Scholar's Mate

Chapters

White, Turn 2: White Queen to H5
Black, Turn 2: Black Knight to C6
White, Turn 3: White Bishop to C4
Black, Turn 3: Black Knight to F6
White, Turn 4: White Queen Takes F7
White Declares Checkmate
Black Flips Table
White, Turn 1: White Pawn To E4
Black, Turn 1: Black Pawn to E5

White, Turn 2: White Queen to H5

Scholar's Mate
White, Turn 2: White Queen to H5
by MagnetBolt

Canterlot's train station was one of the busiest places in the city, bustling with the comings and goings of nobility, commoners, diplomats, and soldiers alike. It ran like a clock, and currently that clock had come to a stop. The platforms had been cleared, soldiers posted at the doors and keeping everypony out, trains waiting on side tracks, already late to their destinations.

The reason for the still chaos became evident soon, as a sleek train, its prow adorned with a jagged crystal ram, slid almost silently into the station. The doors opened, and guards stepped out, in new, silvery armor adorned with inscriptions and engraving. The ponies themselves glittered with light, looking around the almost-empty station suspiciously before stepping aside to allow those behind them to pass.

“This seems like a lot of fuss for just the two of us,” Shining Armor said as he stepped out, just behind and to the right of his wife. Cadence didn't look back at him.

“It is proper,” Cadence countered. “It isn't just for two average ponies. I am the Crystal Empress. It's the least Luna and Celestia could do, considering they couldn't be bothered to come and greet us in person just because they're busy with some stupid ceremony.” She huffed, offended.

“Honey...” Shining Armor pleaded. Cadence stopped and sighed.

“I know they're busy,” she said quietly. “I know that the Crystal Empire isn't even self-sufficient, and barely more than a city in a wasteland of snow. I know I'm not as powerful as they are, and even your sister is almost twice as strong as I am.”

She spun, glaring at Shining Armor. “The last thing I want is to be reminded of it at every moment! I am not just some tool of prophesy to be used once and discarded! I am an immortal and an empress and I-” she hissed, turning away.

“I'm sorry,” Shining Armor said. “I didn't mean to make you angry. I love you.”

Cadence smiled at him. “I know you do. I'm sorry for yelling at you.” She stepped closer and nuzzled him. “Now let's go and get what we came here for. Then I can get back to where I'm appreciated.”

***

“Trixie Lulamoon, step forward,” Luna said. Trixie took a step forward, her armor clanking in the near-silence of the castle's great hall. Velvet curtains hung over the windows, casting the room into darkness broken by torches and a central bonfire. They were not the magical lights that were usually used, but crackling, smoking wood. With the gloom, it gave almost the sense of being in a cave.

Luna looked down at her from her place on the throne. Held in the soft glow of her magic was a short blade, barely more than a knife, in a scabbard of black and silver embossed with the crest of a winged moon.

“Trixie Lulamoon, doth thou swear to serve Equestria and her interests?” Luna asked.

“I do,” Trixie said, careful not to use the third person. Shadows moved around her, the hall full of armored ponies and stranger shapes, most of them wearing black cloaks that muffled their movements and concealed their features.

“Doth thou swear to uphold the ancient oaths of service? The Night Guard is not a place for those who want an easy life, for those who serve for praise, or for those who hold no secrets in their heart.”

“I do,” Trixie said, keeping her voice level and eyes fixed on the Princess.

“Then repeat after me. I swear to fight even when it is impossible to win.”

“I swear to fight even when it is impossible to win.”

“I swear to protect those who will never know my name.”

“I swear to protect those who will never know my name,” Trixie repeated.

“I swear to keep all the secrets of my fellows as if they were my own.”

“Then I, Princess Luna of Equestria, Mare Somniorum, Siderum Regina Alicornis, name thee Palatine.” Luna unsheathed the small silver blade, touching it to each of Trixie's shoulders before sheathing the blade and presenting it to her. Trixie took it and bowed. Luna bowed in return.

“Now,” Luna said, straightening up, a smile appearing on her face. “Let the feasting commence!” With that, the light brightened, and the assembled Night Guard cheered, mugs foisted in the air and food moving onto plates.

***

“Celestia, how have you been?” Cadance asked, smiling as she stepped forward to embrace the much larger alicorn for a moment before pulling away. “I hardly get to see you these days.”

“It is a trying time,” Celestia admitted, her own smile tight. “Would you care for a cup of tea?”

Cadence hated tea. “Of course, Auntie,” She said, maintaining her smile.

“It's lavender and mint. A very fine blend,” Celestia said. She allowed a maid to pour a cup for Cadence and refill her own. “If you could give us some privacy?” She asked. The maid bowed and left the two alicorns.

“I imagine so, with the Alicorn Amulet being stolen like that. Did you find out how Professor Sundowner got it?” Cadence sipped her tea and kept back a grimace at the taste. It was like hot grass water, bitter and unpleasant. But like wine, she was expected to like it. It was only proper for a lady.

“I have some leads,” Celestia said, vaguely.

“There are other things on your mind,” Cadence said, being very plain about it. Celestia nodded. Cadence took it as permission to continue. “I'm surprised Luna isn't here to join us.” Of course, she wasn't really surprised. She'd been informed about what the mare was doing before she'd even left the Empire.

“She is busy with a... Night Guard ceremony.” Celestia picked at a piece of cake, obviously troubled and distracted. If she'd been in a good mood, the cake would have vanished already into her maw. Cadence had to watch everything she ate just to avoid putting on weight.

“It must be a very important ceremony.” Cadence injected just a little awe into her voice. Celestia frowned at the tone.

“She is inducting a new officer recruit. Her new student.” Celestia glanced out a window. Cadence followed her gaze. The windows of the west hall were blacked out from within.

“Ah, I see,” Cadence said. “Trixie.”

“Trixie,” Celestia agreed with a nod, still looking out the window, as if she could see through the velvet and stone.

“Trixie is very popular these days. I mean, she's Twilight Sparkle's marefriend, Princess Luna's personal student, and now an officer. And an alicorn, but that's a secret to everypony.” Cadence giggled. “She's so different from Twilight. I was always worried that she'd never have friends. Why, back when she lived at the castle, you were almost the only friend she had.”

“And Twilight was...” Celestia trailed off, looking down. Cadence's horn glowed with a dim blue light. Celestia groaned and touched a hoof to her head.

***

“Trixie, this shall by thy new charge.” Luna put a wing around her and led her to a table of guards without the characteristic black cloaks. “These are the officers who will be serving under thou. They and the recruits under them will no doubt prosper with thy skills.”

“Trixie still doesn't see what this has to do with learning magic,” Trixie said, grumbling.

“Thou need to develop thine earth pony and pegasus magic,” Luna pointed out. “Else thou shall never unlock thy true potential.”

Trixie paled. “Luna, you can't just say things like that where anypony can hear!”

Luna laughed loudly. “Did thou not listen carefully enough? Among the Night Guard, all have secrets that they keep close to their hearts. If there is anyone thou can trust, it is amongst these fellows. They would die before revealing any of thy secrets.” Trixie noticed that she hadn't said anypony. “Now sit with them, drink, and be merry. Thou shall get to know them well.”

Trixie nervously sat at the table, looking over the other officers, as Luna stepped away to speak to the other members of the guard. The uncloaked guards were a motley bunch.

The first was a batpony. Or, as Luna had corrected her before, a thestral. He seemed almost out of place, professional and restrained compared to the rest. Like seemingly all of his kind, he had a dark gray coat the color of charcoal.

The second was almost identical to the first, but with a devious grin and bright blue eyes in place of the first thestral's yellow irises. He wasn't eating anything, nor did he seem to have a plate.

The third was a pegasus, or most of one anyway. He was missing his left wing and had burn scars across that whole side of his body. They were livid, despite obvious age, and Trixie winced, wondering how he'd gotten the crawling, almost spiderweb-like burns. What parts of his body weren't burned were a light green, his mane blue-gray.

The fourth was a donkey. He was glowering at the others. If it wasn't for the next occupant of the table, the donkey would have looked even more out of place. He snorted, clearly unhappy with everypony, especially the person sitting next to him.

That's because the fifth was a griffon, tearing into a whole fish with gusto, obviously enjoying how her eating habits were disgusting her herbivorous squadmates. She had brown feathers and light yellow fur, with a teal tattoo under her right eye of an abstract, angular design.

The last was a unicorn with a white mane, white coat, slender build... Trixie blinked as she suddenly recognized the mare.

“Babbidi?!”

***

“It is awful, isn't it?” Cadence asked, as she sat across from Celestia, looking down at the chessboard carefully. “Growing apart from somepony you used to be close to.” Cadence was slowly losing the game. She hated losing.

“It's something an immortal must get used to,” Celestia replied, quietly. “You will find out in your own time. You either grow apart or watch them die.” Cadence had been deliberating over where to move for nearly ten minutes. She slid a unicorn near the middle of the board. Celestia almost instantly placed a pegasus in a new location that threatened both the unicorn and an earth pony. Cadence frowned at the fork. She hadn't seen it coming.

“Those are both tragic.” Cadence almost whispered, distracted and talking about both the game and replying to Celestia. She knew she had more important things to do, but she needed to find a way to turn the game around, first. “You know, I never thought to ask – how close are you and Luna these days?”

“Hm?” Celestia tilted her head, taken off-guard by the question.

“Well, she probably doesn't have as much time for you, now that she has a new student.” Cadence moved a pawn. Celestia didn't take the obvious bait and eliminated her stray earth pony.

“Luna is doing this as a favor to me. I don't feel ready to take another student yet.” Celestia sighed. Cadence raised an eyebrow as she turned away to walk to the window. Cadence quickly moved two pieces, altering the board in her favor. Her horn glowed brightly for a moment, and Celestia winced, touching her head.

“You mean you don't feel ready to teach the pony who stole Twilight's heart from you,” Cadence corrected. Celestia turned sharply and gave her a fearful look. “You can't hide things like that from the Princess of Love. Don't worry, Auntie. I won't say anything to her.” Cadence giggled. Celestia returned to the board.

“It wouldn't be proper,” Celestia said, quietly.

“So when did you start having these feelings?” Cadence asked, batting her eyes. Celestia frowned at the board, finding herself in a worse position than she remembered.

“It was after Tirek's attack,” Celestia said. “I don't know if it was the way Twilight saved all of us, or when I saw her castle and realized just how far apart we'd become. Part of me expected her to come back to Canterlot someday.”

“But she won't,” Cadence retorted. The two alicorns exchanged pieces. “I mean, before Trixie became an alicorn it was really just a matter of time. But now...” she trailed off, letting Celestia fill in the blanks.

“Cadence, am I a bad pony for wanting Twilight to myself?” Celestia moved a piece with her hoof, hesitating and taking back the move before committing to it. “I don't know when I started to dislike Trixie. She's like my sister in some ways.”

“And Twilight is a lot like you. She wants to be you, really. You were always the pony she looked up to the most. When I used to foalsit for her she told me she wanted to marry you some day.” The truth, though it had been a very long time ago. “I never thought she had a chance, to be honest.”

“I never knew,” Celestia muttered.

“It's not your fault,” Cadence said. “She was never good at expressing her feelings, you were always afraid to get close to anypony.”

“Cadence, what should I do?” Celestia asked, looking up at her with tears in her eyes. The solar diarch was helpless. Cadence smiled and moved one last piece. Checkmate.

***

“Trixie,” Babbidi said calmly, motioning to the clear spot on the bench next to her. “I'm afraid I only vaguely remember most of what happened between us. The rest is like....”

“A nightmare,” Trixie finished. Babbidi nodded.

“I decided joining the Night Guard was a way I could atone for what I did and help others.” Babbidi poured Trixie a drink. “I owe you most of all. You saved me from what I had become.”

“Trixie was just doing what she had to do,” Trixie said, almost modestly. “Trixie was also most impressed by your magical talent.”

“That was...” Babbidi blushed a little. “Most of that wasn't me. I'm not actually that good with spells. That's why I tried to learn earth pony magic. They have these rituals handed down through families that almost nopony ever does research on. I thought if I could learn their magic...” She shrugged.

“Trixie will be glad to work with you,” Trixie said, smiling with her. Babbidi smiled back. “Trixie was worried about what might have happened to you.”

“You were worried? But I was your enemy.”

“No, the amulet was Trixie's enemy. Trixie will regale you with the story of how she defeated it once and for all at another time, but it is a wonderful tale of bravery and great magical feats!” She waved a hoof, sending a wash of cracking pops into the air like tiny fireworks to enhance her drama.

“So you're the one who took down the big, bad witch.” The scarred pegasus grinned. Babbidi rolled her eyes. “She told us all about you already. I thought you'd be taller.”

“And who might you be?” Trixie asked, folding her hooves.

“I'm Lucky Strike, that's Ingrid there with the beak. Don't call her a beakie unless you wanna get eaten, though.” The griffon hissed at him for that. Lucky just laughed. “Her bite's worse than her bark. Seriously, though, don't let her bite you. I got some scars from that somewhere, if I can find them in this mess.” He laughed again.

“My name is Legate Koloth,” said the serious thestral. “I will be your second in command.”

“He was supposed to be our new commander,” noted the thestral with blue eyes. “He's not very happy about you taking his place, in case you were curious. But Koloth is always polite, so he probably won't stab you in the back or anything.”

Koloth growled. “Be quiet, Princeps Mandi. If I want your opinion, I'll ask for it. And drop the disguise. You know I hate it when you pretend to be me.”

Mandi sighed and sat back. Trixie flinched as he was suddenly washed over with green flame, revealing a chitinous black figure grinning with fangs and blank blue eyes. Trixie wasn't sure how to react. Nopony was acting like this was strange. The griffon wasn't either. If anything, the changeling seemed disappointed.

“No screams of alarm? No attempt to kill me before I drain you of all your love?” Mandi asked.

Trixie raised an eyebrow. “Since you're in the middle of a very large number of armed and armored ponies, and none of them have tried to squash you, Trixie assumes it means you're supposed to be here.”

The changeling grinned. “You're not as dumb as you look.” He changed to look like Trixie, getting it almost right, except his eyes were still the same color blue as before. His voice acting was, however, spot on. “I, Trixie, the powerful and grand, am pleased to meet you.”

“Great and Powerful Trixie,” Trixie corrected.

“Yeah, that,” Mandi agreed, with a grin. “And that leaves only our dour friend here.” The changeling waved to the donkey. “Behold, I, Trixie, will make this donkey the most unamused and boring lump of hooves and fur in all of Equestria!” Mandi waved his hooves. “Poof! It is done!”

“You have terrible stage presence,” Trixie noted.

“And I ain't borin' just because I ain't annoying like you,” the donkey muttered.

“His name is Durin,” the griffoness said between bites. “And he is not pleased that we have been given to you as some present. You have no combat experience.”

“Trixie has plenty of combat experience. She has defeated timber wolves, giant mud monsters, Babbidi-” she pointed to the witch. Babbidi nodded, confirming that part of her story. “-and Trixie fought a dragon, and defeated a mad alicorn!” She hesitated. “It was kind of a crazy week.”

“You also defeated my minions,” Babbidi pointed out.

“Minions don't count,” Trixie waved a hoof, dismissively.

“If you're so great, where were you when Tirek attacked?” Durin demanded.

“Trixie was on the moon,” she said, embarrassed.

“...yer gonna have to explain that one.”

***

Shining Armor walked into the hall, wearing his purple armor, a new set made especially for him by the crystal ponies. Inside, it was hot and dark, like it wasn't even part of Canterlot, but from an earlier, more primitive time.

And the first thing that drew his eye was a table of misfits and outcasts chanting something over and over again, banging hooves and talons on the rough surface of the table. The mare he'd come to see was sitting at one end of that table, intently staring down at her plate. He couldn't see what was on it from where he was, Trixie's body obscuring it.

“Eat! Eat! Eat!” Most of them yelled. Shining Armor watched as Trixie took a deep breath and lowered her head, biting into something and chewing. She reared back after a moment, still chewing and swallowing, and Shining Armor saw, with horror, a fish tail. It vanished as Trixie ate it, the others at her table cheering her on.

“Hah! You have some honor in you, horned one!” A griffoness said, her wings wide with excitement. She had a strong Griffonish accent. “Perhaps you are not as soft as I feared! Another round of wine for the table!”

“That was so gross,” added a white unicorn sitting next to Trixie. The mare stuck out her tongue. “What did it taste like?”

“It's hard to describe. Kind of salty and metallic, but with a really strange texture.” Trixie licked her lips. “Actually, it was pretty good.” She looked daringly at the Griffoness, as if challenging her with her smirk.

“Barbaric.” Shining Armor stated. Trixie turned to look at him.

“Oh! You must be-” Trixie got to her hooves. “Hello, Shining Armor. I am the Great and Powerful Trixie-”

“I know who you are,” Shining Armor said, cutting her off.

“Of course you do. No doubt Twilight has written about me many times.” Trixie smiled. “She's told me all about you. All good things, though!” She smiled nervously as Shining Armor glared at her.

“You were eating meat,” he said.

“Ingrid said my 'soft horned stomach' couldn't take proper griffon food, and Trixie decided to prove her wrong.” Trixie stuck her nose in the air.

“It's disgusting.” Shining Armor frowned harder. “I have no idea what Twilight sees in somepony like you.”

Trixie felt her cheeks turning red with anger. “Trixie is-”

“A showpony who conned her way into my sister's heart. I won't let you hurt her.” Shining Armor stepped closer, looking down on Trixie with his greater height. “You're not worthy of her. She deserves somepony that won't toy with her.”

“Trixie would never hurt Twilight Sparkle.”

“You banished her from her home, almost got her killed because you were moping and she was worried, then because she thought she could rely on you she got possessed by the Nightmare and almost destroyed all of Equestria.” He snorted. “And you think you'd never hurt her.”

“That was- almost none of that was Trixie's fault!” Trixie protested.

“And now you think you're good enough to wear that armor?” Shining Armor continued. “You're just lucky I'm not in the Royal Guard anymore or else I'd have you thrown in the stockade and scrubbing the floors for the rest of your life.”

“Trixie is immortal,” Trixie muttered.

“It would be a lot of scrubbing.”

“Shining Armor, have thou come here merely to insult my student?” Luna asked, appearing behind him, cutting off any escape. Dozens of eyes watched him, most of them glowing golden in the dim light. He shivered slightly and turned to face the Princess. She looked calm, but he could tell she was close to screaming with anger.

“It has nothing to do with you. It's a family matter.”

“It has very much to do with me. Thou cannot insult my student, one who has saved all of Equestria from thy own sister, and merely ask me to ignore it. Thou shall apologize.”

“Luna, you know this isn't right. She's just using you. She shouldn't be a guard! She has no leadership ability, no discipline, and no training!”

“My student has all of those things and more.” Luna glared at Shining Armor and lowered her voice. “This is not like thou, Shining Armor. I do not think thou would have been so unkind even a few months ago. What happened?”

“What happened is I don't think she's worthy of being with my sister. Or, for that matter, in the Guard.” Shining Armor stood his ground against the Princess, meeting her gaze.

“She is as worthy as any thou could name to be an officer in the Night Guard. She has earned her position through great deeds and I will not suffer thou to insult her.”

“Then she should prove it. If she's such a good officer, I want to see her actually lead these...” He looked at the assembled group, which now had two griffons, though he could have sworn a moment ago that it only had one. “These people.”

“A challenge?” Luna laughed. “Did thou not hear about the fate of her last challenger? If thou desires such a fate, we shall gladly give you an arena-”

“I don't want to fight her,” Shining Armor interrupted. “I'm not stupid. I know what she is. I said I wanted to see her as a leader. If she's such a good leader, than she should be able to defeat my old guard unit in a challenge of my choosing.”

“Oho?” Luna asked.

Trixie looked between them. “Trixie thinks she should get a say-”

“The Canterlot Field Confidence Course,” Shining Armor said. “It's perfectly safe and designed to test the quality of recruits and their leaders. She will compete against the First Canterlot Heavy Calvary with full combat load. All she has to do is beat their time. As is tradition, no magic or flight will be allowed.”

“Hardly a challenge!” Luna laughed. “What are the stakes?”

“The honor of the Guard units involved.” He looked around. “Say... the loser has their regimental banner taken from them and given to the winner.” He gave Trixie a look. "And she admits that she isn't worthy of my sister if she loses."

“Excellent! I shall make sure my Night Guards have a place for your banner after we win.”

“Then I'll meet her on the field of battle the day after tomorrow before Cadence and I leave.” Shining Armor stepped around Luna and walked out, closing the door after him. It had been even worse than Cadence had predicted. He was going to have to make sure Trixie didn't hurt Twilight, no matter what it took.

***

“You should have asked me before we agreed to it!” Trixie hissed quietly, as she and Luna walked side by side over a long bridge, the rest of her squad trotting behind her. The challenge course was located on the other side of the mountains, in a training field miles outside of Canterlot. After Luna had accepted the challenge, she had ordered them to go and practice.

“I was perhaps somewhat... hasty,” Luna admitted. “I should perhaps warn thou that the legion I have put thou in command of...” She hesitated. “'Tis not the most well-organized legion. And perhaps they collectively come in last in every exercise.”

“So they're the worst. You've put me in charge of the worst ponies in the Guard.” Trixie groaned.

“'Tis an insult to them to say they are the worst! It is simply that many of them were transferred out of other units because of discipline problems. Or conflict with their officers. Or simply because they did not fit in anywhere.” Luna looked troubled. “Thou would not know it from my sister's Day Guard, but once, there was a tradition that any pony, no matter their background, could join the Guard and escape whatever past haunted them as long as they served loyally.”

Trixie glanced back at the pack of misfits following them. Aside from her six officers there were another thirty guardsmen. “Trixie knows what it's like to have something you're running from.”

Luna smiled a little. “'Tis something all of us know of. The truth is, I was hoping thou could learn something from leading this band.”

“Of layabouts, losers, and misfits,” Trixie noted.

“Not so different from thou in some ways,” Luna agreed, though not unkindly. “They all have talents of their own. I believe thou will find a way to win despite the odds. It is what thou are good at, is it not?” Her eyes twinkled.

***

Trixie looked over the confidence course. It was a number of stations set up around the field, a path winding over ditches filled with mud and water and the obstacles that had been created from wood and rope. She and Luna watched with dismay as the Night Guards stumbled through the obstacles.

“Lulamoon, I apologize. Perhaps they are the worst ponies in the Guard.” Luna admitted. Trixie could only nod in agreement. The thirty-six ponies of the legion were doing so badly that for the very first time in her life, Trixie wished that Snips and Snails were there, because they couldn't possibly be this dysfunctional.

One of the first obstacles was a low wall. Most of the guards ran up to the wall, made a token attempt to get over, and on failing, walked around it. Only a few were fit enough to actually get over the wall. At the very least, most of her officers managed to get over it instead of giving up, though it took Lucky Strike ten tries, as the scarred pegasus refused to give up. Durin tried to walk through it, pressing against it stubbornly like it would go away if he just pushed, until somepony nudged him aside and made him walk around it.

The second obstacle, after a run over uneven stone blocks, was a crawl under barbed wire through the mud. It was slow and dirty, though there was little even these soldiers could do to get it wrong. They certainly tried, though, several of them managing to get tangled in the wire. Ingrid had the most trouble, the griffon's larger body making it a tight squeeze. Koloth did his best to keep everypony in order, though his command style of shoving them when they were too slow meant more than a few ended up with deep scratches from the barbed wire.

Unfortunately, that was the high point of the debaucle. The next obstacle was a rope swing over a pit of muddy water. The guards bunched up, all of them waiting for their turn with the rope as they tried to get over, half failing to even get across without falling and most of the rest unable to keep a rhythm going. Durin didn't even bother, just jumping down and walking across, grumbling about slow ponies, the donkey plodding along at his own pace. Lucky Strike had the worst of it, falling into the mud and then having not one, but two ponies manage to land directly on him before he got out of the ditch.

As the ponies trickled out from the other end, they were met with a few logs over a long ditch filled with water. The slick logs were supposed to teach balance, but in practice the logs were damp and slimy from mildew, and most legionaries had to slowly crawl across to avoid another bath. Mandi got across easily, strutting across the slimy log with the sure grip of an insect.

“There's no way we can win,” Trixie said, watching the guards. “It's not just that they're bad. They're so bad that they're making everypony around them worse!”

“And they are thy responsibility,” Luna said. The lunar princess turned to Trixie. “Thou must find a way to win. The honor of the Night Guard demands it!” She bit her lip. “...I will also try to think of something. This will not be an easy victory as I had hoped.”

“Trixie doesn't even have time to train them!” The blue mare paced back and forth.

“Thou shall have to be clever instead,” Luna said, smiling. “I have faith in thine ability, Trixie.”

