a mysterious grin, and slowly took her hat off, and placed it on the floor in front of Twilight.

"That's right, that's right! It was a purple and blue buzzard!!" Trixie announced, and lifted her hat. To Twilight's complete and utter amazement- there it was. A semi transparent illusion of a buzzard, with bright purple feathers and a big blue beak. Twilight was transfixed and her mouth dropped open. Trixie had conjured an illusion of Twilight's specific words. Even if she clearly had the spell memorized before hoof, and did a color swap, this was quite impressive.

"Buzzard flew rooooound and roooound and roooound . " Trixie explained, and the little buzzard illusion slowly started to swoop around in the room.

"You see, it was breakfast time, and Buzzard was quite hungry. He was lookin' for something, or someone to eat! Well after a short search, Buzzard spied a little rabbit poking his head out of his burrow in the ground! The rabbit was white...err...no, pink? Green? Ugh. Trixie is horrible with colors. YOU, there! What color was the rabbit?!" Trixie barked, pointing at Twilight again. This time, Twilight's grin stretched out so hard it made her face sore.

"Yellow!" Twilight giggled, and to her merriment, Trixie placed her hat on the floor again, and when she lifted it up, there was an adorable little yellow rabbit peering up at her. Twilight squealed and clomped her hooves against the floor, but Trixie's story continued.

"Well, Buzzard, quicker than a flash, shot down and tried to grab that little rabbit but- rabbit was quicker still. The bunny shot back into his hole and Buzzard landed right next to it.

"MMmmmm, Hello Rabbit...why doncha come out and play for a while?" Buzzard squawked.

"Nope! Not today! Too hot outside! Hot up there, hot down here, hot everywhere, ain't goin' no where!" The bunny squeaked. Well, besides it being hot...the bunny knew about the buzzards reputation, and wasn't about to be fooled into leaving his home- but Buzzard was more than a little crafty.

"Oh, if it's the heat that's bothering, you I can help. You see, I fly up high, where the coconuts grow...way up high, where the cool breezes blows!" Buzzard sang. He flapped his wings once, then twice, and suddenly..."

Trixie grinned. Twilight was watching in awe, and the blue pony placed her hat to the floor. When she lifted it up, there was a coconut float underneath- a long red and white straw sticking out of it, ice bubbling all over it, foam and whipped cream and a cherry on top.

Yes, thats right, there was a huge coconut float sitting next to Buzzard. "Just the thing to beat the heat!" Buzzard said, and that's all the little rabbit needed. He climbed up out of his hole and grabbed hold of the little float and started drinking it down. MMMMMMMMM it was good!" Trixie announced. While the little illusion bunny was drinking the float, Trixie placed her hat upon the ground and lifted it- revealing a second float, one that she nudged towards Twilight. Curiously, Twilight reached out and took the soda float in her hooves. It felt...real?

She pulled the straw to her lips.

It ...was...real? IT WAS A REAL FLOAT?! Twilight's eyed bulged out as the cool, creamy treat trickled down her throat. Impossible. How could that be possible?! It was an illusion! It was supposed to be an illusion! How had Trixie done it?! Trixie, however, continued right along with her story, not breaking her character in the slightest, even though it tickled her to no end how absolutely astonished Twilight seemed.

"Want to go for a little ride, Rabbit? Nice and cool up in the air..." Buzzard squawked. The rabbit couldn't say no. Not now that his lips were wrapped around the straw of that delicious float. Why not? He climbed up on Buzzard's back and the two of them took off. Up, up, up into the sky they went, higher and higher. Buzzard circled around once....then twice....and the rabbit closed his eyes. It was so wonderfully cool, and relaxing and refreshing, just as Buzzard said! Twilight could feel the breeze over her face and whipping back her mane. It was WONDERFUL!

And then...Buzzard grinned. "Time for a landing, Rabbit!" He said. Rabbit didn't notice that wicked smile and kept drinking that wonderful float- just as Twilight did.

The little illusion buzzard quickly pulled into a steep dive-bombing dive! He shot towards the ground at a tremendous speed- and pulled up juuuuuuuust at the last minute." Trixie announced, and let Twilight watch the little bunny slip from Buzzard's back and go crashing to the ground. The room went dark. Trixie disappeared, as did the sand and the heat, the buzzard and the bunny. Nothing but darkness.

"And that...was buzzards breakfast." Trixie's voice whispered.

"...About lunch time...Buzzard was getting hungry, again. He'd been lucky that morning, and he decided to try his luck again!" Sand blew over Twilight's hooves and the heat returned, sweltering down on the poor thing. The Buzzard reappeared, purple feathers, blue beak, and circling in the 'sky' above Twilight's head.

"Well...after a little bit of searching, there was an adorable squirrel that poked his head out of his tree. This squirrel, too, was oddly colored...he was um....um...uh...Lil help?" Trixie asked. Twilight gasped, ears perked and a wide smile twisted across her face.

"Red! No, green!" Twilight barked. Trixie grinned and placed her hat down on the floor. When she lifted it up, there was an adorable, lime green squirrel standing in front of Twilight. Tail all twisting and flickering. Well, when Buzzard saw that squirrel, he shot down and landed on the branch- but Squirrel was inside already.

"Hey, Squirrel...why dontcha-'" Buzzard began, but the squirrel was smarter than that crafty old buzzard.

