Moving the Stars

Moving the Stars

Story 2

Chapter 6: End Game

By: SleeplessScribe

There was no time to stop him before he had hold of it. Despite being a loudmouthed narcissist, he wasted no time putting them Amulet on, letting out a loud, drawn out laugh as a black cloud enveloped him, then discharged as a powerful blast of magic, knocking both Twilight and myself back.

He must’ve caught sight of the sisters coming to our aid, as the first thing he did was trap them in a cage of dark magic. His full attention was now on me as I was lifted into the air, the mere magnitude of his new power slightly crushing me. “You played well, but you never claim victory until the game is over.”

It took all I had to break free from his grasp, pelting him with ice spears as soon as I hit the ground. The fortunate part is that he wasn’t too strong for my magic not to affect him, but it was definitely doing a lot less than it was moments before. The unfortunate part is that this was apparently a massive mathematical equation, with the difference between the effectiveness of my spells then and now adding to the power of his own. Not even Celestia and Luna were able to break free of this prison Checkmate had trapped them in. Cracks were starting to form in their cage, but it would take far too much time for them to free themselves; Checkmate would have the whole city reduced to rubble before they got out.

Looking around, I did see one last ray of hope: Twilight was gone. I could only hope that she was running to get the Elements of Harmony, as they were the only thing that could stop Checkmate now. Not only that, but there was only one thing that stood between him and stopping Twilight.

Me.

I was pretty well versed in combat magic, but not knowledgeable enough to have a massive repertoire of spells to use. It came down to me using repeats spells in clever ways to try and catch him off guard, but he effortlessly broke through everything I threw at him. Finally, I took a leap of faith, or a leap of stupidity, whichever you would say it was.

Many ponies told me I was hardheaded, and Checkmate must’ve though so too. The speed spell I had cast on myself only made the impact hit harder, and I honestly wasn’t sure if the fact that I barely felt anything was something to be proud of. The sinister unicorn staggered backwards, his eyes rolling around in his head. Keeping him disorientated like this was my best bet, and I’m sure the massive sonic blast not only pushed him back even farther, but probably deafened him temporarily.

Unfortunately, the Amulet was not only amplifying his magic, but also his resilience. Checkmate seemed to easily reel back from everything I threw at him, and even if I never gave him a chance to retaliate I’d get exhausted if this continued. I was already feeling winded from the amount of spells I’d been casting one after another, and my temporary pause was just long enough for my opponent to beat me down with a powerful combo of spells, all ending with me under a massive stone claw jutting out of the ground.

The boastful unicorn made his way over to me, his front hooves coming together in a mocking clap. “Bravo, bravo, friend. You were, by far, the most challenging opponent I’ve faced. But I regret to inform you that the game is over, and the king is about to fall.”

It happened faster than I could process. Before I knew it, Checkmate was on the ground with thick, thorny brambles holding him down against the hard stone. A familiar voice spoke out, make my eyes the size of dinner plates. “Never move your king up while your opponent’s queen is still on the board, Checkmate. I’d have thought a pony such as yourself would’ve known better.”

My student shattered the rock on top of me, but I was currently too weak to get up. After expending so much magic and taking such a beating, I was surprised I was still conscious. I tried to speak, but nothing came out, leaving Trixie with no warning and no advice for caution as she approached the immobilized colt. She readied another magic blast, but was sent spiraling backwards as ripped apart the vines that restrained him.

“Kids should not involve themselves in grown-up affairs.” With the way his scowl was, it looked like his mouth was about to fall off his face. Honestly, it made taking him seriously pretty difficult.

Trixie brushed herself off as she stood, shooting one of those “are you serious” looks to our adversary. “Kid? I’m only a year younger than Astro!”

Technically a year and six months, but my current situation didn’t allow for smart-aleck comments. She didn’t give Checkmate a chance to respond, though, for within seconds there were ten Trixie’s surrounding him, all sending fireballs his way. Of course, nothing like this is ever that easy. With one quick spin, every one of the flames were hurled back at her, destroying her doppelgangers and dying off in the real Trixie’s water barrier at the very last minute.