Trixie wasn't so sure. She was, of course, great and powerful, but even she couldn't work miracles on this scale.

***

The guardsponies had run through the course half a dozen times. Trixie had hoped repetition would help, but instead all that happened was that they got tired, dirty and discouraged by their own failure. Their times had gotten worse and worse and attitudes had flared up until Trixie had been forced to stop Ingrid from tearing a pony apart for bumping into her flank. They'd called it a night there, before anypony got badly hurt.

As Trixie walked back towards Canterlot, she stopped on the long bridge they'd taken to get there, looking down to the river far below. It was halfway down the mountain, so far that it was impossible for her to really judge the distance.

“Trixie is doomed,” she sighed. She shifted her weight, the armor around her sides holding her wings tightly and hiding them from view. It was a better disguise than the bandages, and something she could wear around to court without anypony asking questions.

She had sent the others on ahead while she tried to think of some way they could at least put up a respectable showing instead of the mess they'd made of things. So far her best idea was to pretend to be sick or dead or both and wait for Shining Armor to go away. When she'd been heckled before, Trixie would just pack her things and move on to a new town.

Trixie wasn't just going to be able to leave this time.

“Maybe it's part of whatever lesson Luna thinks she's teaching Trixie,” the mare mumbled, her voice barely audible even to herself with the wind passing over the high bridge.

Unseen to Trixie, rose-colored magic flashed at the railing she was leaning on, cracking the stone and starting to pull. She felt her weight shift and lost her balance, stumbling forwards. The railing broke through, taking the mare with it.

Trixie screamed, her wings trying to push through her armor and failing. The river below rapidly rose up to meet her. She closed her eyes.

Maybe she wasn't going to have to worry about being humiliated after all.

Author's Note

Love can make a person do some crazy things. It can even make them do things they'd look back on with horror, things they'd never do in their right mind. There are so many poisonous things that go along with love. Jealousy. Greed. Hatred. Even an immortal mind isn't invulnerable against love, and the smallest seed can grow into a thorny tangle.

Especially if someone is deliberately twisting your feelings into the wrong shape.

Good thing there's nothing like that going on, or Trixie would be in a lot of trouble.

Black, Turn 2: Black Knight to C6

Scholar's Mate
Black, Turn 2: Black Knight to C6
By MagnetBolt

Trixie knew a lot about rocks, having worked on a rock farm for several seasons, or at least between seasons. She could tell different types of stone apart at a glance, had learned to identify gem-bearing rocks and ore, and found it simple to determine what forces had shaped any given boulder. That knowledge had come with geography lessons, a necessary thing to tell the difference between Griffonian Red Granite and Badland Redstone, one of which could bear sapphires while the other only held quartz.

As an example of this knowledge, part of Trixie's mind could tell that the rock she was looking at was an extremely hard form of shale, a type that was present in much of the mountains around Canterlot. It was found in nearly vertical layers in the steep mountains due to a seismic upthrust millions of years ago, and would shatter under the forces of erosion into sharp, razor-like sheets of thin stone. This rock in particular was eroding quickly due to the force of water on it, letting shale flake away and leaving it well-polished and as sharp as a blade.

Trixie could be relatively sure of these determinations thanks to the fact that she was in Canterlot, and the rock was in a river valley. She was getting a very good look at it, thanks to the fact that she was approaching it at high speed from above.

In other words, she was falling to her death.

Part of her wasn't sure if it could actually kill her, since she was an alicorn. The rest of her told that part to shut up because if the fall didn't kill her, it was going to be extremely unpleasant. Her wings were bound to her sides under her armor, which would soon serve mostly as a way to contain her organs neatly, in the way a can contains soup.

The worst part was that the fall was so long she'd already run out of breath from screaming.

No, actually, as Trixie considered it further, the worst part was that she was falling to her death.

She closed her eyes as the ground approached. There was a sudden jerk of motion. She winced. Was that it? Was she lying broken on the rocks, body so torn that she couldn't even feel the pain yet? She didn't feel like she was dying. Trixie slowly opened an eye. Impossibly, her fall was slowing.

“For a winged creature you're awful at flying!” Trixie blinked at the voice, looking up. Legate Koloth was holding her up, his hooves gripping the straps of his armor as his wings pumped madly.

“Where did you-” Trixie gasped.

“I was keeping an eye on you!” Koloth snapped. “Hang on! I can't fly as well as a pegasus, so this is going to be a rough landing!” The thestral kept moving, straining himself, getting them past the razor-sharp shale plates to a bed of pebbles on the side of the river. He dropped Trixie, letting the alicorn land fall a dozen feet to the rocks. He followed a moment later, wings exhausted and hooves digging into the riverbed.

“That was-” Trixie's heart pounded in her chest. “Trixie's first decree when she becomes a princess will be to have these bridges inspected.”

Koloth looked up at the bridge over their heads. “I've never seen one of these bridges fail like that.” He narrowed his eyes. “I wonder if Luna put you with us to teach you a lesson or just to keep you safe.”

***

Celestia and Cadence sat on the balcony, watching Luna's moon. They'd been quiet for a long time. Celestia took a cup in her magic and a wisp of solar flame caressed it, the tea almost instantly heating to a boil.

“That's a handy trick,” Cadence said.

“One of the few useful things a pony can do with flame,” Celestia noted.

“Most ponies would argue that it's more useful than making ponies fall in love.” Cadence picked up her own cup, Celestia tilting her head to direct a swirl of fire around the teacup, leaving the tea inside steaming.

“From long experience, Cadence, I assure you that the power to destroy only comes with an immortal's lifetime of regrets.” Celestia sipped at her tea, considering her next words. “I haven't always been wise with how I used my power.”

“What do you mean?” Cadence raised an eyebrow at that.

“It was before your time. Things were different back then.” Celestia swirled the tea in her cup. “Luna and I were not the only alicorns, merely the last that remained. It's a long, sad story of how power can corrupt.”

“If you have enough power to let it corrupt you,” Cadence said, sadly. “If I tell you something, will you promise not to speak to anyone about it?”

“Of course, Cadence. As long as you have the same courtesy for some of the things I've admitted to you.”

“I've been having problems. Not with Shining Armor, before you ask. He's been wonderful.” She smiled, a genuine, warm smile that wasn't just for another pony's benefit. It faded as she continued. “Ever since I went to the Crystal Empire I've felt really... detached from everything. Like you've been keeping me away.”

“It's your destiny to watch over the crystal ponies.”

“And is that all I'm good for?!” Cadence snapped, dropping her teacup. It cracked as it hit the ground, tea spilling around her hooves. “I know I'm not as strong as you or Luna or even Twilight, but I'm still an alicorn!”

“Cadence, calm down.”

“I need to know that I'm not just some... tool of prophesy! I don't want to just be used to fulfill some prophesy and then abandoned like...” she trailed off, biting her lip. Celestia stood and stepped over to her, wrapping a wing around her.

“Calm down,” she repeated. “I know you've been through a lot, but you've been able to get a second chance at life, and you have a wonderful stallion at your side and friends waiting to help you.” Celestia hugged her for a few long moments, nuzzling her neck like the mother Cadence barely remembered, then let her go when the young alicorn had calmed.

"I hate the idea that I'm only useful because of something a pony wrote a thousand years ago,” she whispered. “You wouldn't let me fight Tirek or help when you knew Luna was coming back, and you kept me away from Canterlot when Discord woke up.”

“It had to be done,” Celestia replied, sadness creeping into her voice again. “I had seen the signs. I knew it was Twilight's duty to redeem Luna, and that Tirek would not be beaten with alicorn magic. I had thought that Discord was the key to stopping him, but the true shape of the prophesy took me by surprise, as they often do.”

“Who cares about... destiny and prophesy?” Cadence asked.

“We must. Alicorns are creatures of prophesy. It's written into our bones. Almost literally, I think. There are no creatures in Equestria more bound to the wheel of fate, despite our power. In the past we fought and struggled against it. It created a time of troubles far worse than anything seen before or since.”

“Worse than Discord?”

“Worse than Discord, Tirek, or Nightmare Moon.” Celestia turned and pointed. “Look there. You see that train?” Cadence could see the lights of a train running along the mountain tracks. “The train tracks are like the weave of fate. Cutie marks are like tickets to that train, telling ponies where they're going.”

“What about ponies without cutie marks?” Cadence asked. “They just... don't have anywhere to go?”

“No, no.” Celestia smiled. “It means they can go anywhere. Ponies aren't born with cutie marks, and that's a wonderful gift. They get to decide for themselves where their fate will take them. It would be a sad world if ponies were born already lashed to fate's yoke.”

“I suppose so.”

“And a pony doesn't always have to listen to their cutie mark. More than a few fight against fate and get off at a different stop, or even jump from the train entirely. Some get hurt, more get lost, but others find something more wonderful than the destiny that was waiting for them.”

“But you said alicorns were more closely tied to fate. So what, we're like conductors, going where it travels?”

“No. We're the train. Far more powerful than any mortal pony, and bound to follow the tracks forever. If we fight and try to escape, disaster follows, claiming all the lives bound in our wake.” Celestia hesitated. “Cadence, have you ever heard the Prophesy of the Six?”

“No,” Cadence frowned. “What is it?”

Above them, lurking in the shadows, a dark form with glowing blue eyes watched the alicorns discuss something in hushed tones.

***

Trixie tossed and turned, trying to sleep. Falling off a bridge had shaken her too badly to get rest. In the brief moment she had managed to actually sleep, she'd found herself back on a rock farm, but one from Tartarus, trying to push a boulder up a steep hill. Every time she neared the top somepony would be there to give it a gentle shove, and it would tumble back down, undoing her work. The pony at the top kept changing, Celestia one moment, Twilight the next, Shining Armor giving it a big shove when it became his turn.

She got out of bed and sighed. If she wasn't going to be able to get rest, a walk would at least give her something to look at beside the walls of her guest room, the empty remnants of Twilight's old palace room. Trixie picked up her guard armor, considered for a moment, then put it to the side, hiding her wings under her star-covered cloak instead. She didn't relish not having her wings free, even if she'd barely had any time to learn to use them.

The castle was quiet at night. Luna's night guard roamed the halls in shadows and silence, not bothering to light the way with lanterns, their cloaks muffling the sounds of their armor. They saluted as they passed Trixie. It was one more odd thing in a long list of odd things that she'd have to get used to.

“What troubles my Palatine so at this hour?” Luna asked, stepping out of the shadows. Trixie frowned and glanced behind her.

“How did you do that? There isn't enough space... And there was no flash of light for teleporting.” Trixie bit her lip.

“Ah, my sister told me about how Twilight would sometimes get so distracted by a minor puzzle that she would forget what she was actually doing. Is that something thou also share?” Luna giggled. Trixie blushed. “Do not worry. I promise not to tell her, even if it is quite cute to watch.”

“Sorry. I'm just tired,” Trixie said, looking away.

“'Twas an older spell much favored by the Night Guard, though we rarely have unicorns with enough skill to cast it, especially in these days.”

“In these days?”

Luna inclined her head. “Thou must have noticed that most of the Night Guard are thestrals. This is not entirely because of their adaptations to the darkness. They have long been my favored race of ponies, if only because they appreciated the night when few others did.”

“But... the princesses aren't supposed to have favorites.” Trixie frowned.

“That is true. But as thou know, alicorns are still ponies. We still love and hate, and even have favorites. 'Tis no accident that much of the nobility is unicorn.”

“Princess Celestia is-”

“Is a pony who has a skill for helping teach others magic. I have always been a stronger flier than she. Her lack of athletic prowess is why I have a much smaller flank than her.” Luna turned, wiggling her hips. “Thou see? Tis the flank of an accomplished athlete! Her plot rests upon a cushion built over a thousand thousand cakes. Thou thinks my flank is much nicer, yes, Palatine?”

“T-Trixie does not wish to play favorites,” Trixie said, blushing furiously.

“Hah! I knew that would break you out of your dark mood!” Luna stuck her tongue out at Trixie. “Thou worries too much. My sister is no tribalist. She has merely had many unicorn students over the years, as that is what she is best at teaching. Ponies look to them for guidance, and over the course of generations they became a new layer of nobility despite her attempts to keep the ponies equal. She is hoping if I take on some pegasus students that they will be similarly favored.”

“I see...”

“Because the unicorns are seen as her favorites, they almost always join the Day Guard. I rarely have an opportunity to teach my spells to another, though Babbidi is making an effort.”

“Trixie was surprised you let her join.”

“She was corrupted by the Nightmare. 'Tis something I know too much about, and I blame myself for what happened to her. She is a fine unicorn with skills any should be jealous of. Though perhaps the Night Guard is where she was always destined to go. Did thou know she cannot go out in the sun?”

“She's a... vampony?!” Trixie gasped.

“Nay!” Luna laughed loudly. “She has a skin condition that causes her to blister from sunlight.” She leaned in close. “And vamponies go in my super-secret team of monster hunters.”

“Wait, vamponies are real?”

“Thou are the one who suggested they were a moment ago!” Luna smirked. “Now come. I will teach thee my shadow walking. Thou already have a grip on how teleportation spells function from what I saw in thine duel; this is a far safer spell when moving somewhere unknown.”

“Trixie wasn't going to be able to sleep anyway.” She smiled up at Luna, feeling a weight lift from her as the princess started explaining how to put the spell together.

***

It was so early in the morning that Celestia was still waking up and the sun had yet to peek over the horizon. The golden-armored guards were assembled on the field of battle in orderly lines, and their opposite number waited in their dark armor, milling around in a scattered crowd.

Trixie looked back over her assembled troops. “...Where's the changeling?” She frowned.

“Who knows?” Koloth shrugged. “Perhaps he's joined the Day Guard so he can be on the winning team. That damn insect is always where he isn't supposed to be.”

“What's wrong, you can't even keep your soldiers in order?” Shining Armor asked, displeased.

Trixie yawned. “Trixie thinks standing in a line where everypony can see him is among the least important skills a soldier can learn. Trixie seems to recall standing around in lines was exactly what the Day Guard did during the invasion of the changelings. She also recalls that despite being on guard and alerted to a threat, they were overwhelmed in a matter of minutes.”

“And the Night Guard-”

“Was following your orders to stand down,” Koloth growled. “Of course, you were being mind controlled at the time by your wife.”

“She wasn't my wife!”

“I apologize,” Koloth said, tilting his head. “Your fiancee.”

Shining Armor took a step forwards. Before he could do more than that, a polite cough stopped him. Celestia, Luna, and Cadence were watching them.

“I hope you don't plan to start a brawl,” Celestia said. “If so, you hardly need judges.”

“No, Ma'am.” Shining Armor stood at attention. “I was merely defending my wife's honor. He shouldn't compare her to the changeling queen.”

“Why not?” Koloth asked. “It's not like you could tell the difference between them.”

Luna snorted with laughter and tried to contain it after a harsh look from her sister. Cadence turned red and suppressed her own giggle.

“Well Shiny is a little slow on the uptake sometimes,” Cadence said, waving a hoof. “And I'm still a bit upset at him that he couldn't tell us apart, too. So he deserves to be reminded of it sometimes. Oh don't make that face, sweetie! Do a good job and I'll give you a special reward later.” She giggled.

Shining Armor turned bright red and went back to his troops.

“At least he remembered that they were the ones in golden armor,” Koloth noted, quietly enough that only Trixie could hear him.

“You really don't like him much, do you?” Trixie asked, equally as quiet.

“He has not shown the proper respect due to us,” Koloth said. “We may be a rabble, but we are all soldiers. Luna knows our checkered pasts better than anyone, but gives us a fresh start. By treating us like less than soldiers, he does not respect the second chance that the Princess has given us. Most of us can take pride in little else.”

“Trixie understands what that's like.” She put a hoof on Koloth's shoulder. “Maybe that's what princesses are good at.”

“Perhaps. But for now, we have a battle to win. Let us see how the enemy handles himself.” Koloth frowned. “We might learn how to avoid embarrassing ourselves.”

***

“By Luna's black flank, we have no chance in Tartarus,” Koloth said, watching the Royal Guard as they went around the course.

The Day Guard was acting as a single unit, with the kind of coordination typically seen in high-precision industrial machinery. At each obstacle on the course they turned from a group of ponies marching in formation into a greater whole. The low wall, for example, which had posed a huge obstacle that few of the Night Guard were able to conquer, turned into a mere speedbump. The first ponies to reach the wall knelt at the base, allowing the next to use them as steps to reach the top, where they remained to give the rest of the ponies a hoof up. It barely slowed them down.

“We should have known they'd be good at it,” Trixie said. “They suggested it. We knew we'd be at a disadvantage.”

“Palatine, you saw how good we were,” Koloth said. “And by that I mean you saw in great detail that the word good should never be used in any context with our performance.”

The next obstacle was even less of a challenge. As they got into the trenches, the soldiers moved in almost perfect synchronization, staying in a constantly moving line instead of bunching up as Trixie's often did. She saw clearly now how even one pony slowing down or stopping caused a rippled effect that jammed up the traffic for everypony else behind him, only getting worse as it cascaded to the end of the line.

“We can't give up.” Trixie sighed. “Trixie just has no idea how to actually win...”

“Really? It seems obvious to me.” Discord leaned in between Trixie and Koloth, holding opera glasses and watching the Day Guard. “You just have to cheat. It's the easiest thing in the world.”

“Trixie isn't going to cheat!” Trixie looked appalled at the suggestion.

“What?!” Discord dropped the opera glasses, the fragile glasses shattering and melting into chocolate milk. “I had such high hopes for you. I thought you were a bit more laid-back than the rest of the alicorns, and it pains me to see you brought down to their level.” He produced a hoofkerchief and wiped a tear from his eye.

The soldiers got to the swinging ropes and, thanks to Shining Armor standing on the side and helping them keep time with a cadence. Not his wife, of course (as while she might be open to sharing he was absolutely not) but the kind of simple song soldiers used to keep in time with each other. They got into a rhythm on the ropes and swung regularly to the other side like pendulums, the pattern making sure they didn't bump into each other and knew when the others would move.

“I admit, from the stories I have heard, I expected you to cheat as well, Palatine.” Koloth raised an eyebrow.

“Trixie has to beat him at his own game.” She turned to face Koloth and Discord. “The point of this isn't just to beat his time, it's to show that we can be disciplined and... soldier-ish.” She waved a hoof, stumbling over the non-word. “The point is, Trixie has to follow the rules. This is a competition, not a battle.”

“Hm.” Discord rubbed his chin. His eyes narrowed as he watched the first few Day Guards get across the balance beams that marked the end of the course. “You're right, of course. This isn't a battle at all. It's hardly worthy of your skills.”

“Trixie isn't going to fight him,” Trixie said, glaring at Discord. “If we're going to lose, Trixie would prefer to do it with dignity.”

“Fifteen minutes and thirty seconds,” Princess Celestia called out. “I believe that is a new course record.” She looked at Trixie. “Are your troops ready?”

“Hold on, hold on!” Discord yelled, stepping forward. “This won't do at all. I think we need to make this a lot more entertaining for everypony.” He coughed.

“Oh no,” Celestia said, her wings flaring out in alarm. “Discord-”

He snapped his talon before she could stop him, the world dissolving in bright light.

***

As the flash of white light faded, everything went dark. Sound rushed in around the assembled Night Guards, the crash of steel on steel and screams of ponies. The scent of coppery blood filled the suddenly ice-cold air.

“We're not in Canterlot anymore,” Trixie whispered, looking around. The sky was pitch black. They stood in a courtyard, a city burning around them, smoke rising into the sky in pillars of flame. Koloth grunted as he picked something up from the ground, a long pole topped with a torn and bloodied banner. The crumpled shape lying in the shadows had once been its bearer.

“Unfortunately, I believe I know where we are,” Koloth said, growling. He planted the pole in the dirt, letting the banner twist in the wind. It showed a moon surrounded by wings and surmounted with a silver crown.

“That is the symbol of the Lunar Rebellion, aff?” Ingrid asked, her accent coming on strong.

Koloth nodded. “Yes. No one has raised this banner in a thousand years. Not since Nightmare Moon tore Equestria apart in a bid for power.”

“It was a very interesting time, wasn't it?” Discord asked, appearing behind the assembled group. “You know, back then the seal was still fresh, and I still very nearly escaped with all the chaos around me. Ah well, good times.” He laughed.

“This is a pathetic illusion,” Trixie declared, boldly, stepping past her troops to face the chaos spirit. “As a princess of Equestria, Trixie demands you put us back in our proper time and place!”

“You're not a princess, and besides...” Discord said, with a smile. “You can't leave until you've completed your challenge!”

“And why is that?” Trixie asked. “Because it's more amusing this way?”

“Well, that would be part of it,” Discord admitted. “But I'm afraid it's out of my claws now. You'll pop back to the present in, oh, about twenty minutes.”

“Then Trixie will just wait here,” Trixie said, putting her rump down stubbornly. “Trixie refuses to play your little games.”

“Oh really?” A claw grabbed her chin, twisting her head to look into the distance, to the castle appearing as the smoke cleared with a wave of Discord's talon. “Behold, the Castle of the Twin Pony Sisters. Right now, it's the capital of Equestria. Canterlot hasn't even been built yet.”

“This is the Final Night, isn't it?” Babbidi asked.

“Oh, someone has been reading their history books! Or maybe you just remember a bit from having the Nightmare Entity running around in your head. Either way, full marks. This is the night my dear little Tia put her sister under lunar house arrest for a thousand years. And you, my precious little ponies, have a part to play in it!”

“No we don't,” Koloth said. “All of the Night Guard that attacked Everfree City were killed when Celestia took to the field.”

“Close. Nearly all of them were killed. There was one unit that managed to breach the walls and get into the castle.”

“The Third Lunar Assault Force,” Koloth said. “Which we are not.”

“No, unfortunately, these ponies are. Or rather were.” Discord gestured around them, to the bodies lying in the shadows. “They were wiped out in an ambush before you arrived. But the good news is, that means you get to take their place!”

“Absolutely not,” Lucky Strike snorted. “We should just make like trees and leave.”

“You'll never get away in time,” Discord noted. He pulled out a pocketwatch. “Hm. According to this clock – and it's very accurate – you have about fifteen minutes and thirty seconds to get inside the castle. Why, what a coincidence! That's how long it took Shining Ninny to get his men around your little obstacle course! I'd try to beat his time, if I was you.”

“What happens if we don't?” Trixie asked, standing slowly.

“Well then you'll get a nasty case of sunburn,” Discord said. Sunglasses appeared on Trixie's face. He vanished before she managed to remove them. Trixie looked up at the castle, then at her troops. Not much of a choice.

“Get moving!” She yelled.

“Ingrid, take point!” Koloth added. “Everyone else fall in formation around the Palatine!” He glanced at Trixie. “You're our artillery and trump card. If we run into trouble, you need to strike it down like your life depends on it.”

“I can't just kill somepony!” Trixie said, paling.

“In fifteen minutes they will be cinders in Celestia's flames, neg?” Ingrid asked, before taking wing and scouting ahead.

“They're looking to you to lead them,” Koloth whispered, stepping closer. “I hate dancing on his strings, but they need a strong leader.”

Trixie nodded, taking a deep breath and letting her carefully-built stage presence and confidence wash over her like a mask. “Everypony! We need to move quickly! Make for the castle and if somepony gets hurt or trapped, help them! That's an order!”

“Yes, Palatine!”

Trixie felt herself blush as the soldiers saluted. She quickly suppressed it and pointed with a hoof. “Stop saluting and run! Trixie commands you!” Koloth gave Trixie a terse nod as the ponies started moving. Nothing could stop them now.

***

Something had stopped them now.

A wall stretched out in front of them, as far as they could see in both directions. It was almost exactly as tall as the wall on the confidence course. Suspiciously so.

“We don't have time to play by the rules,” Koloth said, his wings flaring out. “Everypony who can fly, grab someone who can't and-”

“Get out of the way!” Trixie yelled. Koloth saw a glow and felt something prickling at his coat like static electricity. He threw himself aside as Trixie charged forwards, horn glowing. Her hooves kicked up sparks with every step. The air around her shimmered with a sudden heat, and a bolt of blinding magical force slammed into the wall.

Koloth ducked as shrapnel from the blast rained down around them. He coughed in the storm of dust and shattered brick. Trixie's harsh glow died down slightly, but sparks still flickered around her, outlining her form in ghostly blue flames.

“Get moving!” Trixie yelled. “You heard everypony! We don't want to be here for sunrise!” The night guards got to their hooves and started moving again. Koloth paused to look at the wall. Trixie had blown enough of it apart to let an army through.

“Well, that's one way to do it,” Koloth muttered.