"Not. Interested. " Said the squirrel, and Twilight giggled, when the squirrel held up a little paw to shoo the buzzard away. But Buzzard wasn't about to give up. Ooooh no- this little squirrel was lunch...Buzzard did his little trick, pulling out a delicious coconut float (One Twilight expected would go to another member of the audience if there were any other ponies watching)

Well, that little Illusion squirrel couldn't help himself when he saw the sight of that delicious looking coconut float. He scampered out onto the tree and grabbed the glass, suckling on it reeeeeeal tight. Buzzard grinned.

"Say...Squirrel...you know an even better way to beat the heat? How about a ride?" Buzzard asked quietly.

"NO! DON'T DO IT! IT'S A TRAP!" Twilight screamed suddenly. Her cheeks turned crimson and she bit her lower lip- but Trixie just grinned.

"O, ok..." Said Squirrel, climbing up on Buzzards back. The two went into the sky- and the same familiar breeze rippled past Twilight's mane. She sighed, sipping nervously on her float, while Buzzard circled around, and around...

"Headin' down for a laaaanding, Squirrel!" Buzzard explained- but Twilight didn't see anymore. She squeezed her eyes shut and waited.

All she heard next, was "And Buzzard, had Squirrel for lunch. "

The room was dark again, complete and totally black when she opened her eyes. No Buzzard. No Squirrel. No sand or sun. Just the darkness. And Trixie's Voice.

"Now, you may be wondering how Trixie knows of this tale, and this buzzard? Well, Trixie DID say she dug for buried treasure in the desert and that is just what she was doing! Trixie discovered MANY precious, priceless jewels in her search!" Trixie explained, and pulled of her hat. Reaching into it, the blue mage casually tossed something into the audience.

Candy!

Red 'gems' that were atomic fireballs. 'Emeralds' that were green jolly ranchers, Black liquorish, grape jaw breakers, all of it scattering across the floor in front of Twilight, who was rapt with attention.

"But while Trixie was busy, Trixie also noticed this nefarious Buzzard, and Trixie decided he needed to be taught a lesson. So that evening...when Buzzard came around again...Trixie was waiting for him!

Buzzard reappeared- circling around and around the sky. Sand rippled over Twilight's hooves. The sun was hot. The float was gone, and there was nothing but the Buzzard flying in the sky. Trixie had vanished. But there...there she was. An illusion of Trixie- tiny and standing in the middle of a small 'desert' watching Buzzard flying around.

Eventually, the Buzzard spotted Trixie and went down to investigate. Trixie seemed much much smaller, than normal- the size of a foal.

"Hello little pony! My goodness, what are you doing so far from home?" Asked Buzzard. Trixie looked up and sniffled quietly. "I'm lost...c, can you help me find my mommy?" Buzzard grinned an evil grin and nodded his head.

"Well, I think I can help ya, why don'tcha just go ahead and climb onto my back, we'll have a look in the sky!" The Buzzard explained, but before Buzzard could take off, Trixie's illusion vanished, and the regular sized Trixie leapt forward, pouncing the buzzard and holding him by his neck.

"Trixie believes YOU, have been a very naughty bird, and YOU are going to keep your floats, your claws, and your flights, ALL to your self from NOW. ON. " Trixie snarled. Buzzard squealed in surprise, flapping his wings and kicking his feet, but he was no match for a full sized pony. It was that day, that the buzzard learned a lesson- and it is why today, you only find Buzzards that eat dead meat. "

Trixie explained. The buzzard, the squirrel, and the rabbit all reappeared and gave a formal bow in front of Twilight, as did Trixie, flashing her brightest smile. Twilight couldn't help herself. When the lights came back on, and the illusions had all vanished, a minute later, Twilight was still clapping wildly.

"THAT WAS INCREDIBLE, TRIXIE! That was the most amazing story telling I'd ever seen! And the way you blended your magic in with it, making me feel like I was really there! And the float! HOW DID YOU DO THE FLOAT?! That was...that was...m, more! MORE!" Twilight squealed. Trixie's cheeks turned a dark shade of crimson and she casually waved a dismissive hoof.

"Thank you, Thank you, Trixie is AWARE she is great and powerful...b, but Trixie now needs...a...nap..." Trixie mumbled, and stumbled forward suddenly into Twilight's arms.

"What? Trixie are...are you...?" Twilight squeaked, but she already knew the answer. Illusions like the kind Trixie was doing were powerful. Especially doing them on the fly. Especially mixing them all together, with illusions atop illusions layered over other illusions. The candy, the float, telling the story, all while visually animating it ...Trixie had to have been casting, and channeling multiple spells at once. Twilight was in awed. The poor pony had stretched her powers to the limit- over strained herself all on the sake of putting on a show for Twilight.

"A show for me. She was trying to impress me."

Quietly, Twilight helped Trixie into her room. Twilight had never ventured into it, since she'd started staying at the cottage, but here she was in Trixie's inner sanctum, trying to hold up Trixie herself.

There was a huge vanity mirror pressed against the wall, a dressed with a few pictures sitting on it. A small white bed in the corner, and a wardrobe closet against the adjacent wall. There were pictures hanging left and right, older and younger ponies, Twilight assumed were Trixie's family. Slowly, she helped Trixie into bed and drew the covers over her. Trixie shivered and mumbled something quietly, but other than a meek waggle of a hoof- she didn't stir. Twilight frowned. Mana sickness. She could tell instantly. The poor thing was going to be out for a while until her body restored enough magical energy to function again. It was a condition most young unicorns encountered when over using spells for the first time. After a while they would learn to balance it, but it was known to happen to adults too. Especially unicorns that made excessive use of magic. Like Trixie. Every show...she did this for every show, Twilight realized. Twilight's mouth spilled open and she stared at the unconscious unicorn in front of her. Trixie gave it all for her family- she had said. She was sacrificing her health to make money for her family...and now...

