I Shall Make You Great and Powerfulby kudzuhaikuChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 1The Great and Powerful Trixie heaved a dejected sigh. It had not been a good show. Thankfully, for whatever reason, Ponyville was a kind and forgiving place, and she had made a few precious bits, most of them tossed into the donation box by Princess Twilight Sparkle. The Great and Powerful Trixie was silently grateful for Princess Twilight Sparkle’s support, even if she would not say it out loud. Twilight was almost something like a friend, and had invited Trixie back to Ponyville. She folded the stage into the side of the wagon, eased down the awning, and carefully packed her donation box away inside of the wagon, teleporting it under her narrow bed. It was probably time to go before she wore out her welcome. “Hi.” Trixie turned to face the voice, not sure what to expect. She saw a unicorn filly, rather young, small, obnoxiously orange, and wearing a large newspaper hat over her pink and teal coloured mane. The foal beamed at her. “Jinx is the Someday Great and Soon to be Powerful Hijinx, or Simply Jinx Because This Is a Mouthful,” the foal announced, introducing herself. Her belly rumbled mid introduction and the foal squirmed with embarrassment. “And Jinx wanted to give you, The Great and Powerful Trixie, a rare and wonderful opportunity that is a one in a lifetime chance at greatness!” Trixie stared at the foal in front of her and raised an eyebrow. “You, whomever you are, wanted to make The Great and Powerful Trixie an offer? What could you possibly have to offer Trixie?” “Jinx wants The Great and Powerful Trixie to be Jinx’s teacher. Jinx’s master! And Jinx will be your faithful and loyal student,” Jinx offered. Her stomach gurgled once again as she did so. “Ha! Why would The Great and Powerful Trixie need a student?” Trixie demanded in a haughty tone. “Princess Twilight Sparkle does not have a student. Here is your chance to show her up,” Jinx replied shrewdly. “Ha! As if Trixie needed a student to show up Twilight Sparkle!” Trixie crowed. “Wait, that isn’t a bad idea actually.” Trixie began to study the foal intently. Jinx’s stomach squelched and gurgled, causing Jinx to drop her gaze. “Life is rough, isn’t it kid?” Jinx nodded, but did not look at Trixie. “You dug the newspaper out of the trash because you needed a hat, right?” Jinx nodded again and made no other effort to reply. “When was it you ate last?” Trixie asked. Jinx squirmed and said nothing. Trixie heaved a sigh and felt just awful. Before her was a foal every bit as down on her luck as Trixie was. Trixie felt an odd unknown emotion stir within her breast. Trixie took in the foal as a whole and saw her cutie mark. “Kid, you have a broken mirror as a cutie mark,” Trixie said. Jinx nodded, rolled her eyes, and then shrank down and looked very ashamed. “Before, Trixie didn’t think you would ever shut up, now Trixie cannot seem to get you to talk!” Trixie exclaimed. “Jinx is pathetic,” she said. “Maybe this was a mistake.” The foal made one glance upward and looked Trixie in the eye. “Come. Trixie will discuss what is expected of you as Trixie’s student over a meal. Together, Trixie and Jinx will work towards new ways of showing up Twilight Sparkle. After we eat, Trixie will find you a better hat. A magician is nothing without a proper hat. That will be your first lesson,” Trixie stated, looking down her nose at her student with narrowed eyes. With a flash of her horn, she teleported a few bits from her donation box into her hat. “Thank you,” the foal returned, her eyes watering slightly. When Trixie turned away, the foal gave a canny half smile. Trixie trotted towards the center of town and Jinx followed just behind her, looking around at the ponies now staring at the both of them. The pair drew a great deal of attention, the showmare in her tattered cloak and battered hat, and the obnoxiously orange unicorn foal wearing a soiled newspaper hat. “Trixie will have to find you a cloak as well. A cloak inspires a proper sense of drama for a showmare,” Trixie explained. “Remember that, Student of Trixie.” “Yes my Master,” Jinx replied. Trixie paused mid step, her muzzle scrunching. One eye twitched slightly, and an ear stood sideways. “Trixie likes how that sounds. That pleases Trixie. Student of Trixie may continue to use that honourific.” “Yes Master,” Jinx said. Trixie continued forward, looking around for some place cheap to eat. There wasn’t a lot of bits to work with here. She could hear the foal’s stomach periodically broadcasting the fact that it was empty. After a bit of a walk, Trixie finally stopped in front of a place that looked like it might suit her needs. She pushed her way through the door into the dim interior, the air filled with the fragrant smell of coffee and donuts. “The Great and Powerful Trixie needs a Great and Powerful brew,” Trixie quipped. “Eh, we got that,” the mare behind the counter replied. “I have a pot of the special sludge on reserve. Anything else?” “The Great and Powerful Trixie is wondering if donuts are a suitable meal for a foal,” Trixie asked. “We have ones with jelly,” the mare deadpanned. “That’s a fruit.” “Perfect, no one can fault Trixie for buying a foal fruit!” Trixie crowed. “Two dozen donuts, jelly, two extra large cups of the special sludge, extra sugar, extra cream.” “Ten bits,” the mare replied in a nasal monotone. “Take a seat, I’ll bring it right out.” Trixie and Hijinx sat down in a corner booth, scooting and settling in to the padded seats and leaning on the table, looking at one another. “The Responsible and Concerned Trixie looks after her student and does right to provide for her, behold, the healthy and nutritional meal that Trixie has procured!” Trixie bragged. “Thank you,” Jinx replied, her tone humble. “Master is very kind, and ponies are sure to remember her generousity.” Trixie looked flabbergasted, the foal’s words settling into her brain. Yes she said to herself, ponies were sure to see how great of a pony Trixie was when they saw her generousity towards her student. “Trixie wants to know, what sort of magic are you, the student of the Great and Powerful Trixie, good at casting?” Trixie asked. “Jinx is really good at setting things on fire!” Jinx replied eagerly. “Oh really… that sounds gifted,” Trixie said nervously. The mare from behind the counter brought out the donuts and coffee. “I added the stale donuts from this morning. Better than throwing them out,” she muttered halfheartedly. Jinx wasted no time and ravenously assaulted the pile of donuts, grabbing a chocolate frosted donut first. Trixie felt a twinge of annoyance. The chocolate frosted donut should have been eaten last, as a dessert, the healthy jelly donuts should be eaten first. They were a fruit after all. Trixie squashed down her concerns and said nothing. The foal was starving and Trixie knew what it was like to starve. The mare shuffled off to stand behind the counter again, saying nothing as she resumed her post. The showmare and her apprentice rapidly consumed the donuts, and Trixie felt her resolve slip as she too ate a dessert donut, a long cream filled maple glazed pastry that spurted cream all over her snoot. Jinx laughed when she saw Trixie, and, rather than feeling like she was being laughed at, Trixie realised that it was funny, and she too had a good laugh at her own expense, something she had not experienced before. Trixie carefully sipped her coffee, it was hot but not too hot, and it was very, very strong. It was thick and brown even with the cream, and the sugar made it very sweet, just how Trixie liked it. Watching her benefactor drink coffee, Hijinx cautiously took a sip. The foal’s brain imploded. The thick liquid crept down her throat, burned bitterly, and then blossomed into a warm feeling of contentment in her belly. She felt something just behind her eyes begin to vibrate, her frogs began to sweat, and she could feel something deep within her hooves begin to pulsate. She took another sip and the effects doubled. “ThisisreallygoodcoffeeandJinxreallylikescoffeeandJinxisgoingtowantmorecoffee!” the foal blurted. Trixie’s eyebrows raised in alarm. The unicorn filly was vibrating slightly, her outline fuzzy and vague. Sparks sprinkled from her horn. The foal’s pupils had shrank to pinpricks. The overall sight, while slightly disconcerting, was highly amusing. Trixie laughed. Foals were funny. And in particular, this foal was hilarious. Jinx tore through the donuts in high speed, hardly chewing, devouring the first food she had eaten in quite a while, her body jittering and twitching. Trixie had eaten her fill of the donuts, so she sat back and allowed Jinx to devour the rest. She sipped her coffee, savouring each swallow, thoroughly enjoying the soupy liquid. Finally, Trixie Lulamoon had something that Twilight Sparkle didn’t have. She couldn’t wait to hold this over Twilight’s head and maybe, just maybe, rub it in just a little tiny bit. But not too much. There was a fine fine line between tweaking Twilight Sparkle’s lavender snoot and making Twilight Sparkle angry. The blue showmare only wanted a gentle tweaking of the royal snoot. Twilight Sparkle was the closest thing she had to a friend, and she didn’t want to ruin that. Trixie watched the starving foal finish off the last donut, then the unicorn filly belched an enormous show stopper of a belch that sounded like a giant frog