“Come on, don't just stand around!” Lucky Strike pushed him. Just as he did, a javelin sliced through the air he'd been standing in, catching Lucky in the armor. The pegasus winced as it dug in, reaching around to grab it with his teeth and breaking the shaft, leaving the barbed head in. “Crap. A bulls-eye is such a stupid cutie mark.”

“Idiot. Learn to use cover,” Durin said, plodding along, suddenly beside him. Lucky frowned.

“I'm not the cover!” He yelled, after he realized what the donkey was doing.

***

Ahead, Trixie skidded to a stop as a burst of rapid-fire magical bolts reached towards her. A barrier of swirling red and blue energy flashed before her, deflecting the bolts before fizzling out. Babbidi panted with effort, her horn glowing with clashing colors of magical energy.

“Not bad, right? Even like this I'm stronger than the average unicorn!” Babbidi winced as the magic on her horn fizzled, sparking and leaving a discolored mark on the ivory.

“We need cover!” Ingrid said, diving down as javelins and bolts of lighting lanced towards her, the deadly projectiles barely missing her. She landed behind Lucky Strike.

“Oh for Luna's sake- I'm not the damn cover!” Lucky yelled.

“At least not cover enough for all of us.” Babbidi agreed.

“I don't think it's going to be a problem,” Koloth growled. He pointed. Ahead of them, trenches had been dug in the mud, giving just barely enough cover to avoid being killed if they crawled. “We should have expected this.”

“Trixie is going to turn Discord into a statue and have a sculptor remove his favorite parts with a chisel!” she snarled. “Everypony into the trench! Keep low and move quickly!” The ponies ducked as another wave of magical bolts streaked overhead.

“We'll never make it in time,” Babbidi said. “Trixie, cover me.” She started drawing in the mud. Trixie deflected a bolt that would have hit her, a circle of force appearing in the air and bouncing it back where it came from, the bunker at the far end of the field erupting with eldritch purple and green flames.

“Make it fast,” Koloth said. “I think our great and powerful leader's lightshow has made everypony in the city decide to come and take a look.” Indeed, the commotion was growing, the sound of steel and screaming going from a distant background drone to a more immediate soundtrack.

Trixie deflected a second magic attack into the air where it detonated with a pulse of orange flame. Babbidi reared up and slammed her hooves down into the diagram she'd drawn on the ground. It flared with the color of her magic, and the earth shook, a trench forming in the ground. It was deep enough to run through and wide enough that they wouldn't get bunched up.

“There. Just needed a little earth pony style magic.” She panted and rubbed her brow. She was trying to pass it off as nothing, but it had obviously been draining. “No harder than a cloud-walking spell, really.”

“Good work,” Trixie said, smiling at her. “Everypony! Double time!” She turned to Koloth and whispered. “That's the right term, isn't it?”

***

“The wall, that I expected. It's a castle, after all. The trench was at least plausible. But this is ridiculous!” Lucky Strike kicked a rock with a hoof. It went flying into a yawning pit of flames which had erupted from the ground like some kind of volcanic fissure. Over it, a series of chains dangled enticingly.

“At this point, Trixie isn't sure if Discord is just a lot less clever than he thinks,” she said. “We will just fly over.”

At that moment, a roaring downdraft formed around them.

“That's going to be difficult,” Lucky Strike said. “And I don't mean that just because one of my wings is back in Cloudsdale.”

“How convenient. An impossible downdraft into flames. Of course there's no thermals or anything over fire.” Koloth snorted.

“Clearly Discord is annoyed we aren't playing by his rules,” Trixie said. “He hasn't learned Trixie doesn't take orders.”

“That's not what you said before,” Koloth noted, giving her a chuckle. “As I recall you were the one who told him we needed to follow the rules.”

“This isn't about honor or pride now. Trixie has to get all of you out of here alive.” She took a deep breath. “Trixie will go first to make sure it's safe.” She walked to the edge of the pit and looked down, swallowing nervously. She could see lava down there.

“Neg. I will go first.” Ingrid gently pushed Trixie back with a talon. “I am on point, aff? And I am the strongest flier.”

“And the heaviest,” Lucky put in.

“Don't be a jackass,” Babbidi said, quietly.

“That's racist!” Durin yelled.

“I am going!” Ingrid barked, interrupting the forming argument. The griffoness grabbed the first chain and swung gracefully, easily getting to the next in line. The scaffolding they were attached to creaked, but didn't buckle.

“Safe enough,” Koloth declared. “Get moving! If you slip and fall, you will die.”

“That's a bit blunt,” Trixie muttered, as the soldiers lined up.

“It's honest,” Koloth said. “And I don't think words will intimidate them quite as much as a pit leading halfway to Tartarus.”

Ingrid made it to the other side alive. She waved a talon to the other troops. They started across, hesitantly. This close to magma, the chains should have been red-hot. Instead they were cool to the touch. Trixie watched as a few of the bravest soldiers made it to the other side.

There was another group halfway across when the earth shook. Trixie felt her mane stand on end, ambient thaumaturgic energy suddenly increasing tenfold, like static electricity before a thunderstorm.

“What is that?!” Babbidi asked, feeling it herself.

“Something with a lot of magical power,” Trixie replied. She looked down into the pit, wary.

“Not down there. Up in the sky.” Koloth tapped her on the shoulder and pointed. Trixie's eyes went wide. Far above them, two stars swirled around each other. One was a bright harsh white, like looking into the sun. The other was an almost ultraviolet purple. Both were glorious and terrible, even at this distance.

“Celestia and Nightmare Moon,” Trixie said, taking a step back. Bolts of energy struck between them, the agile sparks dancing away from the beams of death. One struck the castle ahead of them, a buttress collapsing into rubble. The ground shook, the air almost rippling with the overpressure from the blast even at this distance. A wash of static fell over Trixie, the magical power of the bolts so high even an earth pony would sense it.

“No wonder the Everfree is still contaminated with magic!” Babbidi gasped. “I had no idea an alicorn had this much power!”

“They're so much stronger than I thought...” Trixie whispered. She shook it off after a moment. This was entirely the wrong time to feel jealous of somepony else's power. “Babbidi, can you make a bridge or something across this gap?”

“It would take too long without a focus,” Babbidi groaned. “It's faster than building a normal bridge, but it'd still take almost an hour of work. I can't just make the rock get up and move!”

“We don't have time to waste with everypony swinging across.” Trixie grabbed a soldier with her magic and flung him to the other side. “Trixie will throw, you catch!”

“Wait, I'm not ready!” Babbidi barely had time to slow the soldier's fall before he landed heavily in the mud, confused and terrified.

“Just thirty more!” Trixie said, grinning. She picked up three more, the soldiers yelping as they were tossed like toys. Toys with feelings, which could experience pain and were being flung by magic from an alicorn who possibly did not have the best grip on her own powers. Across a giant chasm filled with lava. Surely nothing could go wrong.

“Not so many at once!” Babbidi winced with effort, her horn sparking.

“You can manage it,” Trixie said. “Trixie knows you are possibly the strongest unicorn in Equestria.”

“So humble for someone who is probably about to follow that statement with 'Because Trixie is an alicorn, and so is Twilight Sparkle.'” Babbidi groaned.

“Even so, Trixie means it.” Trixie turned to look at her. She put a hoof on Babbidi's shoulder and gave her a confident smirk. Babbidi blushed and turned away.

“Just don't go too fast. If they end up getting hurt from you throwing them, it's your fault.” The sky suddenly lit up with a flash, the bright star falling from the heavens and slamming into a distant wing of the castle with the force of a comet.

“Do you think that was supposed to happen?” Lucky asked. “I mean, we didn't accidentally change the past so Nightmare Moon won, right?”

“Well if we did, we're in the right bucking uniforms for it!” Trixie yelled, throwing Lucky to the other side of the chasm. Babbidi squeaked with surprise and lost her grip on him at the last minute. Ingrid caught him in her talons, the two guards sharing a look.

“Flirt on your own time!” Koloth snapped. Ingrid dropped him like a sack of potatoes, her feathers ruffling as she backed away.

Babbidi took a deep breath. “I'm ready this time. Go ahead, Palatine.”

Trixie nodded and started throwing guards across, one at a time. Even like this, it was faster and safer than using the chains. They established a rhythm and everyone was quickly across except for Trixie and Babbidi themselves.

“Can you catch yourself?” Trixie asked. Babbidi hesitated.

“Sort of. I'll be fine.” Before she could think twice, Trixie threw her. The unicorn fired a burst of magic at the stone on the far side. When she landed, the stone distorted for a moment, her hooves sinking into it like she'd fallen on a mattress.

“Wait, how are you going to get yourself across?!” Babbidi demanded, as she recovered.

“Luna taught Trixie a few things.” She ran into a dark corner, sliding through the shadows there and out of a dim alcove next to Babbidi. “Trixie will have to thank her later.”

“The drawbridge should be just ahead,” Koloth said. “We're almost to safety.”

“Almost might not be enough. That took far too long,” Babbidi said. The unicorn was starting to look worn-out. She clearly wasn't built for this kind of thing.

Trixie wasn't either. But she still felt fresh, like she could do it a hundred times more and not even get winded. It was an odd feeling. Babbidi seemed to have caught some look in her eyes, because she snorted and looked away.

“Don't feel sorry for me just because I don't have freakish alicorn super-strength and endurance. If you were still a unicorn you'd be in worse shape than I am.”

“Actually, Trixie worked at a rock farm for quite a while,” Trixie noted. “Trixie was in excellent physical shape even before her transformation.”

“Lucky you,” Babbidi sighed.

“Our little witch is right,” Koloth said. “That took almost all of our remaining time. It will be a miracle if we can get across the drawbridge before we burn.” They ran through a wall of smoke from burning debris and were confronted with the final obstacle.

“I don't know what else I was expecting,” Trixie said, as the drawbridge came into sight. Mysteriously and conveniently, the crossbeams had been destroyed, the structure crumbling until only a few long beams bridged the gap leading into the castle.

“If we somehow get out of this alive I'll never take my training for granted again,” Lucky said, a hoof over his heart.

“Stop yappin' and keep goin'!” Durin stepped onto one of the long beams, starting the walk across. The donkey looked down at the broken rubble below them, not even slowing as light gleamed from a field of spikes and sharp edges.

“Form up!” Koloth yelled. “Flying over the gap will probably work just as poorly as last time, so keep your hooves on the ground!”

“We'll never make it in time,” Babbidi whispered.

“Don't say that,” Trixie said, her eyes watching the sky. The clouds were lit from below, a kaleidoscope of light rising from the castle. “I can just throw everyone across again.”

“I can't catch them,” Babbidi groaned. “I'm one spell away from passing out on my feet.”

“This is the end,” Koloth said, whispering and watching the spectacle above. “The end of the Darkest Hour. It's...”

“Terrible,” Babbidi suggested.

“Powerful,” Lucky put in.

“Beautiful,” Ingrid said, quietly.

“All of those, and more,” Koloth said. “It is not something a mortal can witness and live.” A beam of prismatic light lanced across the sky, transfixing the dark star above them. The clouds vanished as a shockwave exploded through the air, rending the vapor apart. Thunder pressed down around the Night Guards, the very stone protesting with the force of the magic.

The moon shone for a moment, a rainbow shimmering in a circle around it. Then the blank white face of the orb changed, craters and shadows appearing. The Mare in the Moon was fixed on its surface, just as it had been in their childhoods.

“Oh my. It looks like you're just about out of time,” Discord said, appearing in a flash and pulling out a pocketwatch. He presented it to Trixie, the hands just pointing to the word 'Sunrise'. “You know, I really expected more of you. I even let you cheat a little bit because it would be more fun.”

“Get us out of here!” Trixie demanded, throwing the watch down.

“I wish I could. I truly do.” Discord smirked. “But I can't! You haven't gotten into the castle yet. If I just poofed you away, I'd be messing with the timeline. Dear Tia made me promise not to cause any damage to time and space this week. I hope she lightens up in time for the sequel.”

“What are you- You already messed up time and space! We aren't supposed to be here!” Trixie snapped.

“No, you're supposed to be in that castle.” Discord frowned. “Hm. I hope I didn't forget something... Oh well. It's not safe to be outdoors right now. Tia just banished her sister to the moon and she's a little emotionally unstable.” He leaned down to whisper in Trixie's ear. “And let me tell you, she can make Twilight Sparkle look positively stable even when she isn't having her feelings twisted around with magic.”

“What?” Trixie asked, confused. Discord stood up.

“Don't give me that look. You'd be upset if you banished your sister to the moon!”

“Trixie doesn't have a sister! And what do you mean about magic?!”

“Maybe I'll explain later. Or maybe not! But the sundial is ticking.” A sundial appeared between them, shadows growing on its surface as the sky started to light up with the rising sun. Trixie looked up. Not the sun. Celestia. The bright star was descending and even from this distance Trixie could feel the heat of her flames.

Trixie looked at the soldiers scrambling to try and get to safety, and the flaring solar princess coming towards them.

“Koloth, get everyone inside. Trixie is going to buy us some time.” She swallowed.

“And how do you intend to do that?”

“Trixie is going to do something really stupid,” Trixie said, lightly.

“Ah, good. That's the Night Guard's oldest tradition.” Koloth smirked and slapped her on the shoulder. “Try to die with honor, if an immortal can manage it.”

Trixie snorted. “Trixie was hoping to live forever instead, so don't be too slow. Trixie will only be stupid enough to get you a few extra seconds.” Koloth turned back to the troops scrambling to get over the broken beams of the bridge, screaming for them to move. Trixie was certain the insults regarding their parentage were mostly unwarranted.

Trixie squinted as she tried to focus on Celestia. The star burst with a flash, revealing Celestia's glowing form. Thunder and a wash of hot wind followed the light's wake a moment later. Even at this distance, Trixie could read the body language. She was furious beyond any words.

“THIS WAR IS OVER!” She shouted, in a booming voice. It turned out she wasn't actually furious beyond words. They merely had to be extremely loud words screamed in the Royal Canterlot Voice. Light started gathering on her horn, and the world erupted into flame.

Golden solar fire cascaded in a cone miles long, blasting through the city and forests around it, Celestia not bothering to distinguish friend from foe in her anguish.

Magical bolts flew through the air at her, vanishing as they neared her body like the spells simply evaporated. Trixie's eyes went wide. She could just imagine Twilight standing there, explaining what she was seeing.

“Celestia's incredible thaumaturgic overpressure is simply too much for the bolts to match. Trying to hit her with a spell right now is like throwing a cup of water at the ocean and trying to get a fish wet. She's surrounded by so much of her own magical energy that her aura has more power in it than the average unicorn's attack spell. Here, I can make a list and a few diagrams to explain..”

Trixie shook her head. She didn't have time to think about Twilight making lists, even if, in her imagination, the young princess was wearing some very interesting lace. The simple truth is that it would take ten Starswirls to get enough power to do more than get Celestia angry. It was obvious, though, that it took considerably less than that to get her attention. The cone of divine fire turned to wash over the part of the city the bolts had struck from, half of the city turning into ash and scattering on the hot wind.

“It's a good thing the Great and Powerful Trixie is as strong as twenty Starswirls!” She declared to herself. She ran forwards into the dark shadows thrown by the solar flare and stepped through them to the top of a guard tower just barely in her reach, closer to Celestia. It was like suddenly appearing in an oven. She was close enough to make out Celestia's expression of anguish, though any tears that would have streaked down her face evaporated instantly into steam.

Trixie braced herself. There wasn't time to do anything except something really, really stupid. She felt her earth pony magic anchoring her to the ground as she focused all of her magic into one spell. Celestia seemed to notice the blue light of her magic an instant before Trixie unleashed it, the solar princess' eyes going wide with shock.

Unlike the bolts from the unicorns in the city, Trixie's bolt weathered the storm of Celestia's magic easily. She had intended to just fire a warning shot to distract her, but the bolt turned slightly under the force of Celestia's aura and struck the solar princess in the face.

With enough force to kill several normal ponies.

Trixie winced. Her idea had gone from merely bad to the worst possible thing, and she didn't even have a fainting couch to pass out on.

The cone of solar flame flickered and died. Celestia reached up and touched her face, blood streaming from a wound above one eye. She looked at Trixie. A timeless moment passed as their gazes met.

Then Celestia's eyes started glowing with impossible brilliance, and the blood on her face started to boil. Trixie paled and teleported away as a solar flare annihilated the tower she had been standing on, the stone itself sublimating in the intense heat. She ran across the shuddering boards that had been the drawbridge, fear lending her speed her hooves would never otherwise match.

Koloth was at the door, holding it open. Trixie felt her tail burst into flames from the radiant heat and screamed in panic as she grabbed his hoof, the thestral pulling her inside. Trixie had just a moment to see that everypony had gotten inside before the light from the doorway and windows bloomed with blinding brilliance, and she was blinded.

***

Instead of searing pain, Trixie felt a cool breeze. She cautiously opened an eye. They were back on the practice field outside of Canterlot. She heard clapping. Koloth and the others were scattered around the field, most of them looking like they'd been dropped from a few feet up.

“Bravo! You managed to get into the castle alive! That was wonderful, really.” Discord smirked, clapping happily. “It was much more entertaining than just some dull little romp through the mud. You didn't quite beat his time, but you managed to survive, so we'll call it a draw, I think.”

“Trixie is going to turn you into the one thing you aren't yet!” Trixie snarled, gritting her teeth. “Trixie is going to turn you inside out!”

“Now that hardly seems fair,” Discord said. “Here I was, just trying to help, and you're upset for no reason at all.”

“You created an illusion that we were sent back in time!” Trixie snapped. “That did not help Trixie!”

“Oh, it was hardly an illusion.” Discord appeared behind her, gently touching her somewhat shorter, blackened tail. “You might say that was the tail end of the little tiff of the pony sisters. In your case the tail end is abridged and scorched enough to be accurate.”

“It was obviously an illusion,” Trixie said, putting her nose in the air and spinning to face Discord, yanking her tail out of his talons. “Otherwise it would have changed the present. Trixie has taken classes in intermediate temporal mechanics and paradoxes. And you said Princess Celestia made you promise not to harm space and time.”

“Discord, what did you do?” Celestia asked, sounding tired and frustrated, as she landed next to the assembled ponies.”I told you this was a matter between Shining Armor and Trixie, and you weren't to interfere.”

“I didn't have a choice!” Discord protested. “It was one of those prophesy things you alicorns are so obsessed with. Personally, I never saw the attraction. Seeing the future means you never get to be surprised, and surprises are such fun!”

“Trixie doubts there was a prophesy about Trixie being thrown back in time and firing beams of magic into Princess Celestia's face.” Trixie frowned.

Celestia, unfortunately, paled. “You did... what?”

“Trixie and the others were trapped in some kind of illusion,” Trixie explained. “It was the end of the Lunar Rebellion and Trixie had to buy time for her ponies to escape so she, um, shot you in the face with magic.” She blushed. “But obviously it didn't really happen, since it didn't change the present!”

“Of course it didn't change the present,” Discord snorted. “That implies it wasn't what already happened.” He appeared next to Celestia and moved a lock of her hair that draped over her face. There, above her eye, was an old scar. “I did promise not to harm the timeline. That meant I had to send you back in time! Otherwise you'd never have done what you were always meant to do.”

“That's-” Trixie's eyes went wide.

“I never found out just what pony was powerful enough to do this. I suppose it explains a few things.” Celestia sighed.

“And I thought you said you'd taken the class on paradoxes,” Discord sighed. “This is a classic predestination paradox. You were always meant to go back.” Discord rubbed his claws together. “In fact, if you didn't, it would unravel time! I just saved Equestria!” Confetti rained from the sky, and hats appeared on everypony present.

“Trixie hates time travel,” Trixie muttered.

Celestia carefully removed her hat. “Trixie...”

“No,” Trixie said, taking a deep breath. “Princess, I'm sorry.” She knelt down in the mud. “Trixie- I made some mistakes. I want to apologize for being rude and... also for shooting you in the face with magic.”

Celestia smiled. “Don't kneel, Trixie. I told you before that kneeling didn't fit you well, and I meant it. You're a pony who should have pride in herself. I'm the one who should apologize. I haven't been treating you fairly.”

Trixie stood up slowly. “You've just been doing what you thought was best for Equestria.”

“I've been treating you like someone trying to steal my-” She hesitated. “My best friend. I suppose you could say I'm jealous of you. Cadence suggested I talk to you about it.”

“She would be the expert,” Trixie said, quietly.

“More than you know. She's had to deal with a lot of difficult and complicated issues with her family...” Celestia stopped. “It isn't my place to tell, and in some ways I'm making the same mistakes with you that I made with her, taking you away from the pony you love and hiding you.”

“You're really jealous of me?” Trixie asked, scraping at the dirt with a hoof.

“Does it surprise you that I can get jealous? I'm still a pony, Trixie. Everypony forgets that sometimes, and I try to live up to that impossible standard.” She sighed. “It's not easy. But you already know what that's like, from your life as a showmare.”

“Trixie knows how hard that can be.” She swallowed. “Princess, I-”

“Princess! Get away from her!” Trixie found herself suddenly captured in a bubble of energy. Shining Armor ran to interpose himself between Trixie and Celestia. “I heard what she did. We'll have her and her troops in the dungeon at once. Assaulting the princess is high treason.”

“Shining Armor, stop being silly.” Cadence sighed, flitting down next to him. “There's such a thing as extenuating circumstances. Or do you want to lock up your sister for her attack on Princess Luna?”

“That was different!”

“Trixie, you'll have to forgive him,” Cadence said. “He's just trying to be a good big brother and protect his little sister. I don't think he'd be happy no matter who was trying to date his LSBFF.”

“His what?” Trixie and Celestia both asked at once.

“Little Sister Best Friend Forever,” Cadence explained. “He always tries his best to protect others and this time I think he went a little far. You're both grown mares and can make your own decisions, even if Twilight does act more like a filly than an adult sometimes.”

“She's sheltered,” Trixie admitted, quietly. “And she learned most of what she knows from books. But she tries her best to make ponies happy, and she cared more about me than any of my fans ever did. I know I don't deserve her, but I want to make her happy too.”

“Aye, if it were merely her tight flank, I would have more quickly drawn her gaze than thy little sister!” Luna laughed as she joined the others after a few words with Koloth. “Come now, Shining Armor, thou must admit that your sister tends more towards a scholarly figure.”

“I'm not going to discuss my sister's figure!” Shining Armor blushed.

“Perhaps we should discuss thy wife's figure instead? She has a fine flank as well.”

“No!”

“I don't mind,” Cadence said, looking at Shining Armor coyly.

“I think,” Celestia said, coughing. “That we will call this contest null and void due to outside interference.”

“That reminds me, Trixie needs to turn Discord into a statue and banish him to the sun! Where did he go...” She turned to look for him.

Luna gasped in horror. “What happened to thy tail?!”

***

Dear Twilight,

It took me a long time to decide what to put in this letter. I'm not sure exactly how to say what I learned, except that maybe Princess Celestia and I have more in common than I thought. When I was performing, I only had to keep up my act while I was on stage, and I could get time to myself to relax. She's had to wear that mask for over a thousand years.

I guess it's something a princess has to be good at aside from smiling and waving and alicorn death beams.

I'm starting to understand your brother too. He doesn't approve of me, but that's because he cares about you and wants to make sure you don't get hurt. Given our shared history, I can't blame him. Despite what Luna thinks, a grand gesture or two isn't going to sway him. I need to show him that I've become a better pony. That's going to take time.

Oh yes, and the most important thing I learned – don't ever travel back in time. There's a lot of paperwork you have to fill out when you get back to the future. I don't even want to know why Celestia has those forms on hand, but I suspect it might have something to do with you.

Yours,

The Great and Powerful Palatine Trixie of the Night Guard

***

“You shouldn't have tried to kill her,” Cadence said, swirling wine around in her glass.

“You told me it was too dangerous to have her around my sister!” Shining Armor protested, before he was cut off by a cold glare.

“It's more dangerous to try and kill an immortal alicorn. Besides, honey, you're not good at hurting ponies. I know you want to keep Twilight safe, but there are better ways to do it. Remember what we talked about?”

“...About how if you were stronger, it would mean she didn't have to do so much fighting,” Shining Armor admitted.

“That's right. And if Trixie is dead, it's going to be even harder. I need to use her as a wedge to keep the others busy. They don't need to know until it's over. Celestia can't stand the thought that I'd try to forge a new destiny for myself. Shiny, do you know why she sent Discord out to stop Tirek?”

“She was worried Tirek would steal alicorn magic.”

“No. It's because she read in her little book of prophesy that he couldn't be stopped with alicorn magic, so she didn't even try. But you know what?”

Shining Armor didn't reply, letting his wife continue.