She was sacrificing her health for Twilight. Twilight almost felt bad for Trixie- almost... until the hanging portrait on the wall drew every inch of Twilight's attention.

It was a medium sized portrait. Hanging in silence on the wall. It was a painting of shadowy trees in a forest somewhere. There was something about it- something familiar, like she'd been to that place before. Like she'd visited a place in a painting. Twilight's mouth dropped open.

The whole cottage was like a painting.

The place was picture perfect.

No other ponies around.

The food was always perfect, because it was supposed to be.

Run as far as she could but she was right back at Trixie's cottage.

Always sunny. Perfect weather. Everything got silent when Trixie wanted to duel. No squirrels. No wildlife. Twilight stared at the painting, until she realized it was the Everfree forest, she was looking into. It wasn't a painting.

It was a window.

It was right there, in front of Twilight's face the whole time! It was no vexing circle that was keeping her prisoner! It was no horrible curse! It was an enchanted painting that Trixie used to pull Twilight into a world that SHE controlled. How dare she.

HOW! DARE! SHE! Ripped away from her home in the middle of the night, her friends worried sick, no contact with anypony else other than TRIXIE for almost an entire week! Twilight slowly glanced back at Trixie, who tossed feverishly on the bed back and forth. She was sick...

Served her right though...it's what she deserved -And as far as Twilight was concerned, she deserved to go home. The purple unicorn took a deep breath and walked forward, until she could reach up at touch the painting- her hoof disappeared. That was the key.

Twilight leapt forward and vanished into a blinding light.

Author's Note

One more chapter to go!!

(Changed the name of this chapter to "Twilight's Treat" from "Trixie's tragedy" Since both of those make for better titles as they describe the chapters more so.)

Trixie's Tragedy

Since Twilight had put her to bed, Trixie had tossed and turned in feverish exhaustion. She'd fallen asleep almost instantly, and every time she tried to wake up, her body rejected the notion. She'd used to much magic. She broke her personal rule of never casting more than four illusions at a time, and for what?

Twilight Sparkle.

Trixie groaned and pulled herself into a sitting position. Her body ached and her horn throbbed, and all she wanted to do was sleep, but for some reason, her little cottage felt...cold?

"...Twilight?" Trixie called out meekly. Her ears perked. No reply. She probably couldn't hear her. Her voice felt raw and choked. Quietly, Trixie slipped out of bed on wobbly hooves and made her way towards the door.

"T, Twilight?" She groaned. No response. The kitchen was empty. Maybe Twilight was taking a nap? The blue pony quietly knocked on Twilight's door, before slowly nosing it open. The bed had been unslept in, but made tidily by somepony obsessed with order. Outside? Maybe Twilight was outside. Probably practicing in the arena for their next big duel. Trixie grinned and lurched her way back into her room- and froze on the spot.

The Portrait was warm. She could feel the tingles of magical energy rippling from the doorway and her ears peeled back against her skull. That couldn't be...! The portrait had been used, but she hadn't touched it...that meant..

"TWILIGHT?!" Trixie hollered, throwing herself back into the kitchen, and swinging the front door of the cottage open. The sun was shining brightly, and the grass smelled sweet. There was no sign of Twilight.

"No....n, no no no...TWILIGHT?! HELLO!? TWILIGHT!!!" Trixie screamed. There was no reply. Her legs gave out from underneath her and Trixie collapsed to the ground in the open doorway. Alone.

She was alone again. But that was fine. She was used to being alone. The life of a show mare was a lonely one with few friends and little love. Thats the way she liked it, after all. Why couldn't she stop crying? Her plan was ruined. The revenge, the torture, the justice! All of it was gone- washed away like a dream, leaving her world grey, bleak and cold.

It was an empty cottage again, filled with a deafening silence that Trixie could not escape from. Just like before. Before Twilight came along, before Trixie set hoof in Ponyville, and so many years before that. Empty.

Trixie crawled from the doorway, letting the cottage door close in her wake. She peered into the kitchen, where the freshly picked fruit sat quietly in a bowl. The apples she'd picked for Twilight. The plates and dishes set just right- just to appease orderly obsessed unicorn. Her favorite books of dueling, volumes 1-45 in perfect order (She was missing volume 33, but still) The silence of the cottage was unbearable and the reminders of Twilight's visit left and endless echo of memory ringing in her ears. She couldn't stop sobbing, and she didn't know why. Everything inside was broken and twisted somehow- like her soul had shattered into a million jagged pieces, and someone had put hot coals on her chest.

She couldn't take it anymore. She couldn't keep doing this; this wretched life of isolation and misery. Twilight had gone back to her marvelous castle- her tree of knowledge and friends, tutored by a goddess and beloved by a town.

And all Trixie had wanted just a taste. Just a moment of glory. A few seconds of love. She wanted her friends to drop by, and randomly throw her a party! She wanted a friend who would move the sky for her! To bend clouds and fight the rain, and clear the sky so the sun could shine just for her. Just once.