Checkmate disappeared into a cloud of smoke that quickly made its way above Trixie, returning to the ground in the form of huge icicles. She barely managed to get out of the way, but the villain was already sending bolts of lightning her way that hit her before she even hit the ground. In a display of agility I didn’t even know she had, Trixie still managed to land on her hooves, lifting up a large amount of stones from the road beneath her and beaming them at Checkmate.

Either they were just too fast, or he was caught off guard by Trixie’s landing, as two of the stones smacked him in the face, resulting in a bloody lip and nose. The colt was left with little time to react as my gifted student hit him with a taste of his own medicine, the giant stone claw pressing him against the ground with all the force Trixie could give it. The mare took a leap of faith; taking just a moment to send as much magic as she could muster without letting up on her current trap to the princesses’ prison, her power combining with theirs and breaking their bonds.

Without a word, the sisters approached the twisted unicorn, their horns glowing bright. Surprisingly, Checkmate ceased his struggling and simply watched. “I suppose the game is over.” As the alicorns removed the amulet from his neck, his attention turned to me as he flashed a sinister grin. With the combined powers of Celestia and Luna, they slowly purged all the power from him, which ended up causing his body do disappear, but not before he got out his final words.

“You played well, Astro Stellaris, but rest assured, I will return for a rematch.”

By now, my strength had returned, at least enough to allow me to stand. All heads turned as the sound of multiple hooves got louder and louder, stopping as Twilight, accompanied by who I assumed to be the keepers of the other five Elements, came sliding to a halt after running all the way here. “Wait… Checkmate is gone?”

The pink, poufy one turned her head in every direction on the modern compass, even doing full-body three sixties. “Nope! No Mister Meanie Pants here!”

The temptation was too great, and she deserved a reward after saving my rear. Making my way over to her, I put my hoof around her neck and shouted as loudly as I possibly could, which, at that point, was my normal speaking tone. “Behold! The Great and Powerful Trixie has defeated the evil powers of the Alicorn Amulet and saved Equestria!”

Everypony, including Trixie, was in tears within moments. Even our monarchs couldn’t keep from laughing a tad bit.

A rainbow-maned Pegasus flew up to my student, getting up in her face rather aggressively. “You mean to tell me that a loudmouth faker like you defeated somepony with the Alicorn Amulet? PSSSH, yeah right! I’ll believe that when I see it!”

Before anyone else could respond, the elder sister gently pushed the Pegasus to the ground, her smile as bright as the sun she ruled over. “Believe it, dear Rainbow Dash. Trixie here not only saved Astro’s life, but held her own for long enough to aid in Luna and I’s escape. Were it not for her, Checkmate may have destroyed the city before you and your friend’s arrived.”

In unison, all of the ponies I did not recognize shook their heads and let out a loud, “Say what?”, earning a nod from the rest of us.

I’m sure there were more words that wanted to be said, but a large, white wing set itself in the middle of all of us, commanding our silence. “Come now, my little ponies, there’s much work to be done now. Checkmate has caused quite a bit of damage to the city, and we’ll all need to work together if we want to restore in time for Twilight’s coronation.”

Her words with met with numerous whispers and excited chatter, but after another raising of her wing, all was quiet. “I would also like to ask that Astro and Trixie attend, as well.”

The both of us bowed courteously to her, but I managed to get my words out before my student. “We’d be honored, your highness.”

* * *

We all chose to make our first goal aiding those that Checkmate had defeated, and after they were taken care of, we moved to actual rebuilding. Trixie asked that she be allowed to return home, and though I was going to deny her, both princesses, as well as the princess-to-be, allowed her to.

It took about three days to completely restore the buildings and roads that were damaged, and a few more hours to clean up the debris. About the middle of the second day, an orange Pegasus with a fiery mane and tail came to help us as well. I didn’t question it when Celestia requested that we stay in the castle for those days, though I did find it odd.

Finally, it came time for the coronation. With the time we had spent together, I learned a decent bit about all of Twilight’s friends, and found out that the unicorn named Rarity owned her own fashion boutique and had designed formal outfits for all of us, including Trixie and myself, to wear for the ceremony. Seeing as how we had nothing to do with Twilight earning her new form, Trixie and I decided to stand on the sidelines rather than join everyone on the balcony.