“We could have stopped him, easily, without anypony getting hurt, without having to risk trusting Discord – which was a mistake in itself. Even after Celestia dropped the ball, Twilight nearly defeated him! If he hadn't had hostages, she would have turned him into a smear on the ground.”

“She was right, though. Alicorn magic didn't defeat him.”

Cadence threw a glare at him over her shoulder.

“Sorry.”

“The point, Shiny, is that a prophesy is like a script for a play. If you have enough will to do it, you can change the lines.” She looked up at the stars. “I'm going to find a way to do it. No matter what my cutie mark is telling me, I'm not just a figurehead to sit in a distant empire and play nice.”

From up in the rafters, a dark figure watched over Cadence, wings buzzing almost silently.

Author's Note

This took a while to write. I had to rewrite it about five times before I was mildly happy with it, and a new job and the start of con season sort of delayed things further. Hopefully the next part won't take quite so long.

Edited by LightningBass94, who corrects a lot of my stupid grammar and punctuation mistakes. (I make a lot, so it's hard work!)

White, Turn 3: White Bishop to C4

Scholar's Mate
White, Turn 3: White Bishop to C4
by MagnetBolt

“Magic Kindergarten?!” The new alicorn gasped, taking a step back from Princess Celestia. The monarch sighed, obviously getting tired of the constant arguments they'd been having since the smaller pony had arrived at the palace.

“It's the best way for you to learn to control your new abilities,” Celestia said. “Don't worry, you won't be sharing a classroom with fillies a quarter your age. They'll be private lessons.”

“I can't spend another two decades in school!” The alicorn stomped a hoof, somewhere between about to cry and ready to scream in anger.

“You'll still be able to see your friends and family,” Celestia said, gently. At the mention of family, the smaller alicorn looked away, the scale having tipped in favor of sobbing. As she wiped tears from her eyes, a white wing settled around her, pulling her close to the solar princess. “I'm sorry. I forgot for a moment.”

“I was happy before all of this happened,” the younger pony muttered, sniffling. “Why can't things just be like they were before?”

“They're going to be even better. I promise.” Celestia nuzzled her neck.

“Then why can't I even leave the palace?”

“There's a right time for everything,” Celestia said. “I'm going to make sure everypony is ready for you. A new alicorn a big change, not the kind of thing anypony expects. I don't know if you've seen how my little ponies act when they get scared or confused. On their own, if you can sit and talk to them, they're smarter than you expect. A herd of them, though, panic spreads through them like a wave. Rumors get repeated, facts and fears are twisted together, and in the end they're running in circles in the streets and screaming about things that don't even exist.”

“That's...” the little alicorn considered. “I guess that's true.”

“Unfortunately, you've already been on the receiving end of that fear. In a few years, with the right rumors spread here and there, they'll be ready to accept you.”

“Years...” the pony said, with dread.

“Don't worry. You've got all the time in the world. When ponies hear about Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, they're going to fall in love at first sight. I'm going to make sure of it.”

“Isn't that my job?” Cadence asked, smiling a little now that her tears had stopped.

***

“I've seen a lot of ponies try to learn to fly, and I have to be honest with you here, you are probably- no, definitely- the worst.” Lucky Strike looked across the field. “Let's go over your mistakes one at a time. First...” He stepped over to a crater. “I admit that the explosion got you into the air, but if anypony had been standing next to you they'd be flying all the way to the hospital.”

“Trixie was just hoping to get a boost to help her into the air.” Trixie spat out a stray leaf. She was covered in tree sap and felt like a foal.

“Just don't do it when I'm around. Chicks dig scars, but I think I'm at the legal limit already.” Lucky smirked and flapped his single wing.

“Fine. Trixie will work on her take-offs.”

“Also, there's the actual flying.” Lucky pointed to a line of broken trees. They were thankfully miles out of Canterlot to avoid anypony seeing them. And also avoiding having to fix any buildings shattered by Trixie's unique take on aerodynamics.

“They were in my way,” Trixie said, turning up her nose.

“They wouldn't have been in your way if you'd had your eyes open!”

“Trixie had her eyes open! Mostly. Trixie was just very close to the trees before she realized it, and had to react quickly.”

“That's because you were flying at full speed. An impressive full speed, I admit.”

“It's easier to fly at high speed!” Trixie said, flapping her wings. “At low speed you have to keep flapping and it's hard to keep balanced!”

“That's because at high speed your pegasus magic keeps you in sustained flight by itself,” Lucky said. “Barely even need wings for that. If I got up to high speed I'd be able to stay in the air with just righty here.” He raised his single wing. “But I'd spin like a top. Which you were also doing.”

“Trixie has seen Wonderbolts do that trick in air shows.”

“Yes, but they intend to do it. You just launched yourself into the air with an explosion, went to panic speed as soon as you felt a little wobble, and barely opened your eyes in time to see the tree coming your way. Then you blew up half the forest.”

“Trixie barely blew up any trees at all! It's a dozen at most!” She waved a hoof.

“Also that little house.”

“That cabin jumped right out at Trixie!”

“It's a good thing nopony was home at the time, but I'm gonna tell you now that Luna generally doesn't like us blowing things up without a good reason.”

“What is this mess?” Ingrid asked, as she landed with full saddlebags. “I cannot believe this. I leave you alone with her for ten minutes and you are already teaching her to fly like a ghay'cha'.” The word had clicks in it as she snapped her beak.

“...what does that...?” Trixie looked at Lucky Strike. She didn't speak Griffonese.

“It means you are learning to fly like an idiot because your teacher is an idiot,” Ingrid said. She unstrapped the saddlebags. “If you want to learn to fly, you must fly like a predator. The ponies, they fly like prey, neg? Prey only flies fast when it is being chased. A predator must fly fast always, swiftly and surely. To fly like a predator means to fly better than your prey.”

“I promise she doesn't eat ponies,” Lucky whispered.

“Look.” Ingrid walked over and grabbed one of Trixie's wings gently. “These are hunter's wings. They are much larger than his, ah, what is the word... they are not just bigger, they are bigger compared to the rest of you.”

“You mean they're bigger proportionally,” Lucky said. Ingrid nodded.

“Yes, that is the word. Some pegasi have very small wings like tiny birds. None have wings like this, neg? They are more like griffon wings.” She spread her own wings out to show them off. “They need strength, and strength starts with what you eat. While we teach you to fly you will eat well, to make you strong and not such a weak little pony.”

“Oh no,” Lucky said, groaning, as Ingrid opened the saddlebags to reveal fish and root vegetables.

“You did not complain when our son was learning to fly!” Ingrid snapped. “Now he is the best in flight school, and all the little ponies are jealous of my little hippogriff.”

“Your... son...?” Trixie looked between them. “But I thought- you and him? Really?”

Lucky blushed and looked away. “It's complicated.”

“It is not complicated,” Ingrid countered. “He is a good little pony, sometimes. He has a strong spirit. Most ponies will break like a little twig, but he will die before his will gives out. I once broke his leg while we were sparring and he would not yield. He forced me to cede the battle for fear of hurting him permanently, and that was when I knew I wanted him.” She rubbed her beak affectionately on his neck.

“Of course she's given me a lot of scars since then. Like I've got this one on my flank-”

“Trixie does not want details!” Trixie sputtered, backing away.

“I assure you that is wise,” Koloth said, flapping his wings as he landed. “Don't let them start talking about their love lives or else you'll have nightmares even Luna can't help with. I learned about something she does with her beak that sometimes keeps me up at night.”

“Don't tell me you're here to give me flying lessons too,” Trixie asked.

“No, though I'm surprised you need help. Princess Twilight was up in the air within hours. And down again within seconds at high speed. She did eventually improve.”

“Twilight wasn't stuck in the hospital, then a magic lab, then in Nightmare Moon's castle. And Trixie assures you, it's almost impossible to learn anything about flying on an airless rock with low gravity.”

“If it was airless, how did you breathe?” Lucky asked, skeptical.

“Magic,” Trixie said.

“Just magic? No details?”

“Do you really want details?” Trixie raised an eyebrow. “Trixie could tell you about how she bravely struggled through, knowing her immortality might fail at any moment, the crushing weight of the desire to draw even one breath-”

“Nightmare Moon's castle had air,” Koloth said. “I asked Luna about it years ago.”

“Trixie was getting to that part.”

“Of course you were, Palatine,” Koloth agreed. “But we must speak. There has been something of a... development.”

***

“A vacation?” Luna asked, confused.

“Yes, Luna,” Celestia said, smiling. “I think it's the best thing for both of us.” She'd met Luna in the garden where Discord had once been imprisoned, though his statue had since been replaced with one of Twilight looking more regal and dignified than the young alicorn usually managed. The sculptor had taken a few liberties.

It'd have to be replaced in a few hundred years as she grew up, of course, but for now it was nice to have a reminder of her student that didn't involve the artist capturing her in the act of blowing something up with untold magical power.

“Forgive me, sister, but I wasn't expecting it.” Luna tilted her head. “Relaxing just doesn't seem to be something I'd think thou would do.”

“Nor would most ponies. It hasn't been easy keeping Equestria together without you, Luna. I had to stay on watch alone for almost a thousand years.”

Luna looked down at her hooves. “Sister...”

“Don't blame yourself. I could have, perhaps should have, turned more power over to the council to relieve the pressure on myself. I was too afraid of what might happen without one of us guiding them along. But now that you are back, and Cadence and Twilight have been crowned, there are more than enough of us for me to rest for a time.”

“Thou cannot simply drop everything,” Luna said. “They will panic. There was nearly a riot a month ago when thou and I had a late breakfast and thou were not seen on thine daily walk in the plaza!” Luna snorted. “They assumed I had usurped thee and were taking over Equestria. Merely because thou had broken routine!”

“It was amusing when they tried to rescue me, though I think Shining Armor found it more annoying than funny. Really, I was proud of them. I didn't think they would stand up for themselves quite so... strongly.”

“Thou didn't wake up with a mob in thine bedroom demanding that I release thee from entrapment. 'Twas not an entertaining day.”

“Perhaps not for you...” Celestia gave Luna a smirk, then looked away. “But you're right. I can't simply leave without warning. I need to make sure things are in order and that I'm not dropping anything too troublesome into your lap.”

“How long art thou planning on being gone?” Trixie frowned. She didn't like the way Celestia had mentioned getting her affairs in order.

“I think a month would be appropriate. If I leave in two weeks, that will bring me back in time to start planning for Hearth's Warming Eve.”

“That isn't... too long,” Luna admitted.

“I'm not going to abandon you here, Luna.” Celestia's voice lowered. “Not after finally getting you back. I just want to take some time to get away from things and make a trip I kept promising I'd make.”

“Her grave?” Luna asked, quietly. Celestia nodded.

“It's been... centuries since I visited. I'm not even sure what's left.”

“Will thou even be able to find it? After so much time-”

“A mother never forgets, Luna. I'll always know where it is.” Celestia looked away, lost in a deep memory for almost a full minute of uncomfortable silence before she spoke again, forcing a facade of happiness into her voice. “But as I was saying, my getting away from the palace will be good for you as well.”

“Assuming they do not think I've had thee imprisoned.”

“That's why we're going to hold a ball the night before I leave. A big celebration to make sure everypony knows that nothing secret is going on. I'll make a formal announcement tomorrow, though word is already getting out.”

“Thy maids never could keep a secret.”

“Nor do yours, Luna. Perhaps you'd like to discuss a certain large pillow you have, and the rather lewd cover you keep on it?”

“T-that is a state secret and thou may never speak of it or else- or else I shall make cake illegal again!”

Celestia gasped. “You'd never!”

“I would! Thou were forced to eat only pie for a week before thou could have the law repealed last time! With the inefficient ponies doing thy paperwork now, 'twould take months before thou had thy sugary treat!”

Celestia swooned dramatically. “You've won this battle, Luna. I won't tell anypony about your special pillow or whose image is printed on it.”

“Good. Then thou are free to expand thy flank as thou wishes.”

Celestia smiled. “I'll take a few cakes with me just in case. While I'm gone, the Day Court will be suspended. The ponies will have to bend to serve your schedule.”

“I thought thou would have Twilight fill in for thine absence.”

“No, she has her own castle and court to attend to, and she needs to learn to be her own ruler, not merely my shadow. The same is true of Cadence, though when she suggested this idea she was all too eager to take over my role for a time.” Celestia sighed.

“So this is Princess Cadenza's idea,” Luna noted, narrowing her eyes.

“It's a good one, Luna. If ponies are forced to go to Night Court by this new schedule, they'll learn to appreciate you more. I suspect that many will learn they prefer to have you rule on their disputes. Even if we have ruled together for a very long time, we have never seen eye to eye on all the little details.”

“True enough,” Luna agreed. “Fine, then. They shall see that the Princess of the Moon is just as fair as the Princess of the Sun, though I will not suffer the same fools thou does in court. I still do not know why thou allows some of the fools to prattle on when thou has better things to do.”

“One of the biggest mistakes we ever made was not listening. First we forgot to listen to the ponies we ruled, then we forgot to listen to each other.” Celestia smiled sadly. “Just because we might think somepony's concerns are below us, it doesn't mean we're right. It might just mean we lack the proper perspective.”

Luna smiled. “That is a difficult lesson to learn.”

“The learning of it nearly broke me,” Celestia admitted, nuzzling her sister affectionately. “Now, let's discuss the meetings I have planned for next month...”

***

“She's just leaving?” Trixie asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Luna wants us to be ready,” Koloth explained. “Night Court will be more busy than ever, and Luna has decided, in her infinite wisdom, that you need to be exposed to it, and that means your legion will be Luna's primary guard. Most units would consider it an honor and easy duty. Personally, I fear for our chances at success even at standing still and trying to simply avoid embarrassing ourselves.”

“Trixie understands why.” She looked over at where Lucky and Ingrid were arguing, the griffon looming over the pegasus and yelling something incomprehensible. Lucky yelled back, and Ingrid roared and slapped him with a talon. Seconds later, they had tongues down each others' throats.

“Some of the others are almost as bad. As long as we keep those two away from each other, they won't be distracted enough to cause trouble.” Koloth sighed. “Can you...?”

Trixie nodded and grabbed her canteen with magic, emptying it over the two as they started to graduate to something that shouldn't be done in public and never in front of your superior officer. They pulled away from each other, dripping and sputtering as the cold water spilled over them.

“Thank you,” Koloth said. “We have some time to prepare. Assignments are technically your prerogative, but I have some suggestions to keep the real troublemakers away from each other.”

“You know them better than Trixie does,” Trixie admitted. “But Trixie thinks what we need is a dry run. Trixie would always rehearse again and again before a show to make sure she wouldn't make any mistakes.”

***

Celestia departed, leaving Luna alone. Or as alone as a member of royalty ever really got, which meant that there were still maids quietly waiting to make themselves useful and guards posted outside the door.

“You may leave,” Luna said, addressing the maids formally and waving a hoof to dismiss them. The maids bowed and started leaving. Luna stopped one with a look. “You, stay. I desire a cup of tea before I retire for the day.”

The blue maid bowed and remained that way until the other maids had left. When the door closed, she stood up and glanced at it and the window before turning to Luna.

“How do you always know?” Mandi asked, as the changeling dropped his disguise, returning to his mildly horrible natural form.

“A princess never reveals all her secrets,” Luna said, with a smile. She motioned for the changeling to sit with her, pouring two cups of tea from the cooling pot as Mandi got comfortable on the pillows there. “Now, make thy report, Princeps.”

“I've been tailing Cadence as you asked, Princess.” Mandi sipped the tea and frowned at the bitter flavor, putting it to the side to ignore it politely. “She's really interesting to watch. Do you know she has a harem? I didn't think Shining Armor would be into that, but-”

“And her plans?” Luna asked, cutting the changeling off.

"She doesn't trust you or Celestia worth a toss, and she feels inadequate. Cadence is trying to keep all of you busy while she does whatever it is that she's planning. She isn't stupid enough to do a monologue without an audience, so all I can get is what she lets slip from her asides and ominous but vague mutterings."

"Ah yes. I am familiar with that." Luna nodded. "I was once quite an expert at ominous muttering."

"Good Morning, Sister."

"Oh yes, it's to die for."

"Is it time already, Luna? I feel like I just closed my eyes."

"Not yet, but it will be soon. Very soon."

"Were you thinking of coming to the Gala? I hear that cute Lulamoon girl you have a crush on will be there."

"Will the black lace be too slutty?"

"What was that last one?" Mandi asked.

"Never thou mind!" Luna blushed. "Did I do the thing where I say the things in my head out loud?"

"...No," Mandi said, after deliberating for a moment. "And you also didn't make Celestia sound like a squeaky little foal."

"Good." Luna nodded in very serious agreement. She coughed and continued. “Just as well. She may be on sister's good side, but a month away from her wiles will serve to defuse any plans she might have had to use Tia as leverage.”

“Who do you have following Princess Celestia?”

“Nopony. My sister needs to make this journey alone. I... understand her pain, and I will not be the one to intrude on her pilgrimage.”

“If you say so.” Mandi shrugged.

“I do,” Luna said, firmly. “Whatever Cadence is planning, it will not be the end of Equestria. There are signs and portents about each great disaster, and I would know better than any when the stars are right.”

“Speaking of that, she and Celestia were talking about some prophesy with six alicorns...”

“Ah, that. 'Tis an old story from long before the founding of Equestria. Antikythera foresaw it in that first age. It made no sense at the time, but she said that one day a sixth alicorn would arise and it would mean-” Luna was interrupted by a knock at her door. She looked at Mandi. The changeling backed up and changed shape again into the maid.

“Enter!” Luna called. The door opened and Trixie walked into the room, coat still sticky with tree sap.

“Trixie apologizes for the unannounced entrance, Luna,” She pulled a pinecone out of her mane. “And Trixie will pay to have the pine tree in the garden replaced. It was in the way when Trixie was coming in for a landing.”

“I take it thy flying lessons are going well?” Luna smirked.

“They are- going.” Trixie coughed. “Trixie heard about what's going on already. We need practice before we can properly stand guard. Trixie was hoping that she could ask you for assistance in finding a venue for this rehearsal.”

Luna smiled and clapped her hooves. “Thou have read my mind, Palatine! 'Twould be foolish to send thee and thine soldiers to the mercy of keeping the court in order without preparing thou. I have already taken the liberty of finding thou an appropriate place to test thy troops' mettle.”

“Really?” Trixie raised an eyebrow. She glanced at the maid. “Mandi, get Trixie a fresh cup of tea.”

“Oh sure, ma'am- wait, how in Tartarus did you know it was me?” Mandi dropped his disguise, glaring at Trixie.

“A magician never reveals all of her secrets.”

***

The Canterlot Anomalous Art Museum hosted one of the finest exhibits of enchanted artwork in the world. It had everything from portraits that moved as if the subjects were alive to statues that appeared as something new and different to each viewer. The most popular gallery at the moment was the new exhibit by one Al'Azhoof, a Saddle Arabian mare whose work was being put on public display in Equestria for the first time, after the recent upturn in relations with the country.

“Remind Trixie again why she shouldn't blast that part of the museum into a crater!” Trixie snapped, still blushing bright red. Her armor was disheveled, and her mane had been thrown into disarray. “Why would anypony make an entire room full of animated tentacles and call it performance art?!”

“It was better than that statue that moved every time we weren't looking at it,” Babbidi shivered. “And you can't blow up the museum. We're supposed to be protecting it.”

'Trixie thinks art like this is severely stretching the definition of art and nearly reaching the level of declaration of war.” She snorted. “Help me fix my armor. I can't get the clasps with this magic suppression field.”

“I'm surprised you can't break through it with your power,” Babbidi commented, as she helped adjust Trixie's armor so her wings were covered by her star-covered cape and the showmare didn't look like she'd been wrestling the naughty octopus (which, ironically, was the literal translation of the piece's name). “I mean, you broke through mine.”

“Trixie has seen the spell before, and it's different from the Smooze. It can't be broken through with power. It twists the shape of spells that are cast within it back on themselves. The stronger the spell, the more it fights against itself. Even Celestia wouldn't be able to do anything here.” Trixie sighed and adjusted her mane. “Thank you, Babbidi.”

“Thank you for saving me from that very adventurous tentacle,” Babbidi said, coughing and looking away.

“Don't mention it,” Trixie said. “Really, I mean it. Never mention it again.”

“It would be nice if it was quiet,” Babbidi grumbled, as they exited the empty exhibit hall, two Night Guards letting them through the velvet ropes keeping the section walled off.

“Trixie should have known that it wouldn't be a normal night. Nothing in Trixie's life has been normal for a long time now.” The two passed into the main foyer of the museum, where a wall of noise met them. Not the riotous noise of a Pinkie Pie party, but the soft sounds of music and the babble of high-class Canterlot ponies discussing things in little social circles, a few social butterflies drifting between them. The largest of the circle was centered on Al'Azhoof herself, the mare – small by Saddle Arabian standards but still standing a head taller than the other ponies around her – was quietly soaking up praise from the movers and shakers around her.

It was something Trixie had always wanted to experience, but never had the luck or skill to manage. She felt a pang of envy for the fame she'd never really managed to attain. Even what honest accomplishments she'd actually managed were buried under a veil of state secrecy, all because Celestia wanted to keep ponies from knowing how close her student had come to ending the world.

“Palatine,” Koloth said, walking up to Trixie and breaking her train of thought. “We're all in position. There aren't any major problems yet.”

“Trixie takes it that means there were minor problems,” She said, looking away from Al'Azhoof to give Koloth her full attention.

“Durin caught some idiot trying to use a sculpture as a bathroom. The idiot was so drunk he thought the glowing ceremonial chalice was a toilet. Or something like that. Durin was a bit rough with him. I don't expect it will bring trouble back on us later, but no doubt there will be a complaint from his family in the morning.”

“Trixie is happy as long as the problems are from the guests and not from her legion.” It was starting to feel good to call it HER legion.

“True enough,” Koloth agreed. They started to circle the room, staying near the wall and out of the way of the guests. The conversation died for a moment until they were behind the musicians, Koloth spending a moment appreciating a gray mare's flank before Trixie coughed and got his attention again. “There is one other thing, though I don't think it really bears mention.”

“I used that excuse a lot when I was researching the Element of Dominance,” Babbidi said, thinking aloud. “Usually what it really means is that you don't want to tell somepony something but know you should anyway.”

Koloth snorted. “Fine. If you must know, half of the soldiers are near to falling asleep on their feet. Some are bored, others just lazy. The other half seem convinced we're about to be attacked by something horrible. It doesn't help that Ingrid swears she can smell blood on the wind and Mandi is helpfully keeping everypony on edge by sneaking around and jumping out of the shadows.”

“Wonderful,” Trixie sighed.

“The good news is, in an hour that new sculpture will be revealed...” Babbidi pointed to a tarp concealing the centerpiece of the exhibit. “Then everypony will clap, they'll make comments about how much it represents the concept of some vague emotion, then once everypony is done being pretentious they'll drink another round and make their escape back to the beds of their wives, husbands, and/or mistresses.”

“Of course we're stuck here all night,” Koloth noted. “When I say we though I don't mean officers. Standing watch over empty rooms is the work of enlisted ponies.”

“Naturally,” Trixie agreed, smiling. “And we can't leave some of them bored too long or else they'll end up like Ingrid and Lucky.”

“Not even Nightmare Moon would doom Equestria with more of them,” Koloth groaned.

***

Durin grumbled to himself as he stalked through the dark outer galleries of the museum. It wasn't that he disliked being on patrol. It was one of the things he liked best, actually, to just be able to walk in a nice slow circle. It was unambiguous and simple, just like Durin, not that the donkey would use those terms himself.

Consequently, when the net dropped on him, he was more annoyed that his routine had been disturbed than that he'd been attacked.

“What in Tartarus?” He tried to get free, but a tiny net had been dropped on him, and it was an inescapable trap. He struggled, but every movement only made the net close tighter and tighter until he was wrapped up solidly.

Durin cursed under his breath as he was dragged away. It was going to be a long night.

***

“We really shouldn't be doing this,” Lucky said, as he put his armor aside. Ingrid rolled her eyes and buffeted him with a wing, knocking him over onto a pile of rags they'd found in the janitor's closet.

“Then you should not have been teasing me so, neg?” Ingrid ran a talon down his face. “You were staring at my wings all night.”

“I mean we're going to get caught.” Lucky's ears folded back as Ingrid circled him like a shark. The griffoness laughed and pounced on him.

“And who is going to catch us? Koloth would not care. The Palatine would probably wish to join in – I have heard rumors of what showmares get up to.” She leaned in to whisper in his ear. “And the insect just likes to watch.”

The door opened. Ingrid and Lucky froze, eyes going wide.

***

“I just hope everypony can stay out of trouble until everyone leaves,” Babbidi said.