Just once, she wanted someone to make her a dress. Not a fan, or wanting something in return, but just because it would make her smile. She wanted a pony who would invite her over for tea, and surround her with a singing chorus of birds, or a friend who begged her to come over, and try the latest recipes she'd been working on. And they would come over, and watch her special magic show- a sneak peek performance for her closest friends, and they'd always get in for free. They'd come for the show and defend her if she got heckled. The empty applause and heartless compliments would be replaced with love! Real, honest to goodness love and friendship! The phony managers and the fake admirers wouldn't stand a chance to the ponies she called her closest friends.

They wouldn't leave her. They'd always be right by her side. No more birthday parties where she was the only attendant. No more empty days of endless practice and dueling with trees! No more one sided conversations at dinner. They'd never leave her cold, sick and alone...helpless in a magic portrait, because a real home was too expensive.

She climbed back into her room and closed the door. The sheets were cold in her bed. The pillow too. Everything was cold. But it didn't really matter. Nothing really did. She hugged her pillow, and tried to relax, but the tears wouldn't stop.

It was never about justice or revenge or hatred- and if at some point that it was, those desires twisted and turned and transformed into something else in Trixie's belly.

And as the mana sickness pulled Trixie back into a restless slumber, she slowly realized Twilight was never coming back. When she had left, so did the dangling prospect of friendship.

Of companionship.

Of a relationship.

And all the other potential Twilight promised with her presence.

The only thing the purple pony had left behind was a tiny spark of hope. It danced, and flickered and glimmered in her mind, tormenting the poor mare as her vision got dark, and the room began to spin.

She might come back. She might come back. Please come back. Please don't leave me...Please

Trixie held onto that hope as tightly as she could. It was her life jacket as despair washed over her in giant sweeping waves. She gasped for breath and tried to fight the tide, but it was crushing her. Drowning her. Pulling her under. Taking her to a dark place, she never wanted to visit again. That horrible place where there was no solace and no salvation- just a thousand condemning whispers.
Twilight was never coming back.
Trixie was meant to be alone.
No one could ever love her.
No one would ever love her.
And if any one did, it would end up just everything else in Trixie's life.
An illusion.

Author's Note

annnnnnnnnnnnnnd the HEART BREAKER.

OH, how DRAMATIC! (The BEST kind of stories, darling)
What a horrid ending! What a dreadful conclusion! How can love bloom and then be plucked by the root before it can be appreciated?!

...
Hope you enjoyed the story! It's over.
I am definitely NOT writing one more chapter and wrapping this all up.
Nope.
Perish the thought.
Absolutely not.
So sad.
....
maybe...

Twilight's Turnaround

Empty. That's the word she was looking for. Empty. Twilight felt empty- like there was a hole in her soul and everything that could hold her attention was spilling out of it. Everything important was back where she came- The shrouded path through the Everfree Forest that lead to the little hidden wagon where she had emerged from.

To Twilight's surprise, the portrait in Trixie's cottage lead to a similar looking picture that was hung up precariously inside of Trixie's wagon. There was nothing else inside, but what more could one really need with an entire stocked cottage hidden in a painting? Twilight had to admit it...it was clever. Trixie was clever. She'd give her that much; Trixie was very very clever. And talented! The show she had put on absolutely floored Twilight, and the illusions seemed so real- and then they WERE real!! How? Was it a teleport spell? Slight of hoof? Did she have that coconut float under her hat the ENTIRE time?! And if she did, what tremendous concentration it took to keep her balance, while telling a story AND flooding the audience with illusions! No wonder Trixie came down with Mana Sickness.

Hmm...Mana Sickness...Most cures that were over the counter provided only temporary relief, but Twilight's mother had oft answered the cry for a remedy with lemon juice, some sage, a bowl of rainbow berries, and some vanilla extract with a dash of honey. Twilight, in retrospect didn't quite know how it was supposed to help, but it had always made her feel better. She wondered if it would work for Trixie...

Twilight's defiant gait from Trixie's wagon slowly drew to a crawl and the unicorn slowly came to a stop. What was she thinking?! She was kidnapped and held against her will- Trixie threatened her, claimed she'd be tortured, and trapped her inside of an enchanted painting!!

So why was it harder and harder to walk away from the wagon? Twilight sat down quietly and let her gaze peer down the gloomy trail. Kidnapped, threatened, held prisoner...Which lead to breakfast being served. Massages, studying and rolling around and tickling each other. A fantastic story, cuddling and ...and...

And slowly, Twilight realized one of the most fun weeks, she'd ever had in her entire life was all thanks to Trixie. Trixie...who was the only pony Twilight could think of that had the talent to push Twilight's magical abilities to their limits. The only pony Twilight knew who practiced and studied and learned to obsessive levels- the number of books in her cottage spoke to that. Those moves Trixie used in the duel were no amateur level skills. The blue mage must have spent hours and hours studying and practicing...and the story? That terrific story could only come from honing her craft, practicing magic, every day, over and over and over and over again, repetitive, and mind numbing, but driven by desire to learn. To learn more tricks, more spells, study more magic. Get better, get faster, get smarter...

Slowly, Twilight started to walk again and she began to canter down the path. Push the memory aside. Stop thinking about Trixie. Trixie, who pushed Twilight to think on her hooves and come up with special geometry, algebra, and equations on the fly, trying to put into practice what she'd learned. Trixie, who dazzled Twilight with the most amazing story telling she'd ever heard. Trixie, who trapped Twilight in a fiendish picture and kept her guessing for an entire week.