in love with a foghorn, and then the foal began to guzzle her coffee. Bits were tight, but at the moment, life seemed like it was pretty good. Trixie was glad she had taken a chance and had returned to Ponyville. Author's Note Something I started fleshing out way back in March but never got around to actually working on. Feedback is welcomed and appreciated. I don't know what me write this clusterbuck of a story so don't ask. Trixie is going to make the worst parent, er, teacher, er, wait, master, there we go, master ever. The dynamic with Twilight Sparkle later is going to be foal-centric, but I can't say more. Anyhoo, if this falls flat, I'll axe it. I hope it doesn't fall flat, so give me a reason to keep writing it! Chapter 2The secondhoof store was full of junk, but some of it was good junk. There were some tools, gardening implements, housewares, and even a few odd things like clothing, which was out of place to find in a society that typically did not wear clothing. The first thing that Trixie found as an old somewhat faded purple blanket that Trixie knew that she could sew into a passable cloak. Hijinx continued to vibrate and took jittery jerky steps to keep up with Trixie. After wandering through the crowded store full of junk, Trixie finally found something worth looking for. She cackled when she saw it, knowing that it was perfect for her student. A somewhat battered purple velvet top hat. Some of the velvet looked a little rubbed, it had a rough patches, but it was perfectly suitable for a student. Trixie lifted it in her magic and plunked it down in Hijinx’s head. It stayed in place for a moment, but the vibrating foal made it fall over her eyes, and all that was visible was Hijinx’ muzzle and her wide manic grin. “The Great and Powerful Trixie has a Cuddly and Adorable Student!” Trixie announced, prancing in place on her hooves with delight, quite overtaken with the new feeling deep inside of her. “Y-y-y-y-y-y-y-yeah!” Hijinx stammered, completely unable to stay still. “Trixie is not quite certain what is wrong with you, but your continued need to vibrate is unsettling,” Trixie said in concern. “I-I-I f-f-f-f-f-feel g-g-g-g-g-good!” Hijinx stuttered. “T-t-t-t-the w-w-w-w-world i-i-is s-s-s-s-s-so s-s-s-s-s-slow r-r-r-r-right n-n-n-n-n-now.” “Trixie is certain that it is. Even the world must slow down and acknowledge our Great and Powerful Superiourity,” Trixie acknowledged with a haughty nod. Trixie led the blinded foal along and went to pay for the goods they had collected, drawing a few stares from other ponies in the store, which Trixie took to be looks of admiration. Trixie emerged from the store with Hijinx in tow and there she was. Trixie felt her heart leap into her throat when she saw her. Trixie began to feel as though she was vibrating. Princess Twilight Sparkle was walking with Discord and the two were talking. “Hello Twilight Sparkle,” Trixie greeted. Twilight and Discord both froze when they saw the vibrating foal. “Hi… Trixie,” Twilight said slowly. “Your performance was quite good. Less boasting and more showing. What is wrong with that poor foal?” “Yes, let us all get down to the heart of the issue here, what is wrong with that poor foal?” Discord queried. “The Great and Powerful Trixie has taken on a Great and Powerful Student!” Trixie crowed. “The Clever and Crafty Trixie has finally done something that Twilight Sparkle has not.” “You sure have Trixie,” Twilight agreed. “But what is wrong with your student?” “Nothing is wrong with my student,” Trixie insisted. Discord raised his eyebrow and exchanged a glance with Twilight. “Trixie is a Considerate and Kind Caretaker. Trixie gave the foal a nutritious meal of jelly donuts and coffee. The jelly donuts are a fruit!” Trixie announced. Discord covered his face with his lion’s paw and moaned. Twilight Sparkle struggled to suppress a look of horror. “Coffee… foal… jelly donuts…” Twilight stammered. “Even the all powerful Twilight Sparkle is awed by Trixie’s foal looking after abilities! Huzzah!” Trixie boasted. “She sure is,” Discord agreed, rubbing his head and closing his eyes. “Hijinx, this is Twilight Sparkle and this is Discord,” Trixie introduced, lifting the hat away from the foal’s eyes. “H-h-h-h-h-h-hi!” Hijinx greeted in an all to perky voice that was almost a screech. Discord moved forward, studying Trixie’s protege. He gently patted the foal on the side of her trembling face, looked her over, and then froze, his mouth hanging open in horror when he saw her cutie mark. “Discord, is something wrong?” Twilight asked in alarm. Discord wasn’t afraid of anything. And yet right now, he looked terror-stricken. Discord began to back away from the foal. “This foal will be the ruination of us all Twilight Sparkle,” Discord announced in a trembling voice. “Trixie, what have you done?” Trixie started to reply but her words died in her throat. Discord was off, running away on all fours at full speed, his wings flapping as he ran. The draconequus was howling in fear, a keening wail that could be heard all over Ponyville. “I wonder what’s gotten into him?” Twilight Sparkle quipped, her eyebrow raised. “Discord is right to fear Trixie’s student. He recognises her supreme raw ability and sees it as a threat!” Trixie announced. Twilight Sparkle heaved a sigh and summoned her patience. She studied the foal, trying to see what had frightened Discord. Two eyes? Two ears? Obnoxious orange colour that would make Applejack look dim? Twilight noticed the foal’s cutie mark. Which was a little odd she had to admit. A broken mirror. A broken mirror cutie mark that had scared Discord senseless somehow. Twilight sensed there was more to this situation and resolved to investigate this budding mystery. “FLEE!” Discord’s voice wailed in the distance. Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes. What was it about her that made every dramatic soul around her flock to her? Trixie, Discord, Rarity and even Pinkie Pie. Twilight paused and reflected, perhaps I should introduce Hijinx and Pinkie Pie to one another she thought to herself. Just to see what might happen. “Trixie, while donuts are fine for a snack, why don’t you come by the library later with Hijinks and we can have dinner together,” Twilight invited. “Really?” Trixie asked, her voice full of disbelief. “Yes,” Twilight replied, staring at the blue mare. “You want dinner with the Great and Powerful Trixie?” Trixie asked. “And your Caffeinated and Hyperactive Student,” Twilight responded, resigning herself to future annoyances. “Is this a trick?” Trixie asked bluntly. “No,” sighed Twilight. “I’m just worried about Hijinx. And you. You can’t survive eating donuts.” “You worry about Trixie?” Trixie queried. Twilight blushed. “Well, yeah, I worry about all of my friends,” Twilight mumbled, suddenly looking down at the ground. A silence fell upon the former rivals that endured for several minutes. “Trixie accepts your invitation. And Trixie gives you Trixie’s thanks. From the bottom of Trixie’s heart,” Trixie said appreciatively, ending the silence. “THE END IS HERE!” a voice shouted in the far off distance. “I wish I could understand Discord sometimes,” Twilight groaned. “He is much better after his reformation, but he has these moments where he just don’t make sense.” “Trixie has been trying to make a few changes as well,” Trixie confessed, kicking the dirt with her forehoof. “Discord and Trixie have a lot in common.” “WooooOOOOOoooooOOO!” Hijinx warbled as she began to jump up and down in place. “Trixie, you should take her to the park and allow her to run around for a few hours,” Twilight suggested. “That might be wise Twilight Sparkle,” Trixie agreed. “Any other advice on training a Great and Powerful Student?” “Well, boosting her self confidence shouldn’t be a problem,” Twilight deadpanned. “DOOM!” a faint voice shouted. Twilight covered her face with a wing. Trixie was sprawled on a park bench, feeling the sun on her sides. Hijinx was sprawled in the grass, finally down after several hours of running around in a circle shouting “woo woo” to herself. Trixie yawned, feeling the need for another cup of coffee. Perhaps giving Hijinx more coffee would be a bad idea. She felt a strange and unknown stirring within herself as she gazed upon her student. Without being able to explain why she felt this way, Trixie wanted the foal to be happy. It was a mysterious feeling that unsettled her slightly. She watched other mares in the park, playing with their foals, and felt the feeling once again stirring within her breast, and Trixie heaved a sigh. It was comforting to watch the mares and their foals playing. Hugging. Being close to one another. Trixie felt the sudden urge to go and cuddle with her student who was sprawled out in the grass. She quickly dismissed the flight of fancy, Great and Powerful Teachers did not snuggle with their students. Certainly, when Trixie was in Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, no teacher ever cuddled with her. Trixie wondered if Princess Celestia ever cuddled with Twilight Sparkle. What if Trixie is in over Trixie’s head? she asked of herself. It couldn’t be that hard. Teach magic, feed occasionally, what else was there? Trixie mentally reprimanded herself for making this more difficult than it needed to be. Clearly the foal could look after itself and very little was actually needed on Trixie’s part. Trixie silently slipped off of the