“What's the worst that could happen?” Trixie asked with a shrug. This was entirely the wrong thing to say, as the universe had just been waiting for Trixie to get comfortable before striking with full force to ruin her day.

So the moment the words left her lips, there was an explosion. It wasn't a giant explosion, just a small one, more designed to get attention and alert ponies that there were explosions going on than to actually rend them limb from limb. It was the kind of explosion you might find as part of a stage act, though Trixie would have had more sparkles and colors.

Of course she didn't generally have a dozen ponies with crossbows and masks. The pony walking through the smoke left behind by the explosion did, in fact, have a dozen henchponies, all earth ponies, with the aforementioned crossbows.

“Nopony move!” Shouted one of the henchponies. The leader smirked and walked into the middle of the crowd, armed thugs spreading out to cover them.

“Well, what do we have here? A crowd of annoying, foppish unicorns who think they're just so much better than earth ponies!” The leader smirked. He had a light gray coat that glimmered in the light where it wasn't matted and dirty, a white mane shot through with greenish streaks, and a massive scar creeping from his forehead down between his eyes.

“No way.” Trixie groaned. “Of all the ponies Trixie had to run into...”

“You know him?” Babbidi asked.

“He was Trixie's first coltfriend,” she sighed.

“...Palatine forgive me if I'm being indelicate,” Koloth whispered. “But I have heard that you were rather... intolerable in the past. I don't mean to suggest that your wonderful personality turned your coltfriend into an anti-unicorn terrorist, but...” he trailed off.

“Trixie did not turn him insane with her feminine wiles!” Trixie snapped.

“Oh it is my lucky day. This was clearly meant to be!” The scarred pony smiled and walked towards Trixie. “Of all the unicorns I could have found, it's the one who ruined my life!”

Koloth looked at Trixie and raised an eyebrow. The showmare sighed.

“Trixie didn't ruin your life, Praxis.” Trixie stepped forward, getting between him and the crowd of guests. “You got upset because Trixie was better with illusion spells than you were and you had a breakdown.”

“You made me think you were Princess Celestia and you had come to kick me out personally for cheating on tests!”

“You tattled on Trixie for using divination magic to get test answers ahead of time!”

“Because you broke up with me!”

“Trixie caught you stealing her socks and makeup!”

“WE AGREED NEVER TO TALK ABOUT THAT!” Praxis screamed. He coughed and composed himself. “But I see you've gone on to run everypony else's life as one of the corrupt and inept guards that protect this tribalist nation and its rulers! Unicorns compromise over ninety percent of the nobility of Equestria! That is unfair representation!”

“Praxis, you're a unicorn,” Trixie sighed.

“Not since the accident!” He declared, loudly. “When you made me have a panic attack and I jumped out the window! I broke my horn, Trixie!”

“It was just cracked! It would have healed if you would have rested instead of trying to cast a matter transmutation spell with a horn fracture!”

“IT WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF MY REVENGE!” Praxis yelled. “I was thrown out of school and became destitute! I had to-”

“Blah blah blah,” Trixie rolled her eyes. “You got free medical care until you started refusing treatment and ran away. Trixie had to explain to your parents what happened! You never even told them! Do you know how awkward it was for Trixie?!”

“AS I WAS SAYING, I lost my magic and had to live as the noble earth ponies do! I learned how much the government ignores and oppresses them!”

“No wonder you broke up with him,” Babbidi muttered.

“He wasn't this bad when we were dating,” Trixie whispered.

“Look at this museum,” Praxis said, waving a hoof at the exhibits. “One of the finest museums in Canterlot, and no earth pony could hope to have their art displayed here! It's all useless magic done for the sake of being useless magical art, a little show for unicorns to lord it over the ponies that grow the food that keeps this country fed!”

“Are you done?” Trixie asked. “Because Trixie is putting you under arrest, along with your goons.”

“They are freedom fighters, not goons! And we're not going anywhere!” Praxis dramatically opened his cape, revealing a complicated alchemical rig strapped to his body. “One wrong move and I'll mix this dragon guano and sulphur and we'll all go boom.”

“A bomb?!” Trixie stepped back. Praxis advanced on her.

“That's right. I just had to arrange a little accident at the old school lab so I could sneak in and get the materials. I'm holding everypony here hostage until Celestia comes to hear our demands for earth pony equality!”

Trixie bit her lip. This was not how she pictured a fancy dress party to go. “If you give up now, Trixie promises that she will have Luna listen to what you have to say. Threatening ponies won't get you anywhere.”

“As if you could convince a princess to do anything.”

“Oh, Trixie is her personal student,” Babbidi said, trying to be helpful. Praxis' eye twitched. “Luna adores her.”

“You're her personal student and a member of the Royal Guard?!”

“Of the highest rank,” Babbidi confirmed. “And the savior of Equestria, though the record of what she did is a state secret of the highest level.”

“Stop trying to help!” Trixie hissed.

“You know, there's mocking me and there's just bucking with me, and right now you're doing the latter.” Praxis seethed. “There's no way that a princess would take a lazy self-aggrandizing trickster like HER as a personal student, and trying to convince me that she's a hero and an officer is just insulting to my intelligence!”

“Well she-”

“She's disappointing,” Praxis continued. “I thought maybe she'd have learned something after being driven to do some real honest work on a rock farm. And yes, I know all about that. I've kept tabs on the pony who ruined me.”

“Not lately, apparently,” Koloth noted, with a snort.

“BUT I see that she is just as bad as the rest!” Praxis talked over the thestral. “I don't know who she conned to get into the guard, but there's no way that she is anything other than a fake!” He shoved Trixie back with a hoof.

Trixie's wings sprung up on their own as she was thrown off balance. She'd spent days trying to learn the reflexes that would keep her from falling, and that was coming back to bite her in the plot.

Praxis sputtered and blinked at the sight.

“What? Just- What? You-” He was at a loss for words. As were most of the unicorns in attendance. “You know what? Forget the hostage thing. I'm a hundred and ten percent done with this. I'm just gonna blow us all to Tartarus.”

Author's Note

EXPLOSION SOUND!

Thanks again to LightningBass94 for the editing assists!

Next time: The forces of good defeat the other forces of good, because both sides have some valid arguments and think they themselves are good, though that's a matter of personal perception instead of an objective interpretation of their actions through the lens of what is and isn't acceptable in society vis-à-vis the different social norms and lifestyles of earth ponies and unicorns and their apparent places in society, ergo while both sides think they are right and the other wrong an outside observer might declare both or neither side to be on the side of good, and consequently the moral values of the battle are as much a matter for debate as the tactics used, though any such debate needs to take into account the externalities on both sides which include long tradition and social mores reaching all the way back to the founding of Equestria and before, and as such have taken root deeply in society and are not easily disentangled from current events and make overall social change more difficult.

Black, Turn 3: Black Knight to F6

Scholar's Mate
Black, Turn 3: Black Knight to F6
by MagnetBolt

“I am going to blow us all to Tartarus!”

Unicorns screamed and started running in circles, masked ponies with crossbows keeping them from fleeing. Al'Azoof, watched calmly, eyes narrow. The artist was the only pony who hadn't reacted to the reveal that Trixie had wings, or the earth pony's threat.

Trixie wasn't terribly impressed with the threat - it wasn't the first time Trixie had heard those words. That alone said a lot about the sort of relationships Trixie had been involved in in the past. She hoped that Twilight would prove to be more stable, but the one time she'd mentioned that to Cadence, the pink alicorn had laughed awkwardly and changed the subject.

“Praxis, killing them all isn't going to help our cause, especially if nopony knows why it happened.” A voice rang out, as clear as a bell, right over the screams of the foppish unicorns. Everything seemed to slow down and go quiet as she walked in, a slim pony in glittering silver and white armor that was smooth and form-fitting to her body. Her coat was a teal so light that the color was barely there at all, with a long navy mane that hung down around her face.

“Platinum, I-” Praxis looked down, hoof moving away from the bright red cord that would trigger the bomb he was wearing.

“Shh.” She smiled and walked up to him, nuzzling him for a moment and calming him down. “Remember, we're trying to fix this broken nation, not just kill ponies.”

“So are you two going to start making out, or is this still a hostage situation?” Babbidi asked. “I swear, when I was the villain I did a much better job of it.”

“Trixie remembers having to coach you on proper dramatic speeches and the expected tropes of being a villain,” Trixie noted, as she got her wings calmed down and back within her black cloak, not that it was really keeping a secret anymore.

“Yes, but I didn't stop to cuddle with my special somepony,” Babbidi noted, with a sneer.

“Do you even have a special somepony?” Trixie asked. “Trixie has gotten so used to a certain pair doing lewd things in front of her that she sometimes forgets that one can have a significant other and not be constantly fighting or making out.”

“It's basically the same thing for those two,” Koloth noted.

“Oh, Trixie has noticed,” she sighed.

“Excuse me,” the white-armored pony interjected. “But we're the heroes. Also, we should introduce ourselves. I am Platinum Star, and these brave ponies are the Earth Pony Liberation Front.”

Koloth snorted. “You have hostages and a bomb. That hardly makes you the heroes.”

“Oh really?” The mare smirked. “I don't see how you have the right to say that. All of my ponies are bravely struggling to do the right thing. Look at Sakura Sprinkle over there. Her cherry farm was seized by the crown. They paid her a pittance and then she finds out later that her orchards have been torn down so a unicorn with more money than common sense can have a new summer home with a mountain view. Her family had built that farm up over a hundred years, and it was gone the instant a unicorn asked for it. Everypony here has a story like that.”

“Taking hostages isn't going to get you the attention you want. It's just going to get you thrown in the dungeon,” Koloth growled.

“We tried everything else!” Praxis yelled. “We even waited for months just to get a chance to speak to Celestia in person! Oh she listened and nodded and promised to send somepony out to look. And you know what they did? They reported that the laws were being followed, case closed. The laws are the part that's unfair in the first place!”

“What about Night Court?” Koloth asked. “The docket is always empty enough that there's no real wait, and Luna more or less represents checks and balances against her sister.”

“I'd be worried that she'd be concerned about going against her sister,” Babbidi commented. “She's been trying to be a good sister and stay in line.”

“And when she does nothing, what then?” Platinum Star asked. “Do we move on to the Crystal Empress and ask her to intervene in matters outside her domain? Do we beg Princess Twilight Sparkle for help and hope she doesn't try to solve this problem with the same giant show of force she uses on everything else? If we just keep passing the bit and never take responsibility for our future ourselves, how can we expect to get respect?”

***

“I cannot believe we fell to an ambush from these pieces of baktag!” Ingrid cursed, struggling against the ropes binding her and Lucky Strike. Under other circumstances being tied up and pinned down with her mate would be a welcome way to spend an evening, but not when it meant she'd lost a battle.

“You know what bothers me?” Lucky asked. He'd been deep in thought since he had been tied up.

“No doubt that they interrupted us before I could get my beak around-”

“Not that. They said I was an inept minion!” Lucky sighed. “I'm not an inept minion! I was almost on the Wonderbolts and I got great marks in training!”

“Of course you are not inept,” Ingrid snorted. “You are one of the most determined warriors in the night guard.”

“It's also, well... I heard them talking.” Lucky coughed. “About how they're fighting for equal rights and stuff. And I started to get worried.”

“There is nothing to be worried about.” Ingrid struggled harder. “They are mere amateurs and we are professional soldiers.”

“Well, that's why I'm worried,” Lucky said. “I mean, we shouldn't have lost, even with our pants down. Figuratively speaking. It would be literal if we wore pants, though. But what I mean is, there's only one way we could have lost.” Luck swallowed, nervous. “Ingrid, are we the bad guys?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Think about it. We're all wearing scary armor, and we literally and figuratively serve a dark horse. We all love Luna, but she did try to end the world a couple of times.”

“That was the Nightmare. It was just controlling Luna.”

“I know. But we also, personally, particpated in the invasion of the Castle of the Twin Sisters, and probably killed a bunch of ponies.”

“We were not given a choice. It was during a war and we had to escape.”

“And look at the chain of command. We hit like, all the classic evil commander types. We've got an evil witch, a scarred and experienced warrior, a literal shapeshifting monster...”

“Which one am I?”

“The sadistic and violent temptress.”

“You always know what to say to please me,” Ingrid purred. “What about Koloth?”

“He's the one honorable pony who is torn between loyalty and justice.”

“Durin?”

“The pony who just follows orders and never questions them even as he does terrible things.”

“Hm. And what about our great and powerful leader?”

“Trixie? Don't even get me started.”

***

“We already know how this will end,” Trixie said, calmly. “We'll have a duel, which Trixie will of course win because she is great and powerful and you are terrorists.”

“Freedom fighters,” Platinum Star corrected.

“Whatever,” Trixie said.

“And we aren't going to have a duel,” Platinum said. “This isn't a fight. This isn't even a battle. I had my men take out your inept guards so we could shine a light of justice on the plight of the humble ponies of Equestria, who toil away while unicorns live on the backs of their labors!”

“Trixie resents that. She worked hard for everything she has!”

“You could never understand real labor! Having to plow fields and harvest crops just to keep your family fed-”

“Trixie has been supporting herself on the road as a traveling showmare since she was out of school.” Trixie huffed, managing to look even more offended. “Plowing fields is hard work, but it's far more stable than what Trixie was put through.”

“Um, she also sort of worked at our rock farm...” muttered one of the masked ponies to Platinum's right.

“Inkie Pie? Is that you?” Trixie stepped past Platinum to look at the mare. “It is you! Trixie thought you were at art college!”

“I sort of am,” Inkie admitted. “Actually, Praxis teaches pottery and I'm getting extra credit for-”

“Shut up!” Praxis hissed.

“You're a teacher?” Babbidi asked. “What was all that before about hard work, then?”

“Being a teacher is one of the most difficult and rewarding jobs a pony can have!” Praxis countered. “And pottery is not only one of the oldest forms of art, but a useful trade on its own!”

“Are we really being held hostage by a bunch of students?” Koloth growled.

“The greatest revolutions start with youth involvement!”

“This is pathetic!” Koloth roared. “This so-called hostage situation is over! Put down those crossbows before you hurt yourselves and leave! I should have you all thrown in a dungeon but you're clearly too stupid to learn anything from it!”

Inkie and a few others started to do so before Platinum raised a hoof. “Stop. Don't just follow orders from authority like that, it's what's gotten society into the mess it's in right now. Do you remember our real goals?”

“T-to get equality for everypony and make sure that working ponies of Equestria who carry the true burdens of this great nation are given their fair share of what they produce, because, um...” Inkie hesitated. “I forgot the rest.”

“Because they are the source of production, which is objectively a more noble pursuit than merely moving money around or living a life of idle leisure from investments,” Platinum finished.

“You know, those investments provided the capital needed to start up those businesses that you're talking about in the first place,” Babbidi pointed out. “Without investors its much more difficult to start a new business, as you have to self-finance the whole thing yourself and assume all the risk.” She looked back at Trixie and whispered. “My father owns a mine and wanted me to get a business degree. I had to learn all this in school.”

“Is this really the place for a lecture on the basic nature of market capitalism?” Koloth asked.

“Well she started it,” Babbidi countered. “If she wants to complain about ponies making money from investments, which venture capitalists often use to then fund further investments, she needs to be ready to talk about the importance of loans to a startup.”

“It's one thing to loan money, it's another thing to take so much of a pony's earnings that they barely scrape by!”

“It's a free market. If a pony doesn't like the terms of a loan they're always free to decline and
find another investor.”

“Like the average pony can even understand the legalese that contracts are written in! Half of the ponies I know are stuck with loans where the terms are written in Old Equestrian! And if they want to hire a lawyer just so they can understand what in Tartarus is being said, that's more bits down the drain!” Platinum Star advanced on Babbidi, looming down at her. Babbidi kept her gaze, not impressed.

“There are laws that protect ponies who are victims of predatory lending, and there's public legal assistance paid for by the crown for those who can't afford lawyers-”

“Taxes! Hah! That's just another drain on the working pony! The government takes half your wages, then you use the other half to pay the interest on your loan and if you're lucky you barely have enough to feed yourself when it's all said and done!”

“This is the worst hostage situation Trixie has ever been a part of.”

***

“Can you get to the knot?”

“Bah. Neg. I can't twist my talon enough.” Ingrid grunted. “I nearly popped it out of the socket trying to reach it last time.”

“What we need is a plan that doesn't rely on stupid brute strength... wait a minute. I got it!” Lucky grinned. “Okay what we're gonna do is, you play dead, and I'll pretend to freak out. When they come in to check on us, I'll say you were having problems breathing and they'll loosen the ropes while they check on you, then you jump them!”

“That is a stupid plan. A griffon would never fall for it.”

“A griffon would have shot us instead of tying us up.”

“...That is true. We will try your stupid plan.” Ingrid shifted her weight, then went limp. Lucky waited a few moments to make sure she was comfortable, then started yelling. It only took seconds for the door to be opened, and two masked earth ponies to walk in, one on three hooves and covering the other from the door.

“You've gotta help! I think something's wrong with her!” Lucky said, trying to look back at Ingrid.

“Really? That old trick?” The unarmed pony snorted. “I've read plenty of Daring Do novels so that one's not gonna work on me.”

Ingrid sighed and looked up. She glanced behind him to the armed pony. “Look out behind you.”

“You're really desperate if you think-” He felt something prodding him in the back. The pony turned, frowning. Behind him was a changeling holding a crossbow. “Oh for bucks sake.”

***

“...see, so you can't have it both ways. If you want regulation of business owners and loaning practices there needs to be a regulatory body. And the only way you're going to get that is with a government, and that means paying taxes.”

“The problem isn't the concept of the regulatory body or, really, the taxes. It's that policy from the cabinet and council has consistently favored the already-wealthy because of campaign contributions, unicorns more easily achieving higher education because of said wealth, and the simple fact that many on said council are themselves weathy from loans, which means they'll never vote for anything that would take money out of their own pockets...”

“Trixie was happier when this was just a bomb threat.” She grumbled, grabbing a glass of champagne from the buffet table and downing it in one swig.

“That might be true, but this is good practice for when you have to listen to this kind of nonsense all night,” Koloth noted. “Assuming we don't fall asleep, and your ex doesn't try to kill us with that bomb strapped to his flank.”

“Excuse me,” asked a soft voice. Trixie turned to look, and had to look up at the tall figure of Al'Azhoof, the sculptor as tall as Luna, though with a coat that was just barely off-white and a long lavender mane. “I hope I am not interrupting anything delicate.” She batted her eyes at Trixie and Koloth, her posture and expression difficult to read under the veils and ribbons that cloaked much of her form, but managed to leave her flank bare.

“Trixie has no idea.” Trixie sighed. “If Trixie had her magic this would be over already. Instead we have to listen to them have a debate with no pony really paying attention.”

“That is true. Neither seems to have more than a cursory grasp of economic theory,” Al'Azhoof agreed. “But I am not here to bore you with that pointless debate. There is something more important at hoof. You are an alicorn.”

“Well, Trixie doesn't like to boast-”

“That is the most incredible damn lie anypony has ever told,” Koloth growled.

“-about that particular thing. Trixie does sometimes boast about other things.”

“Why have they not announced you?” Al'Azhoof asked. “This is a momentous occasion. To think, two alicorns appearing in my lifetime.”

“Two? What about Cadence?” Trixie raised an eyebrow.

“I am not so old,” Al'Azhoof laughed. “But this explains my dreams.”

“Your dreams?”

“It is my gift, my... talent.” Al'Azhoof's eyes unfocused. “In my dreams I can see the many possible futures, coming clearer as they near. A dark sun filling the sky with crimson light. Five falling stars. The dead walking among the living. The source of magic itself-” She stopped, blinking, eyes focusing on Trixie and Koloth again. “My dreams are not pleasant, but they have inspired much of my art. It is only right that you are here, tonight, to see this.” She looked back to the covered statue.

“What is it?” Trixie asked, suddenly interested.

“It is-” Al'Azhoof was cut off as the doors opened with a crash, an earth pony running into the room.

“Praxis! The Princess is here!”

***

“This is thy list of demands?” Luna asked, taking a scroll from the shivering pony before her. She had come with only a token number of guards.

“Y-yes, your highness. But, um, where is Celestia? We-”

“Are we not more than sufficient? Do thou think that we are somehow lesser than our sister?” Luna glared down at the pony, narrowing her eyes. “Thou makest a grave error if thou thinks such, Inkie Pie.”

Inkie gasped and fell to her knees. “How did you know who I am?! I'm wearing a mask!”

“We have seen thy dreams, foal! All that thou are is laid bare before us!”

“Oh, Princess! I didn't- I didn't know you were... like that.” Inkie blushed. “I-I mean I'm flattered but I sort of have somepony I already like and, you know, I wouldn't want to abandon him even if it is for a Princess.”

“...That is not what we meant!” Luna said, groaning. She opened the list of demands. “So thou demand... two bunches of celery, a pound of carrots-”

“It's on the other side! I was running out of parchment so I put it on one of my old grocery lists.”

“'Tis insulting. A thousand years ago, should any pony dare to made demands on a Princess we would have them flung into the sun! Why, our sister had a huge catapult built for just such a need! And it worked perfectly, save the time we attempted to throw a sun-eating monster into her sun. And when we attempted to throw Discord into the sun and he returned on fire and extremely upset.” Luna tapped her chin. “We do so miss the sun launcher. We must find out if our sister has kept it in good repair. 'Tis a source of so many fond memories.”

“M-ma'am, I should warn you, um, we're- they're holding everypony hostage with a bomb. So if you try to go in, they'll set it off.” Inkie Pie scraped at the dirt with a hoof. “This totally isn't worth the extra credit.”

Luna tossed the list aside. “We need do nothing. Tell thy leader that he is already defeated.”

“I was thinking, um. I might not go back.” Inkie coughed. “This really got out of hoof. It was just supposed to be a peaceful protest. Then there were crossbows and things kinda got nuts.”

“'Twould be wise on your part. Thou must see, he has not merely locked the hostages in with himself. He has locked himself in with my finest soldiers!”

***

“We are the worst soldiers ever,” somepony groaned. Durin snorted, lying still. The tiny net had completely immobilized him.

“Don't lump me in with you. If I could get free they'd be in real trouble!” Durin tried to shake the net free to no avail.

“Sir, it... it doesn't even cover your whole body. Can't you just take it off?”

“Hah! Of course he can't!” One of the masked ponies laughed at Durin and the other soldiers that were tied up in the back storage room of the museum. “You see, making and using nets is my special talent, and I can tell you right now that the tiny net is inescapable!”

The unnamed bat pony looked at Durin, then the masked pony. “What? That doesn't make sense. Look, I'm still tied up and I'm pretty sure I could get that off him with my damn teeth.”

“Hah! You'd just be caught in the inescapable grip of the tiny net!” The masked pony laughed loudly.

“I don't... what?” The bat pony gave him a look, then womed over to Durin and grabbed the edge of the net with his teeth. “Ook! I c'n git this obb him right now...”

“Don't! You're just going to get caught like I was!” Durin said, struggling to get away from the bat pony.

The bat pony pulled, and the net came free, because it was just a tiny net. Durin and the masked pony gasped in surprise.

“How did you do that?!” The masked pony asked, stepping back.

“It's not even big enough to use as a tablecloth!” The bat pony exclaimed, exasperated. “It could barely catch a cat!”

“Time t' give him a taste of his own medicine,” Durin said, standing up. “Only instead of his own medicine, which is nets, I'm gonna knock his teeth in with m' hooves.”

“I really need to get transferred to another unit,” the bat pony muttered.

***

“This ends now!” Koloth shouted. “You!” He pointed to Platinum Star. “You can't run a large economy on a barter system, and you can't just pick and choose when government intervention happens!”

“Hah!” Babbidi smirked.

“And you!” Koloth turned on her. “Trickle-down economics is a pipe dream!”

“Oh...” Babbidi looked down.

“Thank you!” Trixie sighed. “Now, can we please get back to the part where my old coltfriend wants to blow up his new marefriend for some reason?”

“It's not to blow her up!” Praxis snapped. “We need to do this to get the attention we deserve! But blowing you up would be-”

“Pointless,” Trixie said. “Trixie is immortal, probably.” She said the last part under her breath. “Trixie has survived far worse than mere giant explosions.”

“It would still make me feel better,” Praxis mumbled.

It was right then that somepony burst into the room. A few ponies prostrated themselves as Princess Celestia walked in, Lucky Strike and Ingrid flanking her.

“It's the princess!” Praxis gasped.

Platinum narrowed her eyes. “No. It's an impostor.”

“I am far from an impostor, child.” Celestia said, looking down at them. “If you want to have a real discussion on political policy we can have it at the palace after you have surrendered yourselves to the best guard unit in Equestria. Or the ones who have been posted here, since they are closer. Now cease this foolish behavior at once or I will have to use alicorn death magic at you.”