She was so arrogant and prideful and full of herself, but so intelligent and clever and cunning. No wonder Celestia was impressed with her. Heck, Twilight was impressed with her! That devious little smile she was always flashing Twilight- the one like she knew some secret the rest of the world was begging to hear. That cute little twitch in her lips when she knew she was about to wow a crowd- putting her magic on display and basking in the fruits of her hard earned studying. The way her hips swayed back and forth when she walked- a slow stride that was riddled with attitude and pizzazz.

Twilight slowly came to a halt and flattened her ears against her skull. That was a little weird... Why was she thinking about Trixie's hips? Or any of this, for that matter? Twilight shook her head, trying to clear away the odd thoughts starting to trickle through her mind. The idea of Trixie being anything other than a show pony was preposterous. Trixie probably spent most of her day preparing tricks and running through check lists and making sure everything was in it's proper place for her next show. Twilight giggled to herself, imagining the length of parchment needed to fulfill Trixie's daily needs. Rolls and rolls of the stuff. She probably spent the evening sitting in the flickering firelight, checking and re-checking everything again to make sure her show went just right. Twilight could certainly help with that- cuddled up next to her with a warm cup of tea, the rain splattering coldly outside the cottage, and the scroll of parchment wrapped around the two of them while they checked, double checked and triple checked everything to make sure it was ready for tomorrow. They'd work well into the night, Trixie mentioning new ideas for her show, Twilight offering advanced magical theories that might supplement the procedure...they'd go out into the woods to practice, too excited by the prospects of working on new magic to sleep. Of course it would devolve into a duel, and that would devolve into the two of them collapsing atop each other, watching the stars starting to flicker out, falling asleep in each others arms.

Whoa! WHOA, WHOA, WHOA!!! Where had all THAT come from?! Twilight gave a quiet grumble and continued on, shaking her head. Just because Trixie was the only pony Twilight knew Princess Celestia was interested in, didn't mean they were FRIENDS. And it certainly didn't mean Twilight wanted to spend rainy days working on spell craft and studying with her. It certainly didn't mean Twilight had to keep thinking about that cute, cunning little devious smile she got when she had an idea.

Twilight shook her head again. It had been a long week, that was all. Just a long week trapped in a painting with Trixie. A quiet little cottage where Twilight found she could study in peace- but was far more excited about the prospect of Trixie coming home, and discovering a surprise Twilight left out- or a new spell she'd learned, or the dinner she attempted to cook.

Twilight chuckled quietly to herself. It was silly- but at the same time, there was something peaceful about the notion. Relaxing and fulfilling. Confusing. That was the perfect term for it. Confusing. But that aside, it didn't stop Twilight from pausing to peer when the town of Ponyville came into view. For a moment, Twilight imagined Trixie, who probably throwing a fit that Twilight had snuck out. Paled and sickly, trying to raise the strength to climb out of the wagon and follow her...The idea made her frown. She wasn't used to letting friends down- and she was certain Trixie would be upset that she just left without saying goodbye. No. That was stupid. Trixie had KIDNAPPED her. They weren't friends.

...She did kidnap her.

They weren't friends.

But that's changed, hasn't it? She kidnapped you, but you're the one who came up with the plan to turn her into your friend. And it worked, didn't it? It worked so well that now you feel rotten for leaving her the way you did, because not only did you become her friend, but now she's YOUR friend too, isn't she? The story, the food, the duels, and the studying? She's an incredible friend, and friendship is magic, and it's a magic so powerful you had no idea what you were tampering with. And now you've left her- cold, and suffering and sick- left alone to wake up to realize her brand new friend- the one that shared so many memories with her- was long gone without even a note to say goodbye. Twilight Sparkle, after all your years in ponyville, with Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie, Derpy, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash...haven't you learned anything about friendship?

Twilight felt her stomach churn at the thoughts tumbling around in her head. What in Equestria was she thinking...WHAT WAS SHE THINKING?!

She couldn't just leave Trixie like that!

No, she shouldn't leave Trixie like that!

NO! She WOULDN'T leave Trixie like that! She would NEVER leave one of her friends like that! From stop, to walk, to run, Twilight shot forwards down the path to Ponyville, leaving the little wagon and the Everfree forest in her wake. Oh, she was going back to Trixie's alright; but first she needed to find some lemon juice, some sage, a bowl of rainbow berries, some vanilla extract and a dash of honey...

Author's Note

Here's the extra Chapter I promised! I think it gives a little bit of perspective...Oh, yes, Twilight's a nerd and dorky, and her bookish demeanor miiiiight have blinded her to what was right in front of her this entire time...

Trixie and Twilight

Her stomach hurt. That was the first sensation that rippled through Trixie when she regained consciousness. Her stomach hurt. When was the last time she'd eaten? Oh, right, breakfast with Twilight...

Slowly, she realized she was crying again. Not the gut wrenching, stomach churning sobs that assaulted her the night before, but tears none the less, subtle and silent. Why did it hurt so much? Why couldn't she let it roll off her shoulders, like so many hecklers and jeers during a performance? Why was the world suddenly so cold? Why was everything was so cold?

Idly, Trixie wondered if any pony would notice if she didn't come back. If she stayed here, in her bed, never setting hoof outside again. Why should she? What was the point of going outside anyway? What was the point to any of this?