park bench, went over to Hijinx, and then sprawled out next to the snoozing foal. Being close almost satisfied this strange new itch. Trixie scooted a little closer, giving a haughty glance to those around her that might judge her for being cuddly with a foal in the grass. She could feel the foal against her side, her breath making her barrel expand and contract, faint snuffles coming from the foal’s nostrils. “This is pleasant,” Trixie announced quietly to herself. “Trixie now understands the appeal of this action. Trixie shall do this more often. Trixie shall demand of Trixie’s student the occasional cuddle. After all, a student is in no position to refuse the demands of their Great and Powerful Master.” Author's Note DOOOOOOOOOOM! Next chapter- more DOOOOM! Chapter 3“Spike, take a letter!” Twilight Sparkle requested. Spike grumbled but complied, taking out a sheet of paper, a fresh quill, and making himself ready. “Any time Twilight,” he replied. “Dear Princess Celestia, there is a new foal in Ponyville that I have never seen before. Trixie Lulamoon has taken her on as a student. The foal has a broken mirror cutie mark and it has scared Discord senseless. Your friend, Twilight Sparkle,” Twilight dictated to Spike, who carefully took down each word. The dragon rolled up the message, took a deep breath, and set it on fire, sending it to Princess Celestia. “Trixie has a student?” he asked when he was finished. “Yes she does Spike,” Twilight replied. “And you don’t…” Spike sniggered. Twilight shot the dragon an icy glare and raised her eyebrow in an acerbic manner. “By the way Spike, Trixie and her student are coming over for dinner. Which you will be fixing.” Spike’s laughter died abruptly. “Oh.” “Thank you Spike, I mean that. You do so much for me,” Twilight said graciously, seeing her number one assistant looking a little crestfallen. “Aw, don’t mention it Twilight,” Spike said bashfully. Spike hiccuped slightly and then belched, coughing up a scroll. He handed it to Twilight, who broke the seal, unrolled it, and read it. “Oh dear, we are in big trouble, say nothing to Trixie Lulamoon and await further instructions. Whatever you do, be exceptionally kind to the foal,” Twilight read. “She didn’t sign it, how weird. And she seems to think we are in big trouble. Oh my, I wonder what Celestia thinks is big trouble. Discord is scared, Celestia says we are in big trouble and forgets to sign a letter, I am getting worried Spike.” “I’m scared Twilight,” Spike admitted, rubbing his claws together and fretting. “Princess Celestia is a stickler for letters. She would never forget to sign a letter under normal circumstances!” Twilight felt the first prickle of fear. She mentally resolved to go and talk with Discord. Being nice to the foal was a high priority it seemed. Being nice to Trixie by extension seemed wise. “Spike, something extra nice for dinner, but nothing too sweet. Trixie gave her student Hijinx coffee and donuts.” “Who gives a foal coffee?” Spike cried in startled astonishment. “Somepony with a good heart and very good intentions who saw a starving foal. She’s nothing but ribs Spike,” Twilight responded. “Oh. Poor thing. I’ll fix something extra good for her then,” Spike huffed, sounding depressed. “Trixie has changed, hasn’t she?” “I think so Spike. She’s getting better,” Twilight agreed. “You like her, don’t you Twilight?” Spike asked. “She is my friend,” Twilight admitted. “Oh no, I don’t mean like that, I mean you like her,” Spike stated. “I don’t know what you mean Spike,” replied Twilight while blushing furiously. She gave Spike the stinkeye. “I’ll get the candles for dinner,” Spike said as a final parting shot as he waddled off into the kitchen. Twilight did not reply. She stood alone in the middle of her library, fuming at her number one assistant and feeling some mild concern about the situation that seemed to be brewing. Trixie and Hijinx stood at the library door. Trixie rapped on the door with her hoof and waited, while Hijinx yawned sleepily. Hijinx was wearing her hat and her yawns were painfully adorable to the unsuspecting passersby. A passing stallion named Noteworthy took one glance, clutched his barrel with one foreleg, and then staggered off on three legs, his eyes squeezed shut and his teeth bared in pain. The door opened, and Twilight invited the duo inside before any further passersby could be stricken. “Hi Trixie. Hello Hijinx. Welcome to the library. I am pleased to have you as my guest,” Twilight greeted. Spike took their hats and placed them on a small table by the door. “Trixie thanks you for your invitation,” Trixie replied. “Jinx thanks you as well and smells food!” Hijinx added while licking her lips. There was an awkward silence, the sort of awkward silence that spawns awkward silences later when you think back on it and realise just how awkward that silence really was, a pregnant silence that spawned future silences, leaving behind a very quiet future, which seems like a contradiction, but thankfully there is plenty of quiet time to think upon it. Spike, having a cosmic realisation that the future was at stake, spoke up. “Hijinx, let’s go eat. We’ll leave those two alone so they can make goo-goo eyes at one another,” he invited, patting Hijinx on the withers. “Spike!” Twilight protested. Trixie said nothing, but stared down at her own front hooves, blushing. Spike led the foal along, into the kitchen, and sat her down at the table where a few candles were burning. He carefully pushed her chair in and then took a seat beside her. “Macaroni and cheese?” the dragon asked. “What is it?” Hijinx asked. “Here, try some,” Spike offered, spooning some onto her plate. “Here, have some peas and carrots too,” he added, spooning some of those onto her plate as well. He then filled his own as the two mares finally made it to table and sat down next to one another. Trixie was unusually quiet at the table, looking at her student and then back at at Twilight, and occasionally at Spike when the dragon gave a knowing chortle. “So what are you going to teach your student?” Spike asked, trying to save dinner. “Trixie was going to teach Hijinx how to be great and powerful,” Trixie said, glancing at Twilight Sparkle, who had a carrot stuck to her snoot and a pea stuck to her eyebrow. Twilight was that kind of eater. “Twilight Sparkle, can Trixie help you get the pea off of your face?” Trixie asked. Spike and Hijinx both collapsed into chortles. Twilight turned beet red and Trixie did as well once she realised exactly what she had said. The two mares once again lapsed into silence. Awkward silence. The pregnant silence from before had given birth. “Hijinx…” “Call Jinx Jinx,” Jinx replied, interrupting Spike and doing her part to destroy the silence which had returned to haunt them. “Jinx, do you like the macaroni and cheese?” Spike asked. “Very much so!” Jinx replied, bobbing her head enthusiastically. Spike studied the filly, trying to figure out what had scared Discord so badly and had caused Princess Celestia to botch a letter. Jinx seemed normal enough. Except for the fact that she had never heard of macaroni and cheese before. Spike found that strange. “Jinx, what happened to your parents? Do they approve of you running away from home and being Trixie’s apprentice?” Spike asked. “Parents?” Jinx asked. “You know, your mother and your father?” Spike asked. “Jinx has no mother and father,” Jinx stated. “Where do you come from?” Spike inquired. “Jinx does not know,” Jinx admitted. “What do you mean you don’t know, where were you before Ponyville?” Spike queried. “Jinx remembers Ponyville…” Jinx said slowly. Spike tried to ask another question but found no words would come out. “Trixie is an amazing teacher, isn’t she Jinx!” Twilight said with an overabundance of enthusiasm and shooting a glance at Spike. “Trixie is both Great and Powerful,” Jinx answered. Trixie blushed again but said nothing. Spike, now silenced, began to feel a faint tingle of fear. Jinx seemed to have no memory of life before Ponyville. How odd. And no parents. No knowledge of macaroni and cheese. Twilight had silenced him and had quickly changed the subject. Something was definitely up. Spike looked and saw that Twilight was trembling. And something told him it wasn’t because of Trixie. Is she a changeling? Spike thought to himself. No, Twilight would have figured that out already and changelings wouldn’t scare Discord. Trixie was to engrossed in fawning over Twilight to even notice there was a problem. Spike felt a little thankful that Trixie was oblivious. “Trixie, you truly are Great and Powerful now, being a teacher is what makes one Great and Powerful. Be very kind and gracious to your student so she too, may become Great and Powerful,” Twilight said, making Trixie blush. Deep down inside, it felt good to compliment Trixie Twilight realised, even if it was only to encourage Trixie to be kind for her own safety. Something was up with the foal and Twilight genuinely didn’t want to see Trixie get hurt. Trixie needed honest praise just like any other pony and unconditional pony regard. Something in Twilight’s mind clicked and registered, but she didn’t know what it was, only that something had changed and that the world was now different. What she did not know was that she was in the perfect position to teach Trixie how to become great and powerful, taking on Trixie as both a friend, a student, and perhaps