“Definitely an impostor. Reveal yourself!” Platinum struck a pose and jumped onto the snack table to give herself some height.

“How does everypony always know?” Celestia grumbled before vanishing in a wash of green fire, replaced with Mandi's chitinous form.

“To be honest you're just rubbish at disguises,” Lucky said. “I told you it wouldn't work.”

“Shut up,” Mandi groaned.

The doors on the other side of the room burst open, and the remainder of Trixie's troops burst into the room, led by Durin. A few carried one very-embarrassed thestral on their shoulders like a conquering hero.

“Hold it right there!” Durin shouted. “Yer all under arrest!”

“Hah! And now you see how the system works!” Praxis shouted over the growing din. “They act like they want to be reasonable and while you're distracted with their sweet words they try to trick you and then use brute force when that fails!”

“Keep back! He has a bomb!” Babbidi yelled, halting Durin.

“That's right! I have a bomb!” Praxis looked down at himself, as if he'd forgotten the explosives had been there. “And I'm going to use it, too! Everypony back off!”

“It's obvious to me now,” Platinum Star said, tossing her mane dramatically. “There's only one way that I can get you to listen to me and remember what I've said.”

“By blowing them up!” Praxis surmised.

“No. I must defeat your leader in honorable single combat.” Platinum pointed a hoof at Trixie. “If I defeat an alicorn, it will prove the strength of my justice!”

“Weren't you the one arguing that raw power is an unfair method of determining right to rule?” Babbidi asked.

“Hah! As if you could defeat her!” Ingrid snorted. “She is a predator! I have taught her how to think and feel as a griffon, and you have no chance of beating her, for her heart beats with that strength!”

“Oh man this is gonna be good. Does anypony have popcorn?” Mandi looked around.

“Hold on, Trixie did not agree to this,” Trixie protested, as her soldiers started cheering her on and the unicorn nobility nodded with approval at the idea. “And why does everypony challenge Trixie to duels? Trixie only did that once and she regrets it!”

“It's definitely karma,” Babbidi replied.

“Maybe you can be the Princess of Being Forced Into Duels,” Koloth suggested.

“Trixie doesn't even have magic. Trixie can't just fight her with bare hooves!”

“Bare hooves is exactly how we will fight!” Platinum Star interjected. “It is the way true earth ponies fight! No magic, no flying, just the strength and endurance that comes with leading the hard and noble life of somepony who works with their hooves instead of cheating!”

Trixie glared at her. “You're stupid. This is stupid. I'm not going to-”

“Take this! Justice Kick!” Platinum Star jumped down at Trixie, a hoof smashing into her armored chest. To most ponies, the kick would have been a pretty solid one, maybe even enough to knock them out with a single blow.

Trixie, however, was getting distressingly used to being used as a punching bag, and Platinum Star's attack was pretty pathetic compared to the rib-shattering blows she'd suffered when she'd fought the Nightmare. Not only that, but as an alicorn, she was naturally much tougher than she had been as a mere unicorn.

Consequently, Platinum Star's kick didn't have quite the effect that the mare had hoped. Trixie hadn't even been knocked back an inch. Trixie raised an eyebrow and looked at her. The mare started to sweat, still frozen in her kicking pose as if she expected Trixie to fall over dramatically and explode.

Trixie calmly used a hoof to push Platinum's leg down, then stepped closer, looking the mare in the eyes. After a few uncomfortable moments the mare blinked.

Trixie slugged her on the jaw.

“W-what?!” Platinum was forced back a few paces, falling back into Praxis' hooves. “You hit me!”

“What's wrong with that? We're fighting! And with all the complaining you've been doing about alicorns Trixie thought you might need something real to complain about! All you seem to like to do is complain and make stupid speeches!”

“What?! I'm not that petty!” Platinum shrugged off Praxis' hooves and stepped forward. As she did, Trixie slapped her with the back of her hoof, striking her other cheek. Platinum groaned and stumbled to the side. “That's twice! Even my own father never hit me!”

“Then he was too easy on you,” Trixie said, looking down her nose at the mare. “You can't be a real hero like Trixie if you aren't willing to take a few lumps.”

“I'll show you lumps!” Platinum Star spun around, rapidly kicking at Trixie with a barrage of machine-like speed and precision. Trixie tried to get away, but took a painful kick to her snout.

“Trixie! Remember your CQC training!” Koloth shouted.

“What?! Trixie was never trained in that!” Trixie screamed, ducking under another wild kick from Platinum Star.

“Who was supposed to train her in that?” Koloth whispered back to the other officers.

“You were, sir,” Lucky replied.

“Damn.” Koloth coughed, raising his voice. “Trixie! Improvise!”

“You are terrible at giving advice!” Trixie screamed, before ducking and weaving. Platinum Star's attack faltered as Trixie stopped just trying to back away and pressed forwards with a low stance, shifting her weight from one side to the other and bobbing her head, her shoulders almost moving through a figure-eight as she got in Platinum's face.

Platinum kicked at Trixie but underestimated her motion, the kick missing her head and leaving her flank open as Trixie punched it, her hoof striking in a left hook with bone-crunching force. Platinum Star gasped as her armor crumpled, the light silver armor far less sturdy than what the actual guards wore.

“What in Tartarus was that?!” Koloth shouted. “I thought she didn't get any CQC training!”

“Neg,” Ingrid grinned, as much as a beak allows grinning. “But I did teach her some griffon combat drills as part of her flight training. That motion is supposed to strengthen one's core muscles and especially the wing base for high speed turns, aff? But on the ground it makes one almost impossible to hit, especially for somepony who has never fought a griffon.”

Platinum Star staggered away, her flank hitting the drink table as she lost her balance. It toppled over, Platinum going with it. The crystal punchbowl shattered as it hit the ground, bright red punch spilling across the marble floor.

“Platinum!” Praxis screamed, running to her side.

Trixie looked at her hoof. “Trixie didn't think she hit her that hard.”

Platinum struggled to her hooves. “Y-you took me off guard there.” She pushed Praxis away and reached back, unclipping a strap and letting her armor fall free. She cracked her neck. “I see I'm going to go all out if I want to really beat you.”

“...Look, Trixie is flattered, but while she appreciates that getting naked would undoubtedly help you against some opponents, Trixie is not in the mood.”

“This isn't just regular armor. It's weighted training armor.” Platinum took a deep breath then started moving, circling Trixie with more grace and speed than she'd shown before. “It weighs as much as a hundred standard reference pears, and without it, I'm much faster.”

“Is weighted- Koloth, is weighted training armor even a real thing?” Trixie looked back over her shoulder.

“No!” Koloth snorted.

“Trixie didn't think so.” She turned back to Platinum just in time to catch a hoof to the jaw that made her see stars. She fell back a step. “What was that?! She didn't have that much power before...”

“In fighting, speed is power,” Platinum said, narrowing her eyes. Her hoof flicked up again, a jab with a motion like flicking her wrist, three quick blows landing almost at the same time. There wasn't much strength behind them, but it left Trixie wide open as she instinctively tried to protect her right side, leaving her left open as Platinum spun into a roundhouse kick that knocked Trixie back onto her hind legs.

“Trixie!” Babbidi shouted. The alicorn's wings flipped out, her balance returning in an instant.

“I'll show you that pegasai and unicorns have their own weaknesses,” Platinum said, stepping quickly to the side and throwing a jab at Trixie's flank. Trixie's eyes went wide as her hoof impacted Trixie's wing, the blow far more painful than she expected. It almost went numb, Trixie escaping back and flapping the wing to try and stop the hurt.

“Oh, right...” Lucky muttered. “Trixie! Don't get hit in the wings! It really sucks!”

“TRIXIE KNOWS THAT NOW, THANK YOU!” Trixie shouted. Her night guards were literally the worst possible ponies at giving advice.

“If you were really a pegasus, that would have shattered the bones,” Platinum said, calmly. “They're fragile, they don't have any real endurance, and the wings make most of their body a weak spot.”

“Trixie is... far tougher than a mere pegasus,” she said, wincing as she folded the wing back to her side. “That's nothing compared to the time Trixie fought a giant magically-animated golem made of ooze!”

“Oh! Oh!” Babbidi raised a hoof. “She's talking about my Smooze creature! Yeah, I totally almost killed her with it.”

“This isn't the time, Babbidi,” Koloth muttered.

“If it's nothing then you won't mind a few more,” Platinum said, throwing out another flicker jab into Trixie's wing. Trixie squeaked with pain, the jab forcing the strangled sound out of her. She saw the next one coming and turned her body to avoid it, only to catch a hook to her other wing.

“Stop it!” Trixie groaned, trying to get away. Platinum Star kept at her comfortable range, faster on her hooves than Trixie was. Another flurry of jabs hit, striking her chin and wings, shifting targets every time she tried to block them, Platinum roaring as her blows fell faster and faster.

Trixie winced as another blow caught her wing. She had to find a way to counter the attack, but every time she got hit, the pain made her hesitate for a moment. She ducked in close to try and get within Platinum's longer reach, but just caught another blow from her hoof.

“Trixie! I told you not to get hit in the wings!” Lucky shouted. Trixie's eye twitched, but at the sound of his voice she had a sudden insight. She'd seen Lucky and Ingrid, ah, wrestling, and she'd gone after his wing. Instead of just trying to get out of the way, he'd used the strong muscles there to counter it.

Trixie guarded her face with a hoof and turned slightly, presenting a tempting target on her left side. Platinum predictably went for it, and just as she moved, Trixie extended her wing straight out, pushing the hoof aside and catching Platinum off balance.

In that fraction of a second, Trixie stepped in close, slamming her hoof into Platinum's face with enough force to send her sprawling. Her troops cheered, and Trixie stepped back, waiting for Platinum to get back up. The mare's mouth was bloody, her lip split, and she gave Trixie a glare as she stood.

“You're pretty strong, I admit, but as an agent of justice, I will never fall to a monster like you.” Platinum wiped the blood from her mouth with the back of her hoof and faced off against Trixie. “That was only a lucky shot.”

“It's not lucky. Trixie just isn't stupid.” Trixie smirked and shrugged her shoulders, loosening up. Then she got in close, bobbing and weaving as she had before, trying to catch Platinum from the side. To her surprise, as she bobbed, Platinum reared up, then came down. With too much momentum gained from moving her shoulders in such a tight circle, Trixie couldn't change direction, Platinum's hoof catching her right at the base of her horn.

Trixie gasped as everything went white. The next thing she knew, she was face-first down on the marble floor, and her head was pounding.

“Ugh...” She tried to stand, and everything was swimming around her. She failed twice before making it all the way back to her hooves.

“The unicorn horn is a source of weakness,” Platinum said, from somewhere. Trixie couldn't focus well enough to spot her, and her ears were ringing. “One good hit and even an alicorn is down for the count.”

“Come at Trixie when she can use magic and she'll show you what this horn can really do,” Trixie said, wincing at her own voice. Just talking was painful from the shots to her jaw and the growing headache she was developing.

“Give up. You can't beat me. You're so used to cheating that you don't stand a chance in a fair fight like this.”

“This is hardly a fair fight,” Trixie shook her head, clearing her vision enough that she could focus on Platinum Star. “Trixie is just humoring you with a barehooves brawl like this.”

“Humoring me.” Platinum frowned, growing genuinely angry, even more than she had when Trixie had hit her. “That's all the alicorns ever do. Humor us earth ponies and our quaint ways. We aren't upper-class enough to be treated like the unicorns, who control fashion and the media and the government. We aren't even good enough to be like the pegasai, who all but control the entire military and determine the weather schedule. The weather schedule that directly determines how well the earth ponies, who slave away in fields to feed Equestria, can do their jobs. They control us entirely and there's nothing we can do except this. We work with our hooves, and so we have to free ourselves from bondage with those same hooves.”

The speech gave Trixie time to recover. She looked between Platinum and Praxis. If she took down Platinum, would Praxis even hesitate before setting off the bomb strapped to his barrel? If she lost, though... the Great and Powerful Trixie just couldn't let herself lose to a mare like this.

“Trixie should warn you. She has only been fighting at... at... ten percent of her true power!” Trixie flared her wings out dramatically, pegasus magic making her cape billow dramatically. She had pulled the number completely out of her plothole, just like the plothole of why Celestia hasn't intervened yet.

“Ten percent?!” Platinum Star was taken aback.

“That's... right!” Trixie coughed. “Trixie has been holding back so much because she was afraid of hurting all of the others here!” She gestured to the hostages. “At full strength, the mere shockwave from Trixie's blows would put their lives in danger!”

“I am impressed,” Platinum Star admitted. “But this isn't my final form either!”

“Your- what?” Trixie blinked.

“Yes, I have a deep reservoir of power that I have locked away. I thought I wouldn't need to use it but it seems that I definitely will. Yes. Definitely.” A bead of sweat made its way down her face.

“...You're bluffing.” Trixie narrowed her eyes.

Platinum roared and charged. Trixie braced herself and turned a blow to her face aside with a quick turn of her head, rolling with the punch. As she moved, she swept her wing out and buffeted Platinum Star in the face with it, making her cough and sputter as down feathers got in her mouth. Trixie threw another punch, and depite the distraction, Platinum was just too fast, getting out of the way.

“You can't beat my instincts,” Platinum Star said. “I've been training for years for a fight like this.” Trixie frowned and watched her stance, looking for an opening. There wasn't one, and every time Trixie moved she felt Platinum watching her, like she was telegraphing her moves.

Then Trixie smirked. She couldn't beat the mare's instincts or her fighting skill. And like Platinum had accused, she wasn't good at a fair fight.

Trixie blinked and dropped her guard, freezing and looking to the side. Platinum couldn't stop herself. Her gaze was drawn like a magnet to follow Trixie's, to the side. Where there was nothing except the crowd watching them.

Then the hoof impacted her chin from below, and everything went black.

***

“Somepony check to make sure Trixie didn't kill her,” Trixie ordered, rubbing her hoof. She'd held back a little but she'd still hit her so hard the mare's jaw was probably broken.

“W-what was that?!” Praxis demanded. Trixie turned on him, looking down her nose at the crippled unicorn. Her injuries from the fight were already healing, blue magic crawling across her skin like rippling static, bruises vanishing in its wake.

“Your marefriend was right,” Trixie said. “Her instincts were incredibly sharp. It's how she was able to keep up with Trixie The Great and Powerful and Undefeated Champion of Equestria. But those instincts were her undoing!” Trixie smirked. “She was watching Trixie closely, so when Trixie looked away, she had to do the same. Her instincts forced her to look away, leaving herself open.”

“You tricked her!” Praxis shouted.

“Trixie beat her, bare hooved, just as she asked. Now since she said she was going to surrender, let's get rid of that bomb and you can go quietly to the dungeons.” Trixie held out a hoof for the bomb. Praxis looked down at Platinum and, sighing, took the alchemical rig off his back.

“It's just wrong... we try to do something good and, and you twist it around.” Praxis muttered. “We only lost because you cheated. It shouldn't count. It doesn't count! IT DOESN'T COUNT!” He grabbed the red cord and pulled.

“No!” Trixie shouted. As he pulled it, a thin glass vial shattered and released its contents into the arming chamber, alchemical components mixing inside the bomb casing. It started hissing and ticking like a living thing.

“WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!” Praxis shouted. “I WON'T LET YOU WIN!”

“Trixie, we have only seconds before it goes off!” Babbidi yelled. Trixie looked at her and nodded, a moment of clarity passing between them. She grabbed the bomb, shoving Praxis back, and spread her wings, taking off and shooting through the skylight above. As she cleared the anti-magic field of the museum, her wings started to spark with energy, and the bomb rumbled in her hooves.

Trixie threw it at hard as she could, but it was only scant feet away when it exploded into shrapnel and fire. Trixie felt something catch her wing, the feathers tearing and a bone breaking as she flapped wildly, the shockwave knocking her out of control.

Trixie screamed, closing her eyes. The ground was always trying to kill her. Sometimes it was sharp rocks, sometimes it was mud monsters, but today it was just gravity and cobblestones and it was still going to suck. The wind rushed past her and she impacted something warm and soft.

“Thou can open thy eyes. We have thou now.”

Trixie opened her eyes and looked into Luna's smiling face.

“We had great confidence that thou would be able to handle this situation on thy own.”

“Luna,” Trixie breathed, relaxing in her grip. “Trixie has been having a terrible night. They wouldn't stop talking about strawman economics.”

“Ah, I see,” Luna said, guiding her down for a landing. “What of the situation inside?”

“Things are handled, of course.” Trixie snorted. “But Luna, if Trixie could ask a favor?”

“Of course, Palatine.”

“Most of them got roped into it by the two leaders. Trixie would be grateful if you would show mercy to their foolish minions and perhaps only give them community service instead of throwing them in the dungeon.” She stumbled, suddenly tired, and Luna caught her.

“Of course, Palatine.” Luna hugged her abruptly, throwing a wing over her. “Thy plea for mercy shows great progress. In the past, thou would not have been so forgiving to thy enemies. It is a hard thing to learn, to forgive those that wrong you.”

“Trixie-” before Trixie could finish, Luna kissed her. She froze eyes opening wide, just as she was assailed by rapid strobes of light.

From all the cameras. Of all the reporters that had gathered once word of the hostage situation had gotten out. The reporters who were getting pictures of Luna kissing her. While her cloak was shredded from the explosion and her wings were on full display. A display that a pegasus would call rather lewd, but that was something that wasn't on Trixie's already-full mind at the moment.

She was going to be in a lot of trouble.

***

Al'Azhoof sighed and walked to her covered statue.

“Well, it appears my unveiling party was not quite as pleasant as I hoped, but perhaps as it is said, any press is good press.” She grabbed the edge of the dropcloth covering the statue with her teeth and pulled, revealing it.

The statue that she had donated to the museum, the piece that was the centerpiece of her exhibit, flapped its wings slowly. The white marble, shot through with veins of silver, was in the shape of a slim alicorn. It was illuminated with blue light from all sides emanating from unseen sources, and hung in the air without regard for gravity. While the face was only a suggestion of serene shapes, there was no mistaking the shape of the mane as anything but the young alicorn it resembled, even if the tiara on the statue didn't exist. Or at least, hadn't yet been forged.

Al'Azhoof smiled up at it.

“Perhaps I should rename it 'Great and Powerful'...”

***

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

Don't read the newspapers. They are all lying liars who lie and don't understand anything. Trixie definitely didn't kiss Princess Luna, and if somepony said she did they are mistaken.

Also Trixie definitely learned things about friendship like how you should always forgive ponies who are sorry especially when nothing they personally did was wrong, and if Trixie did do something wrong she would definitely be sorry about it and beg forgiveness.

Trixie hopes you'll be able to make it to the gala being held for Princess Celestia's vacation and, now, Trixie's introduction to the nobility. Celestia had the party repurposed so quickly and smoothly that ponies might think it was always meant to happen like this. Trixie admires her ability to improvise.

As an aside, Trixie also learned that she hates economic theory.

Yours,

Trixie Lulamoon

PS: Please don't send Trixie books on economic theory.

Author's Note

Sorry this took a bit longer than normal. I've been doing a lot of serious planning for future projects and stories. This also just took a surprising amount of time to write! I admit, my new job has been taking up a lot of my time and energy. But the good news is, we're nearing the end of this short little story.

Next Time: Explosions, Twilight Sparkle, Even More Explosions, and Party Time.

White, Turn 4: White Queen Takes F7

Scholar's Mate
White, Turn 4: White Queen Takes F7
By MagnetBolt

“TRIXIE!” Twilight shouted, the doors to Canterlot palace slamming open so hard they nearly tore from their hinges. Thankfully, only last year Celestia had had them reinforced after they had, in fact, been torn from their hinges by Luna, after the younger sister had completely misjudged how strong griffon wine was and thought the huge doors had been mocking her.

“Princess, please calm down-” one of the royal guards said, stepping away from his post to speak to her. Twilight shot him a look that came very, very close to turning him to stone – and not like the look Queen Chrysalis had given him that had only turned part of him to stone. He backed away, cowed so thoroughly that he felt an urge to moo.

“TRIXIE! GET OUT HERE!”

***

“Hm.” Celestia looked up at the sun, though of course she knew exactly where it was, in the same way she knew where her hooves were. “It's about quarter after seven, and given how long it takes for newspapers to be printed and distributed, she must have teleported all the way from Ponyville. She's definitely upset.”

“Sister, it just occurred to me that I need to check on something. On the moon.” Luna glanced back. “It will take at least two hours.”

“Make it three,” Celestia suggested. Luna nodded and vanished into the shadows.

***

Twilight grabbed a silver tail with her magic and yanked, pulling Trixie from where she'd been hiding underneath the bed. Not Luna's bed, thankfully, though that had been where Twilight had looked first. If she had been there, it's likely there would be significantly less castle and significantly more crater. Trixie just seemed to have that effect on ponies.

“G-good morning, Twily,” Trixie said, only shaking a little. Twilight glared at her, holding her suspended in midair by her tail high enough that they were looking into each others eyes.

“You are in a LOT of trouble!” Twilight growled, shoving a newspaper in Trixie's face. The front page showed her and Luna kissing. “I thought I could trust you and clearly that was a bad idea and I should have listened to Rainbow Dash all along when she said you were a player, and not the hoofball kind!”

“It wasn't my fault!” Trixie said, waving her hooves and not even referring to herself in the third person. “Luna kissed me without permission! It's all her fault!”

“You sure aren't fighting her off,” Twilight noted, looking at the picture again.

“Trixie had just been exploded and was still recovering from a bare-hooved fight to the death against a charismatic and intelligent terrorist.” Trixie folded her front hooves. “Trixie was barely able to see straight and Luna caught Trixie when Trixie was blown out of the sky. Then she kissed Trixie without permission!”

Twilight narrowed her eyes, still fuming.

“A-and Trixie is... sorry?” Trixie said, trying a small smile. “And she promises not to ever do it again, and officially declares as a future princess of Equestria that Twilight Sparkle is a better kisser than Luna!”

“...If you get that signed into law I might forgive you,” Twilight said, managing to crack a small smile despite the tears in her eyes. She let Trixie go, and the mare fell face-first to the stone floor of her room, landing with a grunt and taking a few minutes to get up, her horn getting stuck in the ground after the awkward landing.

“Trixie is...” she grunted, finally freeing herself with a shower of sparks. “Trixie would never want to hurt you, Twilight. Trixie is sorry about letting Luna do that.” She pulled Twilight closer, wrapping her wings around the mare.

“Good, because if you did, I'd blast you into orbit,” Twilight said. Trixie wasn't sure if it was a joke or not. Twilight had solved the vast majority of the problems in her life by blasting them with huge amounts of magical power, and Trixie was wise enough now to know that Twilight had the strength to do exactly what she'd threatened, and that Trixie lacked the strength to do anything about it.

“B-but Trixie has good news too! Since everypony knows Trixie is an alicorn now, it means she isn't going to be confined to the castle! Probably! Trixie hasn't actually asked about this or confirmed it with anypony but it seems like a logical assumption.”

“That's... possible,” Twilight admitted. “But-”

“And like Luna said last night after she brought Trixie to her bedchambers, ponies will get used to things and within a week or two they'll forget about everything that happened.”

“They do seem to stop discussing events as soon as something else comes up,” Twilight admitted. In the back of her head, something tickled at her awareness, just before the rest of what Trixie had said managed to come to her attention. “Her BEDCHAMBERS?!”

***

Feather Duster refilled Princess Celestia's teacup. The Princess had decided to take her tea out on a little-used balcony today, instead of her private chambers or meeting room. It was somewhat unusual, but nopony would question the Princess and Feather Duster just assumed she wanted a change of scenery. She was going to be taking a vacation soon, after all, so she obviously desired time away from the minutiae of her daily life.

Celestia looked up at the sun. “Let's see. It should be right about now...” There was a pause. Feather Duster looked around, wondering if she should ask what the Princess meant. Then a window exploded above them, a blue mare careening out of a burst of purple fire and trailing smoke from smoldering hair.

Feather Duster's jaw dropped as the mare crashed head-first into a stone fountain, sending up a spray of water and a plume of steam. Glass rained down around her, a shield of golden magic protecting her and the Princess.

“That was a few seconds longer than I expected,” Celestia said, absently. “Twilight's really starting to mature. Maybe in a few years she'll stop causing explosions altogether.”

***

Trixie wrung out her mane with magic as she walked through the door. A maid grabbed a towel, about to run over to help, but the look on Twilight's face made her veer off to the side and hide behind a chest-high planter of ivy instead. She had worked in the castle long enough to know that sometimes it was best to just stay out of the way. She'd also learned not to get within groping distance of Blueblood after he'd had wine, but that lesson didn't apply today.

“You set Trixie on fire!”