Her stomach hurt.

Twilight liked Daffodils on toast. That was her favorite. Trixie could make that. She could climb out of bed and into her silent cottage, where she would cook breakfast for herself and sit alone at the table and stare at the wall. She would get up, afterwards, and put the dishes in the sink.

Or maybe she'd leave them out.

It didn't matter. No one was around to care. She could spend all day in bed if she wanted to, and nopony would notice. That sounded ok. She didn't feel hungry anyway. She could ignore her tummy and drift back to sleep. Back to restless dreams and lonely nightmares. And that sounded ok, too. Maybe she could sleep forever. That would be ok. It would be easier that way, and she was so tired.

The smell of something burning rippled through the air.

Was there a fire? Maybe something was wrong? Trixie opened an eye. Maybe the fire would swallow her up. That sounded ok, too. Her little cottage would burn down, and the wagon, her silly magic tricks and props. Her cape and her hat. All of it would be gone. Burnt up and vanished and gone. Yeah. That sounded ok.

There was a crash outside of her door. Bandits? Some highway ponies that came across her little hidden wagon in Everfree forest and figured out how to travel into her enchanted portrait? Sure. Why not. That made sense. Wait. No it didn't. Bandits? Robbers in her cottage? That seemed unlikely. No pony would know that the portrait would lead to an enchanted scene with a cottage. It was highly unlikely anypony would ever take a second glance at a portrait...unless...they knew it's secret.

...

Trixie ripped herself out of bed with a strength she didn't know she had, and scrambled to her bed room door and threw it open.

pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease...

The book on the counter read: An art to dueling, volume 33, with a purple ribbon wrapped around it. The smoke from the stove billowed up in huge, wet fluttering clouds, and Twilight was frantically trying to put out a fire on the skillet, spilling a bowl of Rainbow berries all over the floor as she tried her best to get the kitchen under her control.

Twilight.

Trixie's eyes were blurry again- her vision swimming. Not because of the Mana sickness, but the fresh, wet tears that rolled down her cheeks. It was cruelty at it's finest, Trixie realized. Twilight had returned, but for what? Just to laugh at her, Trixie surmised. Just to dangle that life she dreamed of in front of her face like a carrot. Why? Why did she come back!? Trixie had KIDNAPPED her! Threatened to torture her! Threatened to make her suffer, and never let her see her friends again! WHY HAD SHE COME BACK, IF NOT TO TORMENT TRIXIE? To tease her, to laugh at her, to revel in her suffering isolation. That was the only answer. It was too cruel. Trixie couldn't stand it. She dropped to her knees, and tried to figure out how her mouth worked, but only raw and sputtered words spilled free.

"Why....T, Twilight...why..." Trixie sputtered, her voice choked with her own tears. Twilight (Who had finally managed to put out the grease fire on the stove) Slowly turned around at stared at the sobbing unicorn. Trixie shook her head. She couldn't figure out what was happening, but it felt like her heart was splitting in two. It wasn't fair. It just wasn't fair. There was no reason for Twilight to be standing in her kitchen. No reason what so ever for them to ever see one and other again- and yet here she was.

Slowly, Twilight approached the crying filly and stopped directly in front of her, peering down at her with tears in her own eyes. Silently, she knelt down until she was at eye level, reached out, and wrapped her arms around the other girl, pulling her into a tight hug.

They stayed like that. Minutes. Maybe hours. Trixie wasn't sure, but Twilight didn't let go. She held on until Trixie's tears dried, and the only thing she could remember was Twilight's embrace.

"I'm so sorry." Twilight whispered. Trixie shook her head, but the words wouldn't come out. There were no words. So they shared none. Twilight didn't know what to say. Pinkie would have said something funny. Applejack would have said something honest. Rarity? Something romantic, probably. Rainbow Dash would just be blunt. Fluttershy would say something kind. But none of those seemed like the right thing to say. None of them seemed fitting, and Twilight was at a loss. Still, she held onto Trixie- the filly needed her, and thats all she cared about. They had started as bitter rivals, and now...now Twilight found herself sitting on the floor of a cottage, in the middle of the Everfree forest, holding Trixie Lulamoon against her as tightly as she could.

Slowly, Twilight eventually pulled away and took a few steps back, looking Trixie over. Her cheeks started to flush warm and she turned her back, before Trixie could ask what was going on- Twilight started to speak.

"I'm...I'm not very good at this." She sputtered quietly. "I was really really mad when I found out what you did to me. You kidnapped me and put me in a painting, with you for an entire week." Twilight explained. Her voice was soft and shuddery, oddly enough.

"But I...I'm not mad anymore. Because we dueled, and read books and um...I...really had a lot of fun, actually. And um...I guess...I never really...had another pony who understands magic. So I came back. I just...I had too. I couldn't just leave you here sick, and...and I realized that...you're my friend. I don't even know when it happened but...Trixie? You mean a lot to me." Twilight explained, swallowing the lump in her throat.

"All the books, all the magic, all the studying. Even if we study different things, we both study a lot. I don't have any friends that are so good at magic. I mean, the illusions you showed me were spectacular, and I, I never got to duel before. I never got to really put effort into figuring out unique ways of casting spells. I never got to read something and then immediately try to apply it in a situation like our duel, it was such an exciting experience! I could take notes on it all day! And I've never seen magic like yours before. The concentration needed to focus all those illusions, AND tell a story, AND conjure items... I...I could study you all day." Twilight forced each word out, her cheeks blazing- and if she had turned around- she'd have noticed the same condition in Trixie. There was a long silence that filled the room. Twilight closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It really was a strange kind of magic...