something a little bit more. Something special. By guiding Trixie, Twilight could guide Jinx. Twilight had no way of knowing that the entire fate of the world was once again in her hooves. Author's Note Doooooom! Let me know if Gammrarly or I missed anything. It is possible. And discuss below! SPECULATE! Chapter 4“Is it gone?” Discord asked, sticking his head into the library door and peering around. “Princess Celestia wanted me to talk to you,” the draconequus muttered. “They’re both gone. Now tell me, what is going on and why are you acting so weird?” Twilight Sparkle demanded. She stood and glared at the draconequus, one hoof tapping on the floor in annoyance. “That thing isn’t a foal,” Discord hissed. “What?” Twilight cried in disbelief. “That was a… a… a thing that comes around every few centuries. It latches on to a being most deserving. And then it delivers the means to destroy themselves,” Discord explained. “Trixie must have been a very naughty pony for a spirit of disharmony to latch on to her and punish her for her misdeeds.” Twilight’s backside fell to the floor and she let out a cry when her dock slammed into the floorboards. “They destroy everything around them… they are the embodiment of bad luck and misfortune. Everything that can go wrong will go wrong. As Trixie continues to be boastful, as she continues to be Trixie, that thing will only get stronger and stronger until one day, it destroys Trixie and everything around her,” Discord explained. “Can it be stopped?” Twilight queried. “Well, in theory. It would mean a total reformation of Trixie. Nothing for that thing to feed off of. And then I don’t know what might happen. Maybe it goes and latches on to the next being most deserving,” Discord replied. “One thing I do know, you can’t tell Trixie about this. If she finds out, the gig is up and that thing claims her.” “So she can’t be warned,” Twilight said. “No, she can’t” Discord responded. “And that thing will try to manipulate her and bring out the worst in her,” he warned. “So how do we save her?” Twilight asked, looking very thoughtful and determined, a look that Discord knew well. “The magic of friendship?” Discord replied, his tone quizzical and his words a question. “What happens if we save Trixie? What of Hijinx?” Twilight asked. “I don’t know for certain,” Discord said. “It is a spirit of disharmony. It might simply vanish. It may go off to find the next victim so its purpose can be fulfilled. I don’t know what will happen. But right now, it is in its weakest stage. Later on, if it feeds, its powers will rival my own until the being it latches on to is finally destroyed in some horrible act of misfortune. Whole cities have been destroyed because of these things. Whole empires.” “So, to save Trixie and possibly Equestria, I need to be Trixie’s friend, bring out the best in her while Hijinx manipulates her into doing bad things, encourage Trixie to be a better pony, and maybe even try to show some friendship to Hijinx as well, because I can’t see that hurting my chances,” Twilight summarised. “Trixie is a little misguided, but I cannot believe the whole cosmos has conspired against her in such a way, selecting her for this kind of punishment,” Discord quipped. “Can you stop this?” Twilight asked, peering up at Discord. “Chaos versus chaos?” Discord questioned. “What happens when a mudslide and a raging flood collide with one another?” he asked. “Point taken,” Twilight conceded. Discord conjured up a glass of chocolate milk and offered it to Twilight, who accepted it gratefully. Discord summoned up his own and the pair sat in silence, sipping chocolate milk, occasionally looking at one another. “Are we friends?” Discord asked suddenly, breaking the silence. “Well, yeah,” Twilight responded. “So you would try to save me from a horrible fate?” Discord asked. “Haven’t I already?” Twilight returned. “Indeed. You have,” Discord acknowledged. The pair fell silent again, the chocolate milk in their glasses mysteriously not emptying no matter how much they drank. He squirmed and fidgeted, turning and twisting about, until he literally tied himself into a knot. “Do you love Trixie?” Discord blurted, breaking the silence. “What? Me? No! Maybe. It it just a crush… its complicated,” Twilight answered, her face turning a slightly darker shade of purple. “How is it complicated?” Discord asked gently. “I am a princess, and ponies expect all of these things from me, and I have to live up to a certain public image… and if I became too involved with Trixie, things could and would be blown out of proportion. Trixie would get hurt, I would get hurt, and all kinds of awful things would happen,” Twilight replied. “Why?” Discord asked. “Because, princesses are just not supposed to get involved in hot steamy relationships with showmares… especially showmares like Trixie,” responded Twilight as she squirmed uncomfortably. “Explain,” Discord requested. “If you please.” “She has certain behaviours that the press would seize upon and it hurt the public image of the crown,” Twilight explained. “So the problem is, Trixie behaves like Trixie,” Discord summarised. “Well, no. Yes. Perhaps. I don’t know?” Twilight answered. “You know, Fluttershy was concerned about being seen with me… so she went to work on me, gently guiding me along, until I was the sort of draconequus that she felt comfortable being seen with. She likes me a great deal, but she was concerned about some of the attention I draw. So now, I keep it low key when I am around her,” Discord stated. “Fluttershy really likes me for whom I am though, so in private, I am free to be myself. I had to take some time to learn what was appropriate and when.” “So you changed for Fluttershy?” Twilight asked. “Well, to be fair, Fluttershy has changed a great deal for me,” Discord confided as he raised an eyebrow. “But Fluttershy hasn’t changed at all,” Twilight retorted. “Sure she has,” Discord insisted. “How so?” Twilight asked. “Do you really want to know?” Discord queried. “I think I do,” said Twilight, her face full of doubt. “Well, since you insist, she longer demands that the lights be turned off when we bump uglies,” Discord answered. “EEEEW!” “You asked!” “MY BRAIN!” “Well, love is all about give and take. Just give Trixie a nudge to make her behave a little. I mean, you need to do that anyway because of Hijinx, so here is your chance. What harm could it do?” Discord asked. “I suppose you are right,” Twilight asked. “Really… seriously, you and Fluttershy?” Discord nodded. “Well, I really feel like a dork. Even Fluttershy-” “You mean you’ve never-” “NO!” The silence returned, chock full of awkwardness. “I won’t tell a soul,” Discord promised. “Thank you,” Twilight said in a high pitched voice full of tension. “Where is Spike?” Discord asked. “Off helping Rarity burn the midnight oil,” Twilight replied. Discord grinned. “I envy Spike sometimes,” Twilight admitted. “How so?” Discord asked. “He is young, innocent, and free from complications. He gets to enjoy his crush on Rarity and live in the moment. He’s free to enjoy it for what it is, and doesn’t have to worry about what it might be, or how it might affect everypony around him. He gets to live and laugh and-” “Spike is not a princess,” Discord interrupted. “Yeah,” Twilight agreed. She stared down into her glass of chocolate milk as though the answers of life might be hiding down in the brown depths and heaved a sigh of contemplation. “I envy Rarity in this situation,” Discord announced. “Rarity?” Twilight asked. “How so?” “Free labour,” Discord replied with seeming utter seriousness. Twilight chortled and nearly shot chocolate milk out of her nose. “Really, Rarity bats her eyelashes, gives a pouty look, and she gets free labour! If I indulge in level of manipulation I get lectured by Celestia for being a cad,” Discord lamented. “I mean, when Rarity bats her eyelashes, she can summon an army of stallions, colts, and one little dragon to do her bidding. I wish I had her power.” Discord turned suddenly on Twilight, his face done up in entirely too much makeup, batting his absurdly long eyelashes, showing off his garish green mascara, and he caused Twilight to shriek in startled surprise. “Think I could get Spike to help me?” Discord asked in deadpan. Twilight sniggered and then fell apart completely, collapsing upon the floor and guffawing, which caused the draconequus to sniff in a mock-disturbed manner. “You are jealous of my great beauty,” Discord huffed, not one trace of a laugh in his voice. Twilight continued to roll on the floor, clutching her sides, and kicking her hind legs as she laughed riotously. She snorted in between her brays of laughter, and finally, Discord raised an eyebrow at her. “It is nice to finally see you let go and be a pony,” Discord observed, his makeup now gone. “I suppose certain things are a lot funnier when you can trust somepony.” Twilight wiped her eyes and nodded. “I suppose I need to write that down in my own friendship diary,” Discord quipped. “Today, I learned that sometimes, if you want to get a friend to laugh, they have to trust you first so they can be open and honest in their reactions.” “That is actually really profound Discord. I think I’ll write that down as well,” Twilight replied. “Celestia will be so proud,” Discord gushed. Author's Note A friendship lesson! More is coming. This is a short (er) story, Now, Twilight has to find a way to save Trixie from herself. She has to make Trixie Great and Powerful.