“I already apologized for that, even though you definitely deserved it.”

“We just had coffee and talked about the ball!” Trixie yelled. “We didn't do anything inappropriate!”

“And I apologized!” Twilight repeated. “It wasn't a really big fireball anyway.”

“It was a Nazca Flare! That's a high-level combat spell!”

“I was really upset, okay?!” Twilight groaned. “I've been really upset ever since I saw that picture.”

“Trixie wouldn't have guessed from the way that half of the palace wards were shattered when you decided a magical assault was a better idea than just asking Trixie what was going on.”

“It's just...” Twilight sighed, her head lowering as she seemed to almost shrink. Trixie stopped as she almost collapsed against a planter with a terrified maid hiding behind it. “I haven't seen you in weeks. We haven't even really been able to get on a proper date and I'm worried you don't really...” she trailed off. Trixie gave her a moment, then stepped closer and awkwardly wrapped a wing around her.

“For such a smart pony you're stupid sometimes,” Trixie huffed. “Trixie isn't the sort who just chases after a nice plot.” She looked into Twilight's eyes. “I like you. Ever since our first duel I was obsessed with you, for better or worse, because we're so alike. I made a lot of mistakes and did things I regret, and when I'm around you it's like I can see what I'd be like if...” she sighed. “If I'd been a better pony.”

“Trixie, you're not a bad pony,” Twilight said, looking up sheepishly.

“Oh, you're saying that now, after blasting Trixie out of a window?”

Twilight blushed a bright red.

“Trixie will forgive you this time, because she is the Forgiving and Magnanimous Trixie.” She smiled. “Besides, Trixie will never be able to find another pony who can rival her power and wit.”

“Even if I explode you sometimes?”

“Trixie is rapidly getting used to being exploded.”

Twilight sighed and leaned into Trixie. “Good. Because I'd hate to have to find another special somepony. You're the only one I know who understands even some of what I say about magic. Except Celestia, I guess, but half of the time I think she's just humoring me while I talk instead of really listening to what I have to say...”

“You're rambling again,” Trixie said. “You always do that when you're worried or excited. Trixie has decided it's cute. And she knows how to stop you.” Trixie leaned in and kissed Twilight softly. The maid behind the planter started breathing heavily. She was not trained for this. As the two pressed closer to each other, Feather Duster kept her eyes closed tightly. The noises and muttering slowly became more intimate before there was, thankfully, an interruption.

“Ah! I see thou hath forgiven my Palatine!” There was a sound of two ponies who had been far too close to been seen in public pulling away from each other quickly. The maid crawled from behind the planter and tried to get away, far away, glancing back to see Princess Luna advancing on the two with a smile on her face.

“Luna!” Twilight said, surprised. Then surprised gave way to anger. “You've got a lot of explaining to do!”

“...Thou still seems upset. Perhaps I shall leave and allow thou to continue. I shall return after thou hath had time to-” Luna made a high-pitched sound as her mane was grabbed with dark pink magic, dragging her forward.

“Oh no, you and I are going to talk right now!” Twilight stomped a hoof. “You were kissing my marefriend!”

“'Twas merely a chase kiss of thanks!” Luna protested weakly, giving Twilight a nervous smile.

“A chase kiss is not on the lips and doesn't involve nearly that much tongue!” Twilight snapped.

“Please do not blow me up,” Luna said.

“I should,” Twilight grumbled, before letting go of Luna's mane. “But I won't.”

“You blew Trixie up and it wasn't even her fault!” Trixie complained.

“Are thou trying to get her to harm me! 'Tis not the proper thing for a guard to do!”

Trixie rolled her eyes. “Fine. Don't blow Luna up. Please.”

“I said I wouldn't,” Twilight said, kicking the planter.

“Good. 'Twould not be wise for we princesses to fight in front of the commoners.”

“What common-” Twilight and Trixie turned the way they hadn't been looking and saw the assembled crowd that were in line to make a petition to Celestia. The crowd that they must have, moments ago, been starting to get very intimate in front of.

“Oh no. They saw us...” Trixie blushed and paled at the same time, somehow. It was probably magic. “They saw us, um, together!”

“Hah! It reminds me of when I had a harem,” Luna said, wistfully. “Sometimes I would call them into the throne room in the middle of court. They had particular skill with-”

“Luna, I really, really don't want to know,” Twilight said, ears down and starting to go green.

“It's the new princess!” one of the ponies waiting in line yelled. Twilight perked up at that and turned to smile and wave. “Maybe she can get my zoning request approved!”

“And my request for extra funding for jam and jam accessories!”

“No, no, no!” Twilight waved her hooves. “I am not holding court! Um... I am not currently accepting proposals or giving grants or anything! Just- go ask Celestia! Or... go to night court!” She motioned at Luna. “She'll definitely listen to what you have to say! Just don't bring your marefriend, she might try to grope them!” She shot Luna a glare.

“If I bring my marefriend for her to grope, will that get my grant approved?” Asked a pegasus.

“No!” Twilight snapped.

“Yes!” Luna said, at the same time. She and Twilight shared a look. “I mean... no?”

“What about her?” A pony pointed at Trixie.

“She's not a princess!” Twilight groaned.

“But she's got wings and a horn!”

“That doesn't automatically make her a princess! She has to... she has to...” She tried to come up with an answer. “She has to finish... princess... school.” Twilight started to sweat. That was the worst excuse she'd ever come up with and even Applejack could have sold the lie better.

“Oh, that makes sense,” Somepony said, from the back of the crowd. Murmurs passed through the gathering and soon they were nodding in approval as if princess school was a real thing.

“Maybe we should go somewhere more private?” Trixie suggested.

“We could-”

“And not Luna's bedchambers,” Trixie quickly added.

***

Twilight looked over the list she'd been handed. “Celestia really expects you to be able to handle all of this while she's gone?” She looked up at Luna skeptically.

“'Tis no more than she handles. My sister managed all of this and more when I was... away. If she can keep Equestria together for a thousand years on her own, it will be an easy task with such formidable help as I find with thou and my Palatine.”

Twilight twitched a little at Luna calling Trixie hers.

“What will Trixie's status be after the gala?” Trixie asked. “Trixie obviously isn't a secret now.”

“That is an excellent question,” Celestia said, as she walked through the door, Feather Duster following at her heels with her teapot and a tray of delicate cups. “I admit this was not something that I had planned for precisely, but the timing is far from a disaster.”

“Celestia!” Twilight got up and ran over to her, nuzzling her mentor. “I'm really sorry about the front doors, and the windows I blew up, and-”

“Twilight, don't worry about it. As a crown princess of Equestria you have as much right to blow up the palace as I do.” Celestia laughed lightly. “About a century ago I ended up leveling half of the palace.”

“Really?” Twilight asked, tilting her head. Celestia nodded.

“It was right after the 900th Summer Sun Celebration,” Celestia said, as she settled down on a cushion. “I'd found nothing at all to save my sister, and spent the whole day surrounded by ponies who were constantly reminding me of the fact that I'd failed her. I was trying to get away from it and, well, I ended up walking into a part of the castle I usually avoided.”

“The dungeon?” Trixie guessed. Celestia gestured for Feather Duster to pour tea for four of them as she explained.

“It was fashionable now and again to present me a gift that depicted my so-called greatest victory over Nightmare Moon. I couldn't politely refuse them, so I had to accept them and keep them around for a time, then I'd find some excuse or another to put them into storage.” Celestia sipped at her tea and pointed to one of the paintings hanging on the wall. “Sometimes that meant having to pay for a new royal portrait, but it was bits well spent.”

She paused for a moment, looking at it closely. “That one makes my flank look too big, though. Maybe once things have quieted down we can all sit down for a royal portrait. Something more flattering.”

“Isn't that one by Reinbrandt?” Twilight asked.

“He was known for his accuracy, to my sister's dismay,” Luna said, covering a smile with a sip of tea. Celestia rolled her eyes.

“Unfortunately, putting things in storage means they're still around. And I ended up walking right into the room they'd started putting things. It was the last thing I wanted to see after a whole day of hearing ponies call my sister evil and not being able to do anything about it. I... lost control. Thankfully nopony was hurt, but the damage was extensive. Most of the castle had to be rebuilt.”

“...Is that why the south wing is a different color than the north wing?” Twilight asked.

“It's also why the castle staff all has extensive training on what to do in case of fire,” Celestia confirmed. “Now, as for Trixie...” She shot the mare a neutral look. “Most of our little ponies are going to be looking at you as if you were a Princess regardless of what I do, and Princess Luna has already rather publicly endorsed you.”

“You're going to make me a princess?!” Trixie gasped, eyes sparkling.

“...No.” Celestia said, closing her eyes and sipping her tea calmly. “I considered it. A few more years, and any scandals or discoveries about your past will have become old news. It will also give you time to learn the political landscape, whom to trust, whom to avoid...”

“Like Blueblood,” Twilight groaned, rolling her eyes.

“He's not that bad after a few drinks,” Luna said, quietly. Every eye in the room turned to look at her. “What? What?!”

“He's... never mind. Celestia, you said it yourself. Even if you don't do anything, ponies are going to think of her as a princess just because... you know. Wings and a horn.” Twilight waved a hoof at Trixie for emphasis.

“You're right, Twilight. And if I don't acknowledge that, the questions why I haven't will turn into rumors. Trixie, I'm going to make you a Marquise. It's a little below a Princess, so you won't have to be as careful in court, but high enough above most of the nobility that they'll have to start getting used to deferring to you.”

“Trixie will use her power only for good,” she promised, putting a hoof over her heart.

“Oh good,” Celestia said, smiling. “That means you'll be happy doing all of Luna's paperwork for her. You'll need to get used to the sort of red tape that goes along with power.”

“Paperwork?” Trixie paled a little.

“You'll love it!” Twilight said, gasping happily. “There's lists and forms and duplicate forms, and reference books, and everything is written in legalese which is almost its own language! It's like learning magic and how to read all over again!”

“That sounds awf-” Trixie looked at Twilight fantasizing about filling out a tax referral form and sighed. “It sounds like a learning experience.”

Luna leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Thou should delegate it to thy underlings. It is truly the real lesson to be learned.”

Trixie nodded slightly. Celestia just kept smiling, apparently not paying attention but obviously still listening. “The good news is, I did expect you to come, Twilight, so I made sure the tailor is ready for you. You might recognize the designs.” Her lips turned up slightly into a sly grin.

***

“These are Rarity's designs!” Twilight said, surprised, as she turned to look at the dress she was wearing, the tailor making a displeased noise and turning her head with a hoof so he could keep working on the collar and adjusting it for her longer neck.

“It should hardly be surprising,” Trixie said. “She is well-known as the Princess' favorite designer, and of course she'd jump at the chance to have her dresses seen at such an event.” Trixie hesitated. “Trixie hopes there are fewer explosions today. Trixie does not relish having to explain to her that her dresses are on fire.”

“Well, don't do anything that makes people want to blow you up, then.” Twilight huffed. “From what I hear you just keep making enemies. Even my brother doesn't seem to like you.” She yelped as the tailor pricked her with his needle as he tried to adjust the dress.

“Your brother wouldn't approve of anypony dating his little sister,” Trixie countered. “Trixie tried to get along with him.”

“He's protective. His cutie mark is a shield.” Twilight bit her lip. “And maybe once I was visiting him and I ended up saying a few things about you...”

“A few things?” Trixie raised an eyebrow.

“It was before the whole thing with Babbidi! He probably got the wrong impression. But looking back... I think Cadence might have seen things before I even knew about them. I mean she is the princess of love. Then again she also likes teasing me and told me once that Applejack and Rarity were seeing each other, but that was obviously wrong and I would know if that was true!”

“Trixie is not sure about that.”

“I know, right?” Twilight nodded. “I mean I see them almost every day, so if anypony would know if they were dating, it would be me.”

“...Trixie is going to agree with you instead of starting an argument where she will be blown up again.” The door opened, and Trixie turned to see Koloth and Babbidi walking in. She nodded as they saluted.

“Palatine, we came to discuss security arrangements at the...” Koloth hesitated. “Party. We'd like to avoid a repeat of the last time we had to stand on guard and try to keep the nobility from embarrassing itself.”

“Trixie just hopes that you can keep the crazy ponies with bombs away,” she joked. Twilight glanced back and froze.

“B-Babbidi?! Trixie, get down!”

***

“You blew up the tailor!” Trixie said, exasperated. “You were warning me about being careful with my power, and here you are blowing ponies up just because you got surprised!”

“How was I supposed to know she wasn't evil?!” Twilight pulled ruined silk from her back. “I thought it was some kind of... evil... revenge thing. I mean, you came back for revenge after what happened, so I just figured...”

“Princess, I would like to take this time to formally apologize to you,” Babbidi said. “I did things I regret, and they were pretty evil. I was good at it, too.” She looked wistful for a moment. “Anyway, I've turned over a new leaf now. Trixie is my commanding officer.”

Twilight frowned, considered her and Koloth, then leaned in to whisper into Trixie's ear.

“Trixie, be honest with me, are you the leader of a secret evil army and trying to overthrow the government? Because if you are-”

“Twilight!” Trixie blushed. “It's not like that!”

“It's really not!” Babbidi agreed, despite not having heard a single thing Twilight had whispered. “I mean she's cute and nice, but I'm into stallions.” She looked at Twilight's face. “That isn't at all what you were talking about, is it?”

“Princess, we aren't an evil army,” Koloth said. “And these idiots couldn't take over a coffee shop, much less Equestria.”

“Thank you, Koloth,” Trixie said. “I think.”

“Any time, Palatine.” He smirked.

“Twilight, you and Babbidi should talk. You have a lot in common.”

“We do?” Twilight asked.

“Oh certainly. An obsession with learning and obscure magic, never going outside...” Trixie laughed a little.

“Palatine, we still need to discuss security.” Koloth sighed. “As you'll be out mingling with the guests, you will be in even more danger than you normally are. Which is a considerable amount.”

“We'll be in the middle of the castle with a literal army around us,” Trixie said, waving a hoof. “It's not like this is some gathering of Trixie's enemies.” Koloth and Babbidi shared a look. Trixie saw it and frowned. “...This isn't a gathering of Trixie's enemies, is it?”

Koloth pulled a guest list out of his armor. Trixie held it in her magic and glanced over it.

“This is a gathering of Trixie's enemies.”

“What? You can't possibly have that many enemies.” Twilight took the list. “Let's see. Blueblood, of course. He shows up at everything where there's free food. Fleur and Fancy Pants. A few of the Wonderbolts, though they won't be performing...”

Trixie coughed nervously. “Trixie was once banned from performing in Canterlot. Blueblood, and Trixie refuses to use any title for somepony who has done so little to earn one, asked me for a private show and made it very clear I wouldn't need a hat or cape, if you get my meaning.”

“You didn't... did you?”

“No!” Trixie snorted. “Just because I get on stage doesn't mean that I'm for sale! Trixie put a curse on him and told him never to appear in front of her again!”

“What sort of curse?” Twilight tilted her head. “I mean, curses are sort of illegal. That's magical assault.”

“It was nothing serious.” She waved a hoof dismissively. “Trixie just made sure his horn was as limp as a wet noodle for, oh, a month. You know how it is with curses and the phase of the moon.”

Twilight nodded. “Well that's embarrassing but I had something like that happen with poison joke-”

“Both of his horns,” Trixie corrected. Twilight frowned, then her eyes went wide as she understood, a blush growing on her cheeks as Koloth and Babbidi laughed. “Trixie is told that he lost a marefriend because of that.”

“I can't say he doesn't deserve it,” Twilight admitted. “Fleur and Fancy Pants are nice, though, so-”

“Trixie... made a bad impression on them. There were fireworks involved, and then regular fire, and the papers said it took a long time for Fleur's mane to grow back... But the property damage was almost entirely covered by insurance!”

“Trixie how is it that you manage to cause so much chaos everywhere you go?!”

A voice came from above. “Did somepony say Chaos?”

“Not now...” Twilight groaned, as Discord appeared in midair, lounging on nothing.

“Oh don't be sore, Sparkle.” Discord grinned at her. “It's not my fault that you aren't best princess.” Twilight's horn flared, and Discord fell to the ground in a sprawl of tangled and mismatched limbs. “That was rude.”

“I'm having a bad day and the last thing I need is you making it worse!”

“Twilight, I exist only to brighten your day,” Discord said, standing and patting her on the head, with talons crossed behind his back. “Do you know I heard there's a wonderful party being planned and somehow, I misplaced my invitation?”

“You weren't invited,” Twilight said, shaking his paw away. “You should go visit Fluttershy. Or the moon. Or the statue garden. I heard you used to hang out there a lot!”

“I didn't think you approved of our relationship!” Discord batted his eyes. “Ah to think, a Princess blessing our little arrangement. Perhaps we should name our first child after you, whatever that child happens to be.”

“What?! No! Leave Fluttershy alone!”

“Fluttershy? I meant the moon!” A white orb appeared at Discord's side. He hugged it. “I know Luna has been in a committed relationship with her, but they're a lot less close than they were for the last thousand years. Don't tell her I said anything, but celestial bodies are easy on the rebound, if you know what I mean.”

“What do you want, Discord?” Twilight asked, as she rubbed the bridge of her nose and tried to calm herself.

“I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to be left out of such an important event!” Discord smiled and started bouncing the moon up and down, the moonlight flashing like a strobe. “Ever since Trixie came here it's really felt like home. Every day there's some new variety of chaos to enjoy! Not that you haven't been good at that yourself, Twilight, but it's like everypony she meets either wants to kill her or bed her. I suppose that's charisma for you though, always making a strong impression.”

“Trixie always has been proud of her ability to attract attention,” Trixie said as she brushed back her mane with a hoof.

“Oh, all sorts of attention,” Discord agreed. He caught the bouncing moon and gave it a kiss before tossing it away, casually flicking it out a window with his tail. “But you know, I could be very helpful. For example, perhaps a little last-minute damage control?” He snapped his talons, and Twilight's dress reappeared on her, the burned silk and cotton magically whole again.

“Well... that would be nice,” Twilight admitted.

“So if I help, I can come to your little party?” Discord grinned, looking innocent.

“...Fine, but it's going to be boring, so I don't see why you'll want to come. It won't be like one of Pinkie Pie's parties and Celestia and Luna aren't going to let you pull pranks on any of the guests.”

“Oh, I promise I'll be good! You won't even know I'm there!” Discord laughed. “I just want to see everypony's reaction!”

Twilight and Trixie shared a wary look. Twilight tilted her head. “I don't think Trixie will cause that much of a stir now that word got out to the media. The shock will have passed by then.”

“We'll see.” Discord smiled. “Now, I'm going to go and find myself something nice to wear. I don't want to be underdressed! The first thing to do is get rid of this birthday suit. It's getting worn around the edges.” He unzipped the scales along his front and stepped out of his own skin as a skeleton, revealing bare and mismatched bones, some mineralized, some old and cracked, and others bleached and perfectly clean. He handed his shed skin to Twilight. “If you see that tailor, tell him to see about letting out some of the seams. I think I'm starting to put on weight in my old age!” He gestured at his stomach. The place where his stomach would be. “Toodles!” He vanished in a burst of light. Twilight looked at the skin in her hooves and paled before dropping it, the skin disappearing as it hit the ground.

“Gross,” She said, ever the master of understatement.

“He did help with the dress, though,” Trixie admitted. “And Celestia suggested it would be acceptable for me to wear my armor to remind the nobility that Trixie has military rank now.”

“She probably hopes that the thought will frighten them into submission,” Koloth said.

Trixie rolled her eyes. “Trixie could order you to clean her armor yourself until it shines like a mirror.”

“You could,” Koloth admitted. “And if you ordered it, I'd do it. But I'd like to think we respect each other enough that you won't ask me to, and I won't have to tell you to go buck yourself.”

“What do you think he's up to?” Twilight asked. “There must be something...”

“Knowing Discord?” Trixie sighed. “He's probably going to find a way to turn it into a duel. Maybe I'll have to best Blueblood in a dance-off.”

Twilight giggled, then started laughing openly at the image that conjured up. “I'd pay to see that.”

***

“Is everything ready?” Cadence asked. The cloaked pony nodded, his muzzle glittering in the multicolored light of the room. Thirteen crystal ponies sat in a circle around a huge, dark crystal the size of a house. Something flickered in its depths like a flame.

“The containment procedures have multiple redundancies,” the pony said. “The books you brought back from Canterlot have helped immensely. Our previous methods were the state of the mystical art, but these are a thousand years more advanced.”

“Let's go over things from the top,” Cadence suggested. The figure nodded again.

“The primary containment is the crystal, of course. It's been magically reinforced and the matrix of the outer sheath is absolutely perfect to within the limit of our spells. The flaws deep within have been left in place as a circuit to contain... to contain the subject's power.” He stumbled over his words as he avoided saying the name.

“You can just say it. He can't hurt you.” Cadence said. “Sombra has been soundly defeated. That's not even him, anymore, but I don't think it was in the first place. It's something that can happen to alicorns, and he was so close to ascending that when he failed it happened to him, too.” She sighed and looked at the shadowy, indistinct form. “Total magical inversion. It consumed his body and mind until all that was left was the core of his power. Too much power to die by itself, but not quite enough to form a new stable body.” She raised a hoof as if to reach out to the crystal, but held back.

“Yes, Empress. The secondary containment on Sombra are the sigils carved into the floor, walls, and roof of the chamber. They're lined with orichalcum so that they cannot be magically transmuted or altered. Tertiary containment and active control is maintained by the thirteen sorcerers we've chosen for their ability to resist dark magic and, of course, loyalty to you, Empress.”

“Excellent.” Cadence grinned.

“Yes, Empress. We have also been studying the artifacts you brought us.” He waved a hoof, and two attendants approached with sealed boxes. Cadence opened them with her magic, revealing two magical amulets.

“Are we going to be able to use them?” Cadence asked.

“I believe so, Empress. The main limiting factors in the past were twofold. It was difficult to tap into Sombra's remaining power even with the focus you created using his remains.” Cadence touched her peytral. Within, part of Sombra's horn had been carved into a talisman as her first attempt to gain control over his dark magic. “We believe this is because despite his death and inversion, his magic is still contained by some remnant of his will, the same single-minded obsession that drove him to attack the Empire after the old failsafe failed.”

“I wouldn't say failed,” Cadence smiled. “From what you've told me, it was supposed to keep the Empire in stasis until a solution to Sombra could be found. It certainly did that.”

“Thank you, Empress,” the crystal pony bowed.

“Don't bow yet. Let's wait until I have ultimate cosmic power,” Cadence joked. “So his will was the first problem. And the second?”

“The second issue was holding onto his power. As you know, it was impossible to keep using his power for more than about ninety-nine minutes, even less in direct sunlight.”

“Ugh. Yes. Which made it impossible to use in any real productive way.” Cadence rolled her eyes. “I'd run out of steam before I even left the Empire.”

“Indeed,” the pony said. “But these artifacts should solve both problems.” He looked to the first amulet. “The Element of Dominance. Created by Princess Luna while she was possessed by the Nightmare. Its primary effect, when added to the containment ritual, should suppress Sombra's will, allowing you to control his power and perhaps mitigate some of the psychological effects.”

“There are no psychological effects!” Cadence snapped, her eyes glowing for a moment. “I was keeping things under control!”

“Yes Empress!” the pony said, backing away. “I didn't mean to imply otherwise!”

“No, don't...” She groaned and rubbed her head. “I'm sorry. I've been dealing with a lot. This whole thing with Trixie is driving me insane. And now Celestia wants to put Luna on the throne with her vacation. She was supposed to choose me! I've been helping her for decades! Luna only came back a few years ago and she knows nothing about modern politics!”

“Empress, calm yourself,” the crystal pony said, softly. Cadence nodded and took a few deep breaths.

“This means a lot to me,” Cadence said, quietly. “I can't stand this. I'm barely half as strong as Twilight, and she's no more than a foal. Something is obviously wrong with my magic, and I need to fix it. Otherwise they'll never respect me. Celestia will just keep treating me as a disappointing little secret that can't do anything by herself.”

“The refined ritual should help, Empress. Using Sombra's Alicorn Amulet, you can stay tapped into his magic from a distance. It was always designed to interact with his power, and we can use it as a focus to connect you using sympathetic magic.”

“And the time limit?”

“With his will suppressed with the Element, and being able to tap into it from a distance using the Amulet, even if there is still a time limit, it should be vastly extended and you should be able to reestablish the connection at will.”

“Excellent.” Cadence grinned. “Let's get started. I want to have a surprise ready for Celestia's going away party.”

***

Luna's eye twitched as she raised the moon. There, along the lunar highlands, almost exactly where the Mare In The Moon's horn would have been, were the imprint of a gigantic set of lips in bright red lipstick.