"So...I was thinking...I could um, use a place to study sometimes. When I'm not trying to save the world, or deal with parties, or apples, or dresses or animals, or rainbows. The library is nice, but sometimes, it gets really busy and I could use someplace really quiet...Do you think...maybe...I could stay here? Every now and then?" Twilight asked shyly. Trixie shuddered, unable to speak, her stomach curving in on itself at the proposal.Twilight's ears perked when Trixie said nothing and she swallowed. Had she over stepped her boundaries? Said something stupid? She was asking a pony who kidnapped her if she could stay over? What was she thinking?! She was so dumb!!

"...I, if not that's ok too. I didn't mean, I mean, this is stupid. This is dumb. I'm dumb! I, I'm sorry!" Twilight squeaked suddenly, and raced forward, past Trixie and into her room. The Portrait!!

The tackle came out of nowhere- Twilight had not predicted Trixie's strength or speed with the poor girl suffering from Mana sickness- but tackled she was, the two of them crashing into Trixie's bedroom in a tangle of arms and legs, squeaks and yelps.

"Don't go!" Trixie sobbed, and suddenly they were holding each other again. Tightly. Trixie wouldn't let go. She wouldn't lose this again. Never again. "I'm sorry, I, I'm so sorry, Twilight, I didn't...it wasn't supposed to...I, I don't know what I'm doing..."Trixie blurted out. To her surprise, Twilight pulled back, until they were nose to nose and nodded her head.

Twilight swallowed and nodded her head, a sly grin slowly wrapping its way around her lips. "Me either. Friendship is a really hard magic to learn sometimes, But if anything, I'm really good at studying, and we're both really good at magic. It's our element." Twilight smiled. Trixie nodded her head shyly, cheeks a vibrant tinge of crimson.

"W, well maybe you could use a study buddy? We could compare notes and practice. Maybe we could explore this magic....um...together..." She stammered. The smile Twilight gave Trixie burned its way deep into her heart, and she knew, from that moment on, she'd never be lonely again. Twilight blushed deeply and slowly nodded her head.

"I...I would love to be your study buddy, Trixie." Twilight whispered, holding Trixie in her arms.

The kiss caught her off guard. Impetuous and passionate, Trixie's lips suddenly and furiously mashed against Twilight's. Awkward. That was the perfect word to describe it. Awkward. Twilight didn't kiss back. She sat there, frozen in place, wide eyed and shocked. Trixie's kiss wasn't terribly romantic- not practiced or invited- just eager and raw. She pulled back after a few seconds, and the silence weaved through them again. It wasn't like in the cheesy romance novels Rarity lined her shelves with, nor was it like the stories Trixie heard while on the road. A first kiss wasn't magical. It wasn't incredible.

It was just awkward.

Trixie had gone off script. Tried something new. An impromptu act without a planted audience member. Something that froze her heart solid, when she took note of the confused expression on Twilight's face. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. This wasn't right at all!

"I...I'm s...sor.."Trixie sputtered, but Twilight turned away from her- peering at the portrait quietly, keeping her back to her- while her muzzle turned from purple to scarlet.

"..." It was torture. Again. Something horrid and soul crushing and decimating. Pounding in her ears, and stabbing at her heart, Trixie watched in horror as Twilight shook her head slowly.

"I...don't...I'm not sure....um...I've never..." Twilight stammered before taking a deep breath. She turned around, and stared at Trixie for a few moments. Not like the romance books at all. Not like the stories. It wasn't love at first sight, and it wasn't something that burned passionately in her heart.

But there was something there. Twilight just didn't know what it was. Quietly, she smiled, leaned forward and to Trixie's surprise, pecked her gently on the cheek.

"Lets...start with Study Buddies. And then...see where we go from there...ok?" Twilight asked. Trixie nodded her head sheepishly, and yelped when Twilight pulled her into a sudden, squeezing hug.

"And I'm really good at studying." She whispered. Trixie's ears perked and a smile slowly crept across her red flushed face.

That one single sentence was all it took.

To make her blood boil.

Author's Note

Annnnnnnnnd we're done!

...

Thank you SO much for reading! Lady Rarity hopes you enjoyed her silly little romantic fiction. No, Twilight and Trixie aren't going to sex each other up (in this story), they aren't madly in love with each other- they're stumbling into a relationship together, trying to get through it, and learning at the same time. Young love, darlings. The kind that blossoms into something real, or something unimaginably tragic- but thats the entire point, isn't it? The journey. Hopefully, these two will have a fantastic one, regardless of what happens.

Thank you for reading <3

Epilogue

Six Weeks Later...

The song in her heart filled her ears and forced the blue mare to bounce and sway down the path to her little cottage. Her cape fluttered behind her, and her tail swayed along with her hind quarters. The sun was shining, the air was crisp and clear, and Trixie Lulamoon couldn't do a thing about the smile that stretched her muzzle wide. It hurt. And she loved it.

"THE GRRRRREAT AND POWERFUL TRRRRRR~IXIE HAS ARRIVED!!!" Trixie screamed, kicking the door of her cottage open, and sitting there, at the table, Twilight Sparkle flashed a quiet gleam of a smile. Trixie narrowed her eyes and coughed.