Chapter 1The Great and Powerful Trixie heaved a dejected sigh. It had not been a good show. Thankfully, for whatever reason, Ponyville was a kind and forgiving place, and she had made a few precious bits, most of them tossed into the donation box by Princess Twilight Sparkle. The Great and Powerful Trixie was silently grateful for Princess Twilight Sparkle’s support, even if she would not say it out loud. Twilight was almost something like a friend, and had invited Trixie back to Ponyville. She folded the stage into the side of the wagon, eased down the awning, and carefully packed her donation box away inside of the wagon, teleporting it under her narrow bed. It was probably time to go before she wore out her welcome. “Hi.” Trixie turned to face the voice, not sure what to expect. She saw a unicorn filly, rather young, small, obnoxiously orange, and wearing a large newspaper hat over her pink and teal coloured mane. The foal beamed at her. “Jinx is the Someday Great and Soon to be Powerful Hijinx, or Simply Jinx Because This Is a Mouthful,” the foal announced, introducing herself. Her belly rumbled mid introduction and the foal squirmed with embarrassment. “And Jinx wanted to give you, The Great and Powerful Trixie, a rare and wonderful opportunity that is a one in a lifetime chance at greatness!” Trixie stared at the foal in front of her and raised an eyebrow. “You, whomever you are, wanted to make The Great and Powerful Trixie an offer? What could you possibly have to offer Trixie?” “Jinx wants The Great and Powerful Trixie to be Jinx’s teacher. Jinx’s master! And Jinx will be your faithful and loyal student,” Jinx offered. Her stomach gurgled once again as she did so. “Ha! Why would The Great and Powerful Trixie need a student?” Trixie demanded in a haughty tone. “Princess Twilight Sparkle does not have a student. Here is your chance to show her up,” Jinx replied shrewdly. “Ha! As if Trixie needed a student to show up Twilight Sparkle!” Trixie crowed. “Wait, that isn’t a bad idea actually.” Trixie began to study the foal intently. Jinx’s stomach squelched and gurgled, causing Jinx to drop her gaze. “Life is rough, isn’t it kid?” Jinx nodded, but did not look at Trixie. “You dug the newspaper out of the trash because you needed a hat, right?” Jinx nodded again and made no other effort to reply. “When was it you ate last?” Trixie asked. Jinx squirmed and said nothing. Trixie heaved a sigh and felt just awful. Before her was a foal every bit as down on her luck as Trixie was. Trixie felt an odd unknown emotion stir within her breast. Trixie took in the foal as a whole and saw her cutie mark. “Kid, you have a broken mirror as a cutie mark,” Trixie said. Jinx nodded, rolled her eyes, and then shrank down and looked very ashamed. “Before, Trixie didn’t think you would ever shut up, now Trixie cannot seem to get you to talk!” Trixie exclaimed. “Jinx is pathetic,” she said. “Maybe this was a mistake.” The foal made one glance upward and looked Trixie in the eye. “Come. Trixie will discuss what is expected of you as Trixie’s student over a meal. Together, Trixie and Jinx will work towards new ways of showing up Twilight Sparkle. After we eat, Trixie will find you a better hat. A magician is nothing without a proper hat. That will be your first lesson,” Trixie stated, looking down her nose at her student with narrowed eyes. With a flash of her horn, she teleported a few bits from her donation box into her hat. “Thank you,” the foal returned, her eyes watering slightly. When Trixie turned away, the foal gave a canny half smile. Trixie trotted towards the center of town and Jinx followed just behind her, looking around at the ponies now staring at the both of them. The pair drew a great deal of attention, the showmare in her tattered cloak and battered hat, and the obnoxiously orange unicorn foal wearing a soiled newspaper hat. “Trixie will have to find you a cloak as well. A cloak inspires a proper sense of drama for a showmare,” Trixie explained. “Remember that, Student of Trixie.” “Yes my Master,” Jinx replied. Trixie paused mid step, her muzzle scrunching. One eye twitched slightly, and an ear stood sideways. “Trixie likes how that sounds. That pleases Trixie. Student of Trixie may continue to use that honourific.” “Yes Master,” Jinx said. Trixie continued forward, looking around for some place cheap to eat. There wasn’t a lot of bits to work with here. She could hear the foal’s stomach periodically broadcasting the fact that it was empty. After a bit of a walk, Trixie finally stopped in front of a place that looked like it might suit her needs. She pushed her way through the door into the dim interior, the air filled with the fragrant smell of coffee and donuts. “The Great and Powerful Trixie needs a Great and Powerful brew,” Trixie quipped. “Eh, we got that,” the mare behind the counter replied. “I have a pot of the special sludge on reserve. Anything else?” “The Great and Powerful Trixie is wondering if donuts are a suitable meal for a foal,” Trixie asked. “We have ones with jelly,” the mare deadpanned. “That’s a fruit.” “Perfect, no one can fault Trixie for buying a foal fruit!” Trixie crowed. “Two dozen donuts, jelly, two extra large cups of the special sludge, extra sugar, extra cream.” “Ten bits,” the mare replied in a nasal monotone. “Take a seat, I’ll bring it right out.” Trixie and Hijinx sat down in a corner booth, scooting and settling in to the padded seats and leaning on the table, looking at one another. “The Responsible and Concerned Trixie looks after her student and does right to provide for her, behold, the healthy and nutritional meal that Trixie has procured!” Trixie bragged. “Thank you,” Jinx replied, her tone humble. “Master is very kind, and ponies are sure to remember her generousity.” Trixie looked flabbergasted, the foal’s words settling into her brain. Yes she said to herself, ponies were sure to see how great of a pony Trixie was when they saw her generousity towards her student. “Trixie wants to know, what sort of magic are you, the student of the Great and Powerful Trixie, good at casting?” Trixie asked. “Jinx is really good at setting things on fire!” Jinx replied eagerly. “Oh really… that sounds gifted,” Trixie said nervously. The mare from behind the counter brought out the donuts and coffee. “I added the stale donuts from this morning. Better than throwing them out,” she muttered halfheartedly. Jinx wasted no time and ravenously assaulted the pile of donuts, grabbing a chocolate frosted donut first. Trixie felt a twinge of annoyance. The chocolate frosted donut should have been eaten last, as a dessert, the healthy jelly donuts should be eaten first. They were a fruit after all. Trixie squashed down her concerns and said nothing. The foal was starving and Trixie knew what it was like to starve. The mare shuffled off to stand behind the counter again, saying nothing as she resumed her post. The showmare and her apprentice rapidly consumed the donuts, and Trixie felt her resolve slip as she too ate a dessert donut, a long cream filled maple glazed pastry that spurted cream all over her snoot. Jinx laughed when she saw Trixie, and, rather than feeling like she was being laughed at, Trixie realised that it was funny, and she too had a good laugh at her own expense, something she had not experienced before. Trixie carefully sipped her coffee, it was hot but not too hot, and it was very, very strong. It was thick and brown even with the cream, and the sugar made it very sweet, just how Trixie liked it. Watching her benefactor drink coffee, Hijinx cautiously took a sip. The foal’s brain imploded. The thick liquid crept down her throat, burned bitterly, and then blossomed into a warm feeling of contentment in her belly. She felt something just behind her eyes begin to vibrate, her frogs began to sweat, and she could feel something deep within her hooves begin to pulsate. She took another sip and the effects doubled. “ThisisreallygoodcoffeeandJinxreallylikescoffeeandJinxisgoingtowantmorecoffee!” the foal blurted. Trixie’s eyebrows raised in alarm. The unicorn filly was vibrating slightly, her outline fuzzy and vague. Sparks sprinkled from her horn. The foal’s pupils had shrank to pinpricks. The overall sight, while slightly disconcerting, was highly amusing. Trixie laughed. Foals were funny. And in particular, this foal was hilarious. Jinx tore through the donuts in high speed, hardly chewing, devouring the first food she had eaten in quite a while, her body jittering and twitching. Trixie had eaten her fill of the donuts, so she sat back and allowed Jinx to devour the rest. She sipped her coffee, savouring each swallow, thoroughly enjoying the soupy liquid. Finally, Trixie Lulamoon had something that Twilight Sparkle didn’t have. She couldn’t wait to hold this over Twilight’s head and maybe, just maybe, rub it in just a little tiny bit. But not too much. There was a fine fine line between tweaking Twilight Sparkle’s lavender snoot and making Twilight Sparkle angry. The blue showmare only wanted a gentle tweaking of the royal snoot. Twilight Sparkle was the closest thing she had to a friend, and she didn’t want to ruin that. Trixie watched the starving foal finish off the last donut, then the unicorn filly belched an enormous show stopper of a belch that sounded like a giant frog in love with a foghorn, and then the foal began to guzzle her coffee. Bits were tight, but at the moment, life seemed like it was pretty good. Trixie was glad she had taken a chance and had returned to Ponyville. Author's Note Something I started fleshing out way back in March but never got around to actually working on. Feedback is welcomed and appreciated. I don't know what me write this clusterbuck of a story so don't ask. Trixie is going to make the worst parent, er, teacher, er, wait, master, there we go, master ever. The dynamic with Twilight Sparkle later is going to be foal-centric, but I can't say more. Anyhoo, if this falls flat, I'll axe it. I hope it doesn't fall flat, so give me a reason to keep writing it!