As with anything this big, all current royalty was in attendance, and that included the newly married Princess Cadence and her husband, Shining Armor, whom I later found out was Twilight’s older brother. Twilight’s speech was very well done given the fact that it was on-the-spot and unprepared, and the crown really suited her. However, when it seemed like the ceremony was over, and ponies began to leave, Celestia called for all to remain.

“As I’m sure you are all aware, our fair city of Canterlot was recently antagonized by a powerful villain. While the efforts of many contributed to his downfall, I would like to recognize the two individuals responsible for his downfall.”

As she spoke, a guard escorted the both of us towards the balcony, and before we could even ask questions, we were there, with all the royalty, and all the Elements of Harmony there with us. “Astro Stellaris and Trixie Lulamoon, your bravery and quick thinking kept Checkmate from destroying this beautiful city, and it is at this time I would like to reward you.”

Neither of us dared protest; when a princess rewarded you, you took it without question. However, her “reward” brought out many a gasp from the crowd below. Held in the sun princess’s magical grasp was the Alicorn Amulet, but with the combined powers of Luna and Cadence, and a bright flash of light, the amulet went from a pitch black to shimmering gold, and the red jewel embedded in it was now a golden yellow that resembled a crescent moon.

The shining alicorn approached me, but needed not to speak as I raised my chin, allowing her to place the cleansed amulet around my neck. When the click of the clamp was heard, loud roars and cheers echoed from above, but all I was focused on was an empty-hooved Trixie.

“Princess Celestia, this needs to go to Trixie, not me. She was the one who defeated Checkmate.”

Both her and her sister shook their heads, but it was Luna’s turn to speak now. “You are the one who has earned this, Astro Stellaris. Not only did your wisdom and quick wit tear down Checkmate’s plans, but your wisdom has shone through Trixie, who has displayed incredible power only possible through your teaching. In addition, nopony has said anything about dear Trixie not receiving a reward.”

After she had said this, I noticed Twilight giving her a wink, prompting me to raise a brow. “I would like to ask that you and your student return here tonight, and you shall see just how strongly your wisdom, and your heart, has impacted young Miss Lulamoon.”

* * *

With the coronation now over, Trixie and I home, and Sapphire out on a playdate with Spike, I began looking for a good place to display the necklace. Finally settling on the center of the indoor balcony between the double staircases, I hung it up. It was strange though; looking at it, I’d say it resembled an Element of Harmony. I assumed that the combined power of all three princesses attributed to the change, though. I mean, Princess Celestia did create the Elements of Harmony.

Trixie herself had asked for some time alone, stating that she wanted to put the finishing touches on a personal project of hers. Her timing couldn’t have been better, either. As she finished and came inside, I considered it late enough to return to the castle.

The trip there was quiet, but not for lack of anything to say. Trixie kept herself close to me for the whole trip, and I think she felt the same way that I did with not wanting to break what I felt to be a sentimental silence. Princess Luna was already waiting for us at the balcony, a bright smile on her face.

Honestly, my opinion was probably due to the fact that all I truly knew her as was Nightmare Moon since I had never really seen her after her change, but I thought the smile looked very out of place on her face, though it was still beautiful. Without a word, she raised her hoof to the sky, and my eyes got even bigger than when Trixie had saved my life.

Right above our heads was an image whose meaning need not be explained. A wand with a five pointed star on the end stood diagonally with the star at the top left. The wand itself looked as if it was being “held” in place by the crescent moon the shaft was going through; Trixie had created a constellation of the two of our cutie marks put into one.

There was only one thing I could think of to do, and as Luna made herself scarce, I’m sure she realized what that was. Bringing Trixie close, I wrapped one foreleg around her shoulders and turned her face to mine. “Consider this my confession, and your graduation.”

As I leaned forward, so did she, and our lips met in a sweet and gentle kiss. We held it for what seemed like forever, though it couldn’t have been but a few seconds. “Trixie, I love you.”

“I love you too, Astro.”

My new marefriend leaned herself against my chest, and I felt the warmth of a roar fire inside me. I could have never dreamed that my confession would be this easy, nor could I have ever imagined that my once broken and hurt student would become not only my marefriend, but a unicorn so great that she could move the stars as I did.

She was great and powerful. And she was mine. Neither of us could have been happier than we were in that moment, and we stayed happy all the way home, and as Trixie relocated herself to my room for a warm snuggle as we stayed together through the night.

We were happy, and all was well.