"THE GRRRRREAT AND POWERFUL TRRRRRR~IXIE HAS ARRIVED!" She announced again. Twilight's lips twisted into a warm grin, and she gently rapt a hoof against the kitchen table in a barely audible applause. They both burst into giggles, before Trixie sashayed into the room with a swish of her hips.

"THANK YOU, THANK YOU, TRIXIE APPRECIATES HER FANS!" She colbat mage shrieked. Twilight laughed quietly and shook her head, leaning forward on the table with a tiny smile.

"Well it's good to have you home. How did it go?" Twilight asked, watching as the smile around Trixie's lips grew even further. She turned, casually, towards the door, and swung it open with a burst of magic. Twilight's eyes widened, and the blue mare dragged in a large sack over flowing with bits, trickling and tinkling across the ground.

"Trixie had a....modest success." She quipped flippantly. Twilight grinned further and slowly climbed to her hooves, meandering over to slide Trixie's cape off her shoulders and her hat from her head.

"Oh? And did you use my suggestions? How do you feel? Are you ok?" Twilight squeaked, resting a hoof against Trixie's brow to search for a fever. There wasn't. Trixie giggled and waggled a hoof, batting at Twilight before taking an exaggerated, dramatic pose.

"Trixie feels remarkable, Twilight Sparkle. Trixie...sparingly used your suggestions in mana reduction. The show went fantastic...Trixie made more money than she'd ever in the past." Trixie admitted, blushing faintly. Twilight beamed and wrapped her arms around Trixie's shoulders, pulling the showmare into a squeezing hug.

"I'm so happy you're alright! I was so worried about you!" She squeaked. Trixie blushed a bright vibrant red at the idea of Twilight worrying about her, and shyly, she shook her head.

"P, Please! Trixie is FINE. You needn't...You needn't worry about Trixie! ...B, but..."She paused, as if looking for the right words to use, before her lips twisted, folded, and contorted strangely. "...T, thank you." Trixie mumbled. Twilight beamed.

"You're welcome! I'm so glad my suggestions could help! Now sit down! I made dinner!" Twilight exclaimed proudly. Trixie winced. Genius? Yes. Talented, brilliant, and attractive? Very much so. Culinary expertise...? Well, Twilight couldn't be everything. Trixie forced a quiet smile when Twilight levitated a bowl of what seemed to be black charcoal over to Trixie and beamed.

"It's a salad recipe from the Gryphon empire! I worked all afternoon on it! I've decided to stop using Applejack's recipes and try something on my own!" Twilight squealed. Trixie stared. Twilight smiled. It was burnt. It was badly burnt. Twilight Sparkle had burned salad. Trixie whimpered.

"Go on! Try it! It's delicious!" Twilight squealed. Trixie smiled as best as she could. Slowly- slowly, she hovered a fork into the ...'salad' and pulled it into her mouth. the flavor assaulted her tongue with extreme prejudice, and Trixie used every last ounce of her will power not to scream.

"How is it?!" Twilight beamed. Trixie coughed, her stomach demanded a violent expelling of it's contents, but she smiled, and nodded her head.

"Twilight...this is.....this is a experience. A...A very profound experience." Trixie sputtered. That was an accurate statement. That was the truth. Nopony could fault her for lying. Twilight squealed in glee, and shoveled a fork-full of salad into her mouth after hearing Trixie's response. Three point seven seconds later, Twilight Sparkle dry heaved.

"T, this is...this is horrible! H, how?" She whimpered. Trixie winced, and shook her head slowly, trying to feel something other than horror for Twilight's cooking abilities. Horror and contempt.

"Did the recipe require you to HEAT the salad, Twilight? Did it?! Because if at any point, you decide you need to set salad on fire, YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG!" Trixie squealed, nearly falling out of her chair with laughter. Twilight blushed furiously, and lifted what Trixie assumed was a cook book, and started flipping through pages.

"N, no, no no, I...I followed the instructions exactly, I..."She whimpered. Trixie let her laughter die into a quiet smile and she shook her head, drawing herself to her hooves.

"Well, Twilight, luckily for YOU, The Great and Powerful Trixie is feeling generous this evening. She will allow you to take her out to dinner. "Trixie grinned, waggling a hoof. Twilight rolled her eyes, but climbed to her hooves as well, casting a venomous glance at the offending salad sitting on the table.

"Burger Princess?" Asked Twilight, as she made for the door. Trixie scoffed.

"I was thinking Derby's." She murmured. Twilight nodded her head, but Trixie stopped, and turned towards her with a shy smile.

"Ooooor....we could...get all dressed up and head to that new place in Canterlot." She mumbled. Twilight raised an eyebrow.

"You'd be seen in public with ME, oh Great and Powerful one?" She snickered. Trixie gave a dismissive sigh.

"If I ABSOLUTELY MUST." She said dramatically. Twilight grinned, and leaned in, wrapping her hooves around Trixie's shoulders, and let her lips brush against her ear, with a casual hug.

"Then it's a date." She whispered, and beamed at the crimson flush that tinted across Trixie's face. She gave the frozen showmare a bump with her flank, and casually trotted into her room to get ready. Grinning the entire time. Studying Trixie was going to prove a great deal of fun indeed.

Author's Note

Just can't get these two out of my head! n.n

But I am SOOOOOO not happy with the way this turned out. BLAH. I wanted something cute, playful, and open ended. This feels rushed and forced. BAH!