Chapter 2The secondhoof store was full of junk, but some of it was good junk. There were some tools, gardening implements, housewares, and even a few odd things like clothing, which was out of place to find in a society that typically did not wear clothing. The first thing that Trixie found as an old somewhat faded purple blanket that Trixie knew that she could sew into a passable cloak. Hijinx continued to vibrate and took jittery jerky steps to keep up with Trixie. After wandering through the crowded store full of junk, Trixie finally found something worth looking for. She cackled when she saw it, knowing that it was perfect for her student. A somewhat battered purple velvet top hat. Some of the velvet looked a little rubbed, it had a rough patches, but it was perfectly suitable for a student. Trixie lifted it in her magic and plunked it down in Hijinx’s head. It stayed in place for a moment, but the vibrating foal made it fall over her eyes, and all that was visible was Hijinx’ muzzle and her wide manic grin. “The Great and Powerful Trixie has a Cuddly and Adorable Student!” Trixie announced, prancing in place on her hooves with delight, quite overtaken with the new feeling deep inside of her. “Y-y-y-y-y-y-y-yeah!” Hijinx stammered, completely unable to stay still. “Trixie is not quite certain what is wrong with you, but your continued need to vibrate is unsettling,” Trixie said in concern. “I-I-I f-f-f-f-f-feel g-g-g-g-g-good!” Hijinx stuttered. “T-t-t-t-the w-w-w-w-world i-i-is s-s-s-s-s-so s-s-s-s-s-slow r-r-r-r-right n-n-n-n-n-now.” “Trixie is certain that it is. Even the world must slow down and acknowledge our Great and Powerful Superiourity,” Trixie acknowledged with a haughty nod. Trixie led the blinded foal along and went to pay for the goods they had collected, drawing a few stares from other ponies in the store, which Trixie took to be looks of admiration. Trixie emerged from the store with Hijinx in tow and there she was. Trixie felt her heart leap into her throat when she saw her. Trixie began to feel as though she was vibrating. Princess Twilight Sparkle was walking with Discord and the two were talking. “Hello Twilight Sparkle,” Trixie greeted. Twilight and Discord both froze when they saw the vibrating foal. “Hi… Trixie,” Twilight said slowly. “Your performance was quite good. Less boasting and more showing. What is wrong with that poor foal?” “Yes, let us all get down to the heart of the issue here, what is wrong with that poor foal?” Discord queried. “The Great and Powerful Trixie has taken on a Great and Powerful Student!” Trixie crowed. “The Clever and Crafty Trixie has finally done something that Twilight Sparkle has not.” “You sure have Trixie,” Twilight agreed. “But what is wrong with your student?” “Nothing is wrong with my student,” Trixie insisted. Discord raised his eyebrow and exchanged a glance with Twilight. “Trixie is a Considerate and Kind Caretaker. Trixie gave the foal a nutritious meal of jelly donuts and coffee. The jelly donuts are a fruit!” Trixie announced. Discord covered his face with his lion’s paw and moaned. Twilight Sparkle struggled to suppress a look of horror. “Coffee… foal… jelly donuts…” Twilight stammered. “Even the all powerful Twilight Sparkle is awed by Trixie’s foal looking after abilities! Huzzah!” Trixie boasted. “She sure is,” Discord agreed, rubbing his head and closing his eyes. “Hijinx, this is Twilight Sparkle and this is Discord,” Trixie introduced, lifting the hat away from the foal’s eyes. “H-h-h-h-h-h-hi!” Hijinx greeted in an all to perky voice that was almost a screech. Discord moved forward, studying Trixie’s protege. He gently patted the foal on the side of her trembling face, looked her over, and then froze, his mouth hanging open in horror when he saw her cutie mark. “Discord, is something wrong?” Twilight asked in alarm. Discord wasn’t afraid of anything. And yet right now, he looked terror-stricken. Discord began to back away from the foal. “This foal will be the ruination of us all Twilight Sparkle,” Discord announced in a trembling voice. “Trixie, what have you done?” Trixie started to reply but her words died in her throat. Discord was off, running away on all fours at full speed, his wings flapping as he ran. The draconequus was howling in fear, a keening wail that could be heard all over Ponyville. “I wonder what’s gotten into him?” Twilight Sparkle quipped, her eyebrow raised. “Discord is right to fear Trixie’s student. He recognises her supreme raw ability and sees it as a threat!” Trixie announced. Twilight Sparkle heaved a sigh and summoned her patience. She studied the foal, trying to see what had frightened Discord. Two eyes? Two ears? Obnoxious orange colour that would make Applejack look dim? Twilight noticed the foal’s cutie mark. Which was a little odd she had to admit. A broken mirror. A broken mirror cutie mark that had scared Discord senseless somehow. Twilight sensed there was more to this situation and resolved to investigate this budding mystery. “FLEE!” Discord’s voice wailed in the distance. Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes. What was it about her that made every dramatic soul around her flock to her? Trixie, Discord, Rarity and even Pinkie Pie. Twilight paused and reflected, perhaps I should introduce Hijinx and Pinkie Pie to one another she thought to herself. Just to see what might happen. “Trixie, while donuts are fine for a snack, why don’t you come by the library later with Hijinks and we can have dinner together,” Twilight invited. “Really?” Trixie asked, her voice full of disbelief. “Yes,” Twilight replied, staring at the blue mare. “You want dinner with the Great and Powerful Trixie?” Trixie asked. “And your Caffeinated and Hyperactive Student,” Twilight responded, resigning herself to future annoyances. “Is this a trick?” Trixie asked bluntly. “No,” sighed Twilight. “I’m just worried about Hijinx. And you. You can’t survive eating donuts.” “You worry about Trixie?” Trixie queried. Twilight blushed. “Well, yeah, I worry about all of my friends,” Twilight mumbled, suddenly looking down at the ground. A silence fell upon the former rivals that endured for several minutes. “Trixie accepts your invitation. And Trixie gives you Trixie’s thanks. From the bottom of Trixie’s heart,” Trixie said appreciatively, ending the silence. “THE END IS HERE!” a voice shouted in the far off distance. “I wish I could understand Discord sometimes,” Twilight groaned. “He is much better after his reformation, but he has these moments where he just don’t make sense.” “Trixie has been trying to make a few changes as well,” Trixie confessed, kicking the dirt with her forehoof. “Discord and Trixie have a lot in common.” “WooooOOOOOoooooOOO!” Hijinx warbled as she began to jump up and down in place. “Trixie, you should take her to the park and allow her to run around for a few hours,” Twilight suggested. “That might be wise Twilight Sparkle,” Trixie agreed. “Any other advice on training a Great and Powerful Student?” “Well, boosting her self confidence shouldn’t be a problem,” Twilight deadpanned. “DOOM!” a faint voice shouted. Twilight covered her face with a wing. Trixie was sprawled on a park bench, feeling the sun on her sides. Hijinx was sprawled in the grass, finally down after several hours of running around in a circle shouting “woo woo” to herself. Trixie yawned, feeling the need for another cup of coffee. Perhaps giving Hijinx more coffee would be a bad idea. She felt a strange and unknown stirring within herself as she gazed upon her student. Without being able to explain why she felt this way, Trixie wanted the foal to be happy. It was a mysterious feeling that unsettled her slightly. She watched other mares in the park, playing with their foals, and felt the feeling once again stirring within her breast, and Trixie heaved a sigh. It was comforting to watch the mares and their foals playing. Hugging. Being close to one another. Trixie felt the sudden urge to go and cuddle with her student who was sprawled out in the grass. She quickly dismissed the flight of fancy, Great and Powerful Teachers did not snuggle with their students. Certainly, when Trixie was in Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, no teacher ever cuddled with her. Trixie wondered if Princess Celestia ever cuddled with Twilight Sparkle. What if Trixie is in over Trixie’s head? she asked of herself. It couldn’t be that hard. Teach magic, feed occasionally, what else was there? Trixie mentally reprimanded herself for making this more difficult than it needed to be. Clearly the foal could look after itself and very little was actually needed on Trixie’s part. Trixie silently slipped off of the park bench, went over to Hijinx, and then sprawled out next to the snoozing foal. Being close almost satisfied this strange new itch. Trixie scooted a little closer, giving a haughty glance to those around her that might judge her for being cuddly with a foal in the grass. She could feel the foal against her side, her breath making her barrel expand and contract, faint snuffles coming from the foal’s nostrils. “This is pleasant,” Trixie announced quietly to herself. “Trixie now understands the appeal of this action. Trixie shall do this more often. Trixie shall demand of Trixie’s student the occasional cuddle. After all, a student is in no position to refuse the demands of their Great and Powerful Master.” Author's Note DOOOOOOOOOOM! Next chapter- more DOOOOM!
Chapter 3“Spike, take a letter!” Twilight Sparkle requested. Spike grumbled but complied, taking out a sheet of paper, a fresh quill, and making himself ready. “Any time Twilight,” he replied. “Dear Princess Celestia, there is a new foal in Ponyville that I have never seen before. Trixie Lulamoon has taken her on as a student. The foal has a broken mirror cutie mark and it has scared Discord senseless. Your friend, Twilight Sparkle,” Twilight dictated to Spike, who carefully took down each word. The dragon rolled up the message, took a deep breath, and set it on fire, sending it to Princess Celestia. “Trixie has a student?” he asked when he was finished. “Yes she does Spike,” Twilight replied. “And you don’t…” Spike sniggered. Twilight shot the dragon an icy glare and raised her eyebrow in an acerbic manner. “By the way Spike, Trixie and her student are coming over for dinner. Which you will be fixing.” Spike’s laughter died abruptly. “Oh.” “Thank you Spike, I mean that. You do so much for me,” Twilight said graciously, seeing her number one assistant looking a little crestfallen. “Aw, don’t mention it Twilight,” Spike said bashfully. Spike hiccuped slightly and then belched, coughing up a scroll. He handed it to Twilight, who broke the seal, unrolled it, and read it. “Oh dear, we are in big trouble, say nothing to Trixie Lulamoon and await further instructions. Whatever you do, be exceptionally kind to the foal,” Twilight read. “She didn’t sign it, how weird. And she seems to think we are in big trouble. Oh my, I wonder what Celestia thinks is big trouble. Discord is scared, Celestia says we are in big trouble and forgets to sign a letter, I am getting worried Spike.” “I’m scared Twilight,” Spike admitted, rubbing his claws together and fretting. “Princess Celestia is a stickler for letters. She would never forget to sign a letter under normal circumstances!” Twilight felt the first prickle of fear. She mentally resolved to go and talk with Discord. Being nice to the foal was a high priority it seemed. Being nice to Trixie by extension seemed wise. “Spike, something extra nice for dinner, but nothing too sweet. Trixie gave her student Hijinx coffee and donuts.” “Who gives a foal coffee?” Spike cried in startled astonishment. “Somepony with a good heart and very good intentions who saw a starving foal. She’s nothing but ribs Spike,” Twilight responded. “Oh. Poor thing. I’ll fix something extra good for her then,” Spike huffed, sounding depressed. “Trixie has changed, hasn’t she?” “I think so Spike. She’s getting better,” Twilight agreed. “You like her, don’t you Twilight?” Spike asked. “She is my friend,” Twilight admitted. “Oh no, I don’t mean like that, I mean you like her,” Spike stated. “I don’t know what you mean Spike,” replied Twilight while blushing furiously. She gave Spike the stinkeye. “I’ll get the candles for dinner,” Spike said as a final parting shot as he waddled off into the kitchen. Twilight did not reply. She stood alone in the middle of her library, fuming at her number one assistant and feeling some mild concern about the situation that seemed to be brewing. Trixie and Hijinx stood at the library door. Trixie rapped on the door with her hoof and waited, while Hijinx yawned sleepily. Hijinx was wearing her hat and her yawns were painfully adorable to the unsuspecting passersby. A passing stallion named Noteworthy took one glance, clutched his barrel with one foreleg, and then staggered off on three legs, his eyes squeezed shut and his teeth bared in pain. The door opened, and Twilight invited the duo inside before any further passersby could be stricken. “Hi Trixie. Hello Hijinx. Welcome to the library. I am pleased to have you as my guest,” Twilight greeted. Spike took their hats and placed them on a small table by the door. “Trixie thanks you for your invitation,” Trixie replied. “Jinx thanks you as well and smells food!” Hijinx added while licking her lips. There was an awkward silence, the sort of awkward silence that spawns awkward silences later when you think back on it and realise just how awkward that silence really was, a pregnant silence that spawned future silences, leaving behind a very quiet future, which seems like a contradiction, but thankfully there is plenty of quiet time to think upon it. Spike, having a cosmic realisation that the future was at stake, spoke up. “Hijinx, let’s go eat. We’ll leave those two alone so they can make goo-goo eyes at one another,” he invited, patting Hijinx on the withers. “Spike!” Twilight protested. Trixie said nothing, but stared down at her own front hooves, blushing. Spike led the foal along, into the kitchen, and sat her down at the table where a few candles were burning. He carefully pushed her chair in and then took a seat beside her. “Macaroni and cheese?” the dragon asked. “What is it?” Hijinx asked. “Here, try some,” Spike offered, spooning some onto her plate. “Here, have some peas and carrots too,” he added, spooning some of those onto her plate as well. He then filled his own as the two mares finally made it to table and sat down next to one another. Trixie was unusually quiet at the table, looking at her student and then back at at Twilight, and occasionally at Spike when the dragon gave a knowing chortle. “So what are you going to teach your student?” Spike asked, trying to save dinner. “Trixie was going to teach Hijinx how to be great and powerful,” Trixie said, glancing at Twilight Sparkle, who had a carrot stuck to her snoot and a pea stuck to her eyebrow. Twilight was that kind of eater. “Twilight Sparkle, can Trixie help you get the pea off of your face?” Trixie asked. Spike and Hijinx both collapsed into chortles. Twilight turned beet red and Trixie did as well once she realised exactly what she had said. The two mares once again lapsed into silence. Awkward silence. The pregnant silence from before had given birth. “Hijinx…” “Call Jinx Jinx,” Jinx replied, interrupting Spike and doing her part to destroy the silence which had returned to haunt them. “Jinx, do you like the macaroni and cheese?” Spike asked. “Very much so!” Jinx replied, bobbing her head enthusiastically. Spike studied the filly, trying to figure out what had scared Discord so badly and had caused Princess Celestia to botch a letter. Jinx seemed normal enough. Except for the fact that she had never heard of macaroni and cheese before. Spike found that strange. “Jinx, what happened to your parents? Do they approve of you running away from home and being Trixie’s apprentice?” Spike asked. “Parents?” Jinx asked. “You know, your mother and your father?” Spike asked. “Jinx has no mother and father,” Jinx stated. “Where do you come from?” Spike inquired. “Jinx does not know,” Jinx admitted. “What do you mean you don’t know, where were you before Ponyville?” Spike queried. “Jinx remembers Ponyville…” Jinx said slowly. Spike tried to ask another question but found no words would come out. “Trixie is an amazing teacher, isn’t she Jinx!” Twilight said with an overabundance of enthusiasm and shooting a glance at Spike. “Trixie is both Great and Powerful,” Jinx answered. Trixie blushed again but said nothing. Spike, now silenced, began to feel a faint tingle of fear. Jinx seemed to have no memory of life before Ponyville. How odd. And no parents. No knowledge of macaroni and cheese. Twilight had silenced him and had quickly changed the subject. Something was definitely up. Spike looked and saw that Twilight was trembling. And something told him it wasn’t because of Trixie. Is she a changeling? Spike thought to himself. No, Twilight would have figured that out already and changelings wouldn’t scare Discord. Trixie was to engrossed in fawning over Twilight to even notice there was a problem. Spike felt a little thankful that Trixie was oblivious. “Trixie, you truly are Great and Powerful now, being a teacher is what makes one Great and Powerful. Be very kind and gracious to your student so she too, may become Great and Powerful,” Twilight said, making Trixie blush. Deep down inside, it felt good to compliment Trixie Twilight realised, even if it was only to encourage Trixie to be kind for her own safety. Something was up with the foal and Twilight genuinely didn’t want to see Trixie get hurt. Trixie needed honest praise just like any other pony and unconditional pony regard. Something in Twilight’s mind clicked and registered, but she didn’t know what it was, only that something had changed and that the world was now different. What she did not know was that she was in the perfect position to teach Trixie how to become great and powerful, taking on Trixie as both a friend, a student, and perhaps something a little bit more. Something special. By guiding Trixie, Twilight could guide Jinx. Twilight had no way of knowing that the entire fate of the world was once again in her hooves. Author's Note Doooooom! Let me know if Gammrarly or I missed anything. It is possible. And discuss below! SPECULATE!
Chapter 4“Is it gone?” Discord asked, sticking his head into the library door and peering around. “Princess Celestia wanted me to talk to you,” the draconequus muttered. “They’re both gone. Now tell me, what is going on and why are you acting so weird?” Twilight Sparkle demanded. She stood and glared at the draconequus, one hoof tapping on the floor in annoyance. “That thing isn’t a foal,” Discord hissed. “What?” Twilight cried in disbelief. “That was a… a… a thing that comes around every few centuries. It latches on to a being most deserving. And then it delivers the means to destroy themselves,” Discord explained. “Trixie must have been a very naughty pony for a spirit of disharmony to latch on to her and punish her for her misdeeds.” Twilight’s backside fell to the floor and she let out a cry when her dock slammed into the floorboards. “They destroy everything around them… they are the embodiment of bad luck and misfortune. Everything that can go wrong will go wrong. As Trixie continues to be boastful, as she continues to be Trixie, that thing will only get stronger and stronger until one day, it destroys Trixie and everything around her,” Discord explained. “Can it be stopped?” Twilight queried. “Well, in theory. It would mean a total reformation of Trixie. Nothing for that thing to feed off of. And then I don’t know what might happen. Maybe it goes and latches on to the next being most deserving,” Discord replied. “One thing I do know, you can’t tell Trixie about this. If she finds out, the gig is up and that thing claims her.” “So she can’t be warned,” Twilight said. “No, she can’t” Discord responded. “And that thing will try to manipulate her and bring out the worst in her,” he warned. “So how do we save her?” Twilight asked, looking very thoughtful and determined, a look that Discord knew well. “The magic of friendship?” Discord replied, his tone quizzical and his words a question. “What happens if we save Trixie? What of Hijinx?” Twilight asked. “I don’t know for certain,” Discord said. “It is a spirit of disharmony. It might simply vanish. It may go off to find the next victim so its purpose can be fulfilled. I don’t know what will happen. But right now, it is in its weakest stage. Later on, if it feeds, its powers will rival my own until the being it latches on to is finally destroyed in some horrible act of misfortune. Whole cities have been destroyed because of these things. Whole empires.” “So, to save Trixie and possibly Equestria, I need to be Trixie’s friend, bring out the best in her while Hijinx manipulates her into doing bad things, encourage Trixie to be a better pony, and maybe even try to show some friendship to Hijinx as well, because I can’t see that hurting my chances,” Twilight summarised. “Trixie is a little misguided, but I cannot believe the whole cosmos has conspired against her in such a way, selecting her for this kind of punishment,” Discord quipped. “Can you stop this?” Twilight asked, peering up at Discord. “Chaos versus chaos?” Discord questioned. “What happens when a mudslide and a raging flood collide with one another?” he asked. “Point taken,” Twilight conceded. Discord conjured up a glass of chocolate milk and offered it to Twilight, who accepted it gratefully. Discord summoned up his own and the pair sat in silence, sipping chocolate milk, occasionally looking at one another. “Are we friends?” Discord asked suddenly, breaking the silence. “Well, yeah,” Twilight responded. “So you would try to save me from a horrible fate?” Discord asked. “Haven’t I already?” Twilight returned. “Indeed. You have,” Discord acknowledged. The pair fell silent again, the chocolate milk in their glasses mysteriously not emptying no matter how much they drank. He squirmed and fidgeted, turning and twisting about, until he literally tied himself into a knot. “Do you love Trixie?” Discord blurted, breaking the silence. “What? Me? No! Maybe. It it just a crush… its complicated,” Twilight answered, her face turning a slightly darker shade of purple. “How is it complicated?” Discord asked gently. “I am a princess, and ponies expect all of these things from me, and I have to live up to a certain public image… and if I became too involved with Trixie, things could and would be blown out of proportion. Trixie would get hurt, I would get hurt, and all kinds of awful things would happen,” Twilight replied. “Why?” Discord asked. “Because, princesses are just not supposed to get involved in hot steamy relationships with showmares… especially showmares like Trixie,” responded Twilight as she squirmed uncomfortably. “Explain,” Discord requested. “If you please.” “She has certain behaviours that the press would seize upon and it hurt the public image of the crown,” Twilight explained. “So the problem is, Trixie behaves like Trixie,” Discord summarised. “Well, no. Yes. Perhaps. I don’t know?” Twilight answered. “You know, Fluttershy was concerned about being seen with me… so she went to work on me, gently guiding me along, until I was the sort of draconequus that she felt comfortable being seen with. She likes me a great deal, but she was concerned about some of the attention I draw. So now, I keep it low key when I am around her,” Discord stated. “Fluttershy really likes me for whom I am though, so in private, I am free to be myself. I had to take some time to learn what was appropriate and when.” “So you changed for Fluttershy?” Twilight asked. “Well, to be fair, Fluttershy has changed a great deal for me,” Discord confided as he raised an eyebrow. “But Fluttershy hasn’t changed at all,” Twilight retorted. “Sure she has,” Discord insisted. “How so?” Twilight asked. “Do you really want to know?” Discord queried. “I think I do,” said Twilight, her face full of doubt. “Well, since you insist, she longer demands that the lights be turned off when we bump uglies,” Discord answered. “EEEEW!” “You asked!” “MY BRAIN!” “Well, love is all about give and take. Just give Trixie a nudge to make her behave a little. I mean, you need to do that anyway because of Hijinx, so here is your chance. What harm could it do?” Discord asked. “I suppose you are right,” Twilight asked. “Really… seriously, you and Fluttershy?” Discord nodded. “Well, I really feel like a dork. Even Fluttershy-” “You mean you’ve never-” “NO!” The silence returned, chock full of awkwardness. “I won’t tell a soul,” Discord promised. “Thank you,” Twilight said in a high pitched voice full of tension. “Where is Spike?” Discord asked. “Off helping Rarity burn the midnight oil,” Twilight replied. Discord grinned. “I envy Spike sometimes,” Twilight admitted. “How so?” Discord asked. “He is young, innocent, and free from complications. He gets to enjoy his crush on Rarity and live in the moment. He’s free to enjoy it for what it is, and doesn’t have to worry about what it might be, or how it might affect everypony around him. He gets to live and laugh and-” “Spike is not a princess,” Discord interrupted. “Yeah,” Twilight agreed. She stared down into her glass of chocolate milk as though the answers of life might be hiding down in the brown depths and heaved a sigh of contemplation. “I envy Rarity in this situation,” Discord announced. “Rarity?” Twilight asked. “How so?” “Free labour,” Discord replied with seeming utter seriousness. Twilight chortled and nearly shot chocolate milk out of her nose. “Really, Rarity bats her eyelashes, gives a pouty look, and she gets free labour! If I indulge in level of manipulation I get lectured by Celestia for being a cad,” Discord lamented. “I mean, when Rarity bats her eyelashes, she can summon an army of stallions, colts, and one little dragon to do her bidding. I wish I had her power.” Discord turned suddenly on Twilight, his face done up in entirely too much makeup, batting his absurdly long eyelashes, showing off his garish green mascara, and he caused Twilight to shriek in startled surprise. “Think I could get Spike to help me?” Discord asked in deadpan. Twilight sniggered and then fell apart completely, collapsing upon the floor and guffawing, which caused the draconequus to sniff in a mock-disturbed manner. “You are jealous of my great beauty,” Discord huffed, not one trace of a laugh in his voice. Twilight continued to roll on the floor, clutching her sides, and kicking her hind legs as she laughed riotously. She snorted in between her brays of laughter, and finally, Discord raised an eyebrow at her. “It is nice to finally see you let go and be a pony,” Discord observed, his makeup now gone. “I suppose certain things are a lot funnier when you can trust somepony.” Twilight wiped her eyes and nodded. “I suppose I need to write that down in my own friendship diary,” Discord quipped. “Today, I learned that sometimes, if you want to get a friend to laugh, they have to trust you first so they can be open and honest in their reactions.” “That is actually really profound Discord. I think I’ll write that down as well,” Twilight replied. “Celestia will be so proud,” Discord gushed. Author's Note A friendship lesson! More is coming. This is a short (er) story, Now, Twilight has to find a way to save Trixie from herself. She has to make Trixie Great and Powerful.