“DISCORD!”

White Declares Checkmate

Scholar's Mate
White Declares Checkmate
by MagnetBolt

Magical spotlights appeared, as curtains were thrust aside by powerful magical forces, revealing Trixie with her wings spread wide and dark armor glinting in the glow from above.

“COWER, BRIEF MORTALS! I am the Great and Powerful Trixie and- I don't know about the 'Cower' bit.” Trixie looked at the scroll again, then over to Twilight, the lighting snapping back to normal as Trixie dropped the illusion spells creating the spotlights. “Trixie suspects Luna may need to have a refresher course in modern speechwriting.”

“You have to admit it would get their attention,” Twilight said, sitting at one of the tables set before the stage. At Trixie's insistence, the ballroom had been set up more for a show than a royal proclamation.

“Yes, but Trixie has already had to explain to you that she isn't part of a secret evil conspiracy. Trixie is sure a room full of ponies that already have a grudge against her will absolutely love to hear her speaking down to them at the same time Luna is assuming total control of the court here.”

“That's... probably a good point,” Twilight admitted. “They don't know you as well as I do.”

“Trixie should hope not!” She turned up her nose at the thought. “Trixie does magic tricks, not the other sort.”

“I didn't mean-! Trixie! Don't tease me!”

“It's barely teasing considering I've had offers from some of the nobles that will be attending.” Trixie sighed and hopped off of the stage. “I'll have to improvise something. Though it goes against everything I've ever learned about stage presence I'll probably have to be... humble.”

“It would probably surprise them,” Twilight said, as she stood. The two walked out of the ballroom and towards the library.

“You know, we have a few hours before we have to really get ready for the party,” Trixie noted.

“I know. Maybe we'll have time to do some research on speech writing. I can see if we can-”

“Trixie has a better idea.” She bumped into Twilight, their cutie marks touching for a moment. Twilight blushed. “Since they don't need either of us for a while, we can go somewhere private and...” She leaned over and whispered something into Twilight's ear that made the alicorn's wings pop into painfully full extension near-instantly.

“But here? In the castle?” Twilight whispered.

“Why not? Trixie wants to give you something to dream about that will make Luna jealous.” She smirked. “Not that it will be difficult, since you're lucky enough to have the second-most attractive marefriend in all of Equestria.”

“Second-most?” Twilight raised an eyebrow.

“Trixie has the very best. You'll just have to settle for second place.” She nuzzled Twilight. “Now, I don't have a beak, but Ingrid gave me some ideas...”

***

Celestia opened the door to the library without bothering to knock. She'd learned from a decade of experience that trying to get Twilight's attention by knocking at the door was impossible, and Spike was still back in Ponyville, so there was no help there.

“Twilight, I was hoping I could get some input on what sort of music would be-” Something was wrong. Something was terribly wrong. There was a tangle of limbs on the bed, something was glowing with magic, and Celestia's mind, despite thousands of years of experience, was not prepared for what her former student was doing.

“Princess!” Twilight gasped, breathless. She was obviously exhausted from her exertion. “I- I must have lost track of time and...” Twilight struggled to free herself.

“No! No! I was just early and- I'm sorry!” Celestia's entire body turned bright pink as she covered her eyes with a wing, trying to shield herself from what she'd seen.

“Let me just- Trixie, get off!” There was a scraping sound as the bed itself shifted.

“That's what Trixie was trying to do when we were interrupted,” Trixie complained, before a pillow was thrown at her face hard enough to knock her off the bed entirely.

A few minutes later, after Celestia had managed to control herself, Twilight's panic attack had ended, and Trixie had regained consciousness, the three sat around one of the library's small tables, unable to look each other in the eyes.

“So,” Twilight said, coughing. “You wanted to talk about the music?”

“I did, but I'm afraid everything I was thinking about escaped when I saw... that.” Celestia coughed, starting to turn pink again. “I apologize. I didn't mean to walk in on you, or to imply that there's anything wrong with your relationship.” She cleared her throat, very obviously changing the subject. “The last time I tried to get into music, Twilight almost had a nervous breakdown,” Celestia said, smiling slyly.

“Trixie would like to hear how that happened.”

“I got her a recording of one of my favorite musicians,” Twilight said. “It was, um...” she blushed. “It was the Flavor Fillies. I was a teenager, okay? It was popular!”

“Let Trixie guess - Celestia became a huge fan, and this drove you to insanity.”

“That's fairly close,” Celestia laughed. “You see, I hadn't owned a record player before Twilight gave me that album, so I didn't have others to listen to. I ended up just letting it play over and over again in a loop. I remember Twilight was having a lesson with me on the basics of transmutation and started twitching about the third time it started over again. She got so flustered that she ended up bringing her lunch to life and making it rampage through the castle!” Celestia licked her lips. “It did taste better after having to hunt it down, though. Just don't tell Luna. She'd start casting a come to life spell on everything she ate.”

“I convinced her to buy more music so she'd have some variety,” Twilight grumbled. “It got better after she had enough that I didn't have to hear the same song twenty times a day, but I still can't listen to Flavor Fillies.”

“Mm. They were always a bit too much of a one-hit wonder for Trixie,” Trixie said. “Trixie heard they broke up after a scandal involving an entire pack of diamond dogs, but I suppose if it was a royal order we could have them perform a live showing of Twilight's favorite tunes as a reunion tour...” She batted her eyes playfully at Twilight.

“Don't you dare!” Twilight stood up, horrified.

“Calm down,” Trixie waved a hoof. “Trixie would assume that something more classical would play better with the audience.”

“That would probably be best. I admit I am out of touch with modern music,” Celestia said. “It all changes so quickly I rarely have time to keep up with it. For the most part I simply act as a patron to the arts, and give grants to those who deserve them.”

“If you don't know much about music, how do you know who deserves it?” Trixie asked.

“There's something I learned a long time ago about chess and... other games,” Celestia noted. “An amateur plays the game, but a master plays his opponent. I give grants to ponies who impress me with their vision and drive, not those who merely have good technical skills. I would rather have bits flow to those who will make something new and interesting than a pony who can flawlessly perform one of Beethoofen's Symphonies by himself but hasn't a single chord of his own making.”

“I suppose that makes sense,” Trixie conceded. “That said, there's little time for musicians to practice or travel, so we would need to get somepony local. Perhaps the group that played at the museum?”

“They would probably be happy to play for you,” Celestia smiled. “After all, you saved their lives.”

“And they were decent enough,” Trixie said. “I prefer Trotsky and Griffon pieces to what they were playing, but Hoofdel is always safe, and the Celestial Suite is good background noise.”

“I didn't know you liked classical music,” Twilight said quietly.

“Trixie has had to share the stage with a great number of musicians. Sometimes Trixie would provide dramatic effects for a symphony, and other times they would play to provide music for my shows.”

“Really?” Twilight raised an eyebrow.

“Of course,” Trixie said. “Somepony working a stage must tailor their act to the audience they expect. I'm sure you remember the show Trixie did in Ponyville?”

“I don't think anypony will forget that,” Twilight laughed.

“That act, trying to one-up the audience, only works in small towns. Ponies are easily impressed. Most don't even know about some of the simpler spells I can do. Big Jeb might be the strongest pony in Backwardstown, but Trixie can easily lift more than he does after casting a Feather spell on the barbells.”

“What about big towns, like Manehattan?”

“That depends on the venue. If Trixie is lucky, she'll be on a theatre stage, but before such a large and varied crowd, Trixie must rely on making a grand display rather than simply besting rivals or telling a story. It's all about spectacle and making sure there is a dramatic finale.”

“Like fireworks?” Twilight asked.

“Rarely. They tend to be a fire hazard indoors.” Trixie smirked. “A vanishing act or cutting a pony in half tend to be more popular. Sometimes the escape artist act. Trixie will often see what other magicians have done in town and do something completely different.”

Celestia nodded. “Naturally. When there's competition you need to distinguish yourself.”

Trixie smiled and enthusiastically returned the nod. “Exactly! No entertainer can make a living by merely being part of the herd! We need to have varied and useful skills. For example, the most difficult type of magic is close-in magic. Illusions where the audience is almost on top of the performer.”

Trixie put her napkin on the table, laying it down like a sheet. With a dramatic flourish, she revealed three metal cups.

“Ah, yes. A classic!” Celestia smiled a little. “I remember when Clover the Clever invented this trick.”

“So you're familiar with the storied history of the cups and balls?” Trixie smirked. “You see, Twilight, of all of the arts of legerdemain, this is the oldest.”

Trixie revealed a small red ball and put it on the table, inverting a cup and placing it over the sphere. After concealing it, she flipped the other cups and started moving them, switching two cups at a time.

“It's not exactly complicated,” Twilight said, frowning. “As long as an observer is actually paying attention it's easy to keep track of where everything is.”

“Is it?” Trixie asked. She lined the cups up and gestured for Twilight to choose one.

“The middle one,” Twilight said, confidently. Trixie lifted the cup to reveal that there was nothing under it. Twilight frowned. Trixie raised a second cup, revealing the ball. She started moving them again.

“Sleight of hoof is about misdirection, Twilight.” Celestia smiled. “It's something I'm afraid you haven't mastered.” Celestia confidently pointed to a cup after Trixie had finished mixing them up again.

“Of course, I've seen this trick before. It's in the left cup.”

“Interesting choice,” Trixie said, lifting the cup to reveal an orange. “Though not quite correct.”

Celestia's eyes bugged out. “How did you do that?”

“Trixie's version of the trick is significantly better than the original,” Trixie said. She raised the left cup to reveal a lemon, and then the center to reveal a lime. She put all three pieces of fruit on top of the cups.

“I think if my sister was here, she'd say something like 'Tis no wonder thou have ensnared Twilight with such clever hooves!'”

“Trixie does like to think she has clever hooves,” the mare agreed. She picked up the fruit and started juggling it before putting the citrus down on the table in a row and placing the cups over them.

When she removed the cups again, there was a red ball under each cup. She put all three under the middle cup, stacked the other two cups on top of it, and tapped the top once before lifting the stack of cups, revealing a cupcake with red icing and a single burning candle.

“For you, Princess.” She offered it to Celestia. The princess licked her lips and took it, blowing out the candle and nibbling the treat.

“How did she do that? She didn't use any magic at all!” Twilight demanded. “Trixie?”

“A magician never reveals their tricks, Twilight!” She put her napkin over the cups then stomped a hoof down on the lump they made, flattening them. When she lifted the napkin, they were gone.

***

It was a beautiful night. Luna had made sure of it. The musicians were playing something light as the guests gathered. As the news had already gotten out, Luna, Trixie, and Twilight were greeting them as they came in, while Celestia stayed out of the spotlight for now.

“I still can't believe you did that without magic,” Twilight whispered, as Fancy Pants walked into the ballroom. He had been surprisingly polite to Trixie. Apparently he wasn't holding a grudge.

“Trixie learned how to do it from an old Zebrican shamaness,” Trixie said. “Or at least she said she was a shamaness. It was useful when Trixie was just starting out and hadn't learned the wide breadth of skills she knows now, and still proves useful. Trixie occasionally performs at private parties, often for foals, and being able to teach them some magic means they never forget Trixie. Sleight of hoof requires some skill, but is something that can be taught to an earth pony or pegasus whom would get little out of a lesson on making magical fireworks.”

“I was not aware thou taught foals,” Luna said, impressed.

“Oh yes,” Trixie smirked. “Like in Ponyville - I taught some foals who wrecked my wagon some very important lessons. For example, to lift with their legs and not their back, to stay away from wild animals, and to never anger a powerful magician.”

Luna snorted with laughter, covering it up as three pegasai walked in. They were dressed less formally than most of the attendees.

“Well well well..” Spitfire said, as she walked past Twilight and Luna to face Trixie. “If it isn't the mare who thought she could outdo the Wonderbolts with some cheap tricks.”

Trixie rolled her eyes. “It was part of the act. And the flaming rings were a huge hit, as I recall.”

“You were reckless, talked bigger than Celestia's flank-“ Spitfire stopped and made sure Celestia wasn't close enough to hear that. Luna tried to stifle a laugh and failed. “-pardon my language, your highness.”

“No, please continue,” Luna said, smiling and holding back another round of giggles.

“Point is, you thought you could steal the show with a little magic and no real idea of what goes into making a flight demonstration work!” Spitfire cracked her neck. “More importantly, you showed up unannounced and tried to demand a percentage of the ticket fees!”

“Trixie admits it was not one of her better ideas,” Trixie sighed.

“Good. And I hope you getting those things means you'll actually start appreciating how hard a pegasus has to work to be as good as we are.” Spitfire glanced at her wings. “Even if your wing toning is terrible. I'm surprised you can fly at all. What do you get, like five wingpower at most?”

“It works differently for alicorns,” Twilight noted. “Dash is much faster than I am, but I actually have higher wingpower. I think for an alicorn it's more focused on magical projection instead of speed.”

“Bet you'd be a master at weather magic, though,” Spitfire smiled. “Cadance was, back in Cloudsdale. I remember watching her clear the skies with one flap of her wings. One flap! I swear the mare did it without even having to think. Really impressed me as a kid!”

“I'd like to apologize,” Trixie said, lowering her voice and dropping her usual affect. “I know I messed up your show. If there's something I can do to make up for it, I will, even though it was years ago.”

“Eh. I can let it go.” Spitfire shrugged. “But if you ever feel like doing us a favor, those rings of fire were pretty impressive.”

“I'm sure I can clear my schedule,” Trixie smiled. “Pro bono, even!”

“More like community service,” Spitfire snorted. “But close enough. And you need to do some wing exercises. Both of you do!” She looked at Twilight. “I hope Dash isn't letting you slack off.”

“I have- I have very important princess... stuff.” Twilight said, blushing.

“Sure. And when your wings atrophy and fall off because you never use them, you can finish your princess stuff and go back to regular unicorn stuff.”

“They can't do that!” Twilight gasped. “Can they?”

“Luckily for you, no.” Spitfire smirked and saluted. “Princess Luna. Princess Twilight.” With a nod from them, she walked in.

“It's time, your highnesses,” said one of the maids. “Princess Celestia is waiting backstage.”

“Ah, excellent,” Luna said. “'Twas getting dull, standing here and hearing the litany of things Trixie has done to wrong... seemingly everypony between here and the Crystal Empire.”

Trixie's ears folded back as she was reminded about just how many ponies out there had grudges against her.

***

“Trixie, before we begin, a word of advice?” Celestia whispered. “I know it isn't the advice most ponies get, but you might want to try not being yourself.”

“...Not being myself.” Trixie frowned.

Celestia nodded. “Just trust me on this. Most of these ponies already dislike you. The last thing you want to do is embarrass yourself or worse, Twilight.”

“I suppose...” Trixie muttered.

“You'll outrank most of them, but their opinions matter to a lot of ponies. While they can't force you to do anything, I'm sure you know the difficulties of bad press.”

“Trixie is... I am very aware of them.” Trixie whispered.

“Good,” Celestia said. She straightened up and raised her voice. “Now, I believe it is time we put this stage to use. If everypony is ready?” Luna and Twilight smiled. Trixie just nodded, feeling suddenly pensive about everything. It was one thing to go out on stage before a crowd of fans, it was another to face a wall of hecklers and enemies.

“Mares and Gentlecolts!” Celestia declared, as she strode out easily onto the high stage, spotlights shining down around them as the rest of the room dimmed, a simple illusion that Trixie had set up in advance. Her voice, though, was all Celestia. The Royal Canterlot Voice did have its uses. “Thank you for coming. As I'm sure you're all aware, there are some important announcements to be made today.”

The grumbling around the room started. Thankfully, this was a high-class crowd, so ponies refrained from shouting questions and accusations for the moment.

“The first, and most important,” Celestia gestured to Trixie. The mare stepped forwards. She'd ended up wearing her armor after all, including the plain black cloak. It made her look drab compared to most of the other ponies in the room, but there was something to be said about a mare in armor: it never went out of style. “I am sure you have all seen the news about Trixie Lulamoon, and you all have questions. Unfortunately, much of what has occurred and much of what she has accomplished must remain secret for the security of Equestria. Trixie Lulamoon is a redeemed mare, and has saved all of us from terrible threats. Know now that she has been fully pardoned for any crimes or wrongs she has done, and that in recognition of her service and status as an alicorn, I, Princess Celestia, Sol Invictus, Diarch of Equestria and Defender of the Realm, grant her the title of Marchioness.”

And then the complaining and grumbling turned into shouting. With a short speech, Celestia had effectively put her above most of the ponies in the crowd. If they'd disliked her before, they hated her now that they'd have to bow to her.

Celestia blissfully ignored them and took a simple circlet from a waiting hoofservant, placing it carefully on Trixie's brow. Trixie took a deep breath and faced the crowd, spreading her wings. The complaining continued until she cleared her throat. She decided to ignore the lines Luna had been trying to feed her and try Celestia's advice on getting on their good side.

“I know that I haven't made a good impression on most of you,” Trixie said, carefully. “And thank you, Princess Celestia, but I won't hide behind a pardon. I want to make things right, if I can. I'm still learning what it means to be a better pony, and I don't think I'll ever stop having more to learn. If there's some way I can make up for what I've done to you, any of you, I'd be happy to try to make amends.” She carefully didn't look at Blueblood. The room was silent for a few seconds, then a pony near the back started clapping. Trixie looked up and met Fancy Pant's gaze. He smiled. Fleur joined him a moment later, then the Wonderbolts. The rest of the room got caught up in a tide of applause, which at least served to drown out the worst of the grumbling. Trixie gave her best stage bow and stepped back, letting Celestia take center stage once more.

“Thank you, Trixie,” Celestia said, her voice somewhat more genuine than the prepared lines she had given before. “Now, for the second matter.” She'd saved this for last, as it was sure to cause even more disruption to the social order than the first announcement. “The last four years have been wonderful and terrible in equal measure. Princess Luna has returned from her long absence, Princess Twilight Sparkle has ascended and served to protect Equestria from many threats, and I am finally sure that everypony is able to handle themselves. As a result...”

She smiled broadly, her stern tone dropping. “I'm going on a long, long overdue vacation. While I'm gone, Princess Luna's Night Court will take over the duties of the Day Court. This will mean adjusting your schedules to compensate. I'm sure starting at nightfall will come as a relief to some of you.” She looked around the room. “As I recall, quite a few ponies here have complained about having to attend court at early hours, especially after one of the garden parties where the castle liquor stores are strained to their limits.”

Celestia's comment caused a ripple of laughter from the crowd.

“I have full faith in my sister, and I know you'll all give her your full support while I'm gone.” There was a subtle implication in her tone that not giving her support would result in consequences.

“Effective immediately, I am transferring my executive power over court and council to Princess Luna, and canceling Day Court until further notice. Any pony with an appointment with Day Court may contact my scribe, Illuminated Page, who will be overseeing the scheduling and working with Luna to smooth over any difficulties.” She turned to her sister, stepping to the side to allow her to come forwards.

“COWER, BRIEF MORTALS!” Luna shouted as she pounced onto the stage. Trixie groaned. It looked even worse from the outside. She was very glad she'd gone with her improvised speech, but it appeared Luna wasn't going to let her speechwriter's work go to waste. “I accept this duty and honor, Princess Celestia. In thine absence, I will ensure that Equestria is defended and prosperous!”

The previous complaining increased tenfold. Luna heard something that made her grit her teeth, her ear twitching.

“And yes, the sun will still rise while my sister is on vacation! That was a long time ago!” She looked over the crowd, huffing. Perhaps she'd used a little more of the Royal Canterlot Voice than she'd intended.

Celestia coughed politely. Luna rolled her eyes.

“Let the festivities commence!” She waved a hoof dramatically and the musicians started playing again, more lively and louder now. Luna turned back to Celestia. “Thou are lucky to have minions so devoted that they panic at even a mention of being left under the care of another for even a short time.” She grumbled and kicked at the stage. Celestia pulled her into a hug.

“That's why it's good for them, Luna. I don't want them to think of me as their only ruler. You have just as much power as I do, and they're going to learn to respect that.”

“I know,” Luna said. “But it is not so easy to be reminded of it.”

“If you really want to make Night Court popular, have an open bar,” Trixie suggested off-hoof. “I mean you set the rules anyway, and I'm sure it would liven things up.”

Luna snorted, smiling. “It certainly would. Perhaps a festive atmosphere is not such a bad idea. Lifting bottles of spirits would lift my spirits, if nothing else.”

“Just try not to drain our stores too quickly,” Celestia smirked.

“Thou will not serve to tell me it's a terrible idea?” Luna asked.

Celestia shook her head. “Nope. You're the ruler now. That means you get to make all the decisions. And I want you to make them in your way. I'd be happier if you made a few mistakes, but you made them following your heart, instead of just copying what I do. You're your own pony, not my shadow.”

Luna nodded. “Then as my first decree, the first session of Night Court will have a widely advertized open bar for those who have come to petition me.” She paused. “We shall wait and see how it turns out before deciding on how long to continue it.”

The alicorns shared a laugh.

“Come, then. Let us mingle. I expect they shall have many questions for us.”

***

“Marchioness Lulamoon,” Blueblood snorted, his voice dripping with disdain. Trixie turned to face him. She wasn't nearly drunk enough to deal with him, and there was little hope of getting there with merely the alcohol available to her, unless Ingrid had managed to smuggle in the keg of Griffon Ale she'd purchased to celebrate the occasion.

“Prince Blueblood,” Trixie said, trying to keep emotions out of her voice.

“I suppose it is only fitting that you be given some sort of rank,” Blueblood noted, sipping from his wineglass. “It's the only way to keep you from being thrown out of polite society.”

“You'd know about that better than I would,” Trixie said, smiling.

“Hmph.” Blueblood adjusted his mane. “Believe it or not, I came to offer some advice.” He finished his glass, put it down, and deftly found another one waiting for him, his butler appearing out of nowhere to offer it to him.

“I'm listening,” Trixie said, trying to tone down her distaste for the stallion.

He nodded. “Ponies will be after you just for your rank and title. It sounds heartless, but you are going to have to get used to shutting them down, denying their requests, and occasionally telling somepony you'd otherwise sleep with that they can go buck themselves.”

“I have a marefriend,” Trixie pointed out, looking across the floor at Twilight.

“That won't stop the kind of ponies you need to be worried about,” Blueblood said. “And Twilight isn't very wise to the ways of court. She learned books of law and the spirit of it, not how Auntie's petitioners try to twist it to their own ends. It's sickening.”

“...I've never seen this side of you,” Trixie noted, quietly.

“You're one of the very few ponies here whom I know doesn't have a political agenda yet, and I have it on good authority you'd rather set me on fire than try to seduce me.” Blueblood smirked. “That is the worst thing about being at our rank, that you have to wonder just what every pony talking to you wants from you.”

“And what do you want from me?” Trixie asked, raising an eyebrow.

“At the moment? I want to make sure you don't become my enemy.” Blueblood shrugged. “I know we've had our differences-”

“You tried to proposition me.”

“You put a curse on me,” Blueblood countered, raising an eyebrow. “I don't suppose you'd like to call it even?”

“I- yeah.” Trixie sighed. “I hate to admit it, but you're right.”

“Of course I am. I've been doing this longer than you.” Blueblood turned to look over the crowd from the corner the two had taken over. “There are a few among this gathering of snakes that you can trust. Fancy Pants, at least, has always been decent. Jet Set is always trying to get ponies to donate money to his charities. They're real enough, but he skims off a percentage for himself. Fleur is of low birth, even lower than yours, and is content where she is, as long as you don't try to make a move on her.”

“Sounds like you have detailed notes on all of them,” Trixie said. “So if everypony has their own agenda, what's your goal?”

“Ah, I'm already at the top. All I want is to live a life of comfort and ease, and they make it difficult. You'll find out what that's like. For tonight, you'd be wise to agree to nothing, not even small favors. Don't be rude, just deflect them. If they want to discuss politics, tell them you haven't formed an opinion on matters. If they want money, tell them to send details to your servants for you to review.”

“Trixie doesn't have servants.”

“Get some. Preferably from outside of Canterlot, so you can avoid spies.” Blueblood glanced around the room. “Remember that right now, even something like accepting a gift or getting somepony a glass of wine speaks volumes. Some-” he nodded to Fleur “-know how to play that game very well. I've never cared for it, which has helped feed my reputation as a black-hearted annoyance.”

“You say that like you enjoy having a bad reputation.” Trixie raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, I do.” Blueblood grinned. “It means whenever a pony wants a favor of me, it's painfully transparent. A while back I had a particularly persistent suitor who put up with my act all night, just because she thought I'd be her ticket into high society.” He sipped his wine thoughtfully. “It did backfire a bit when she tried to kill me, but I hear she's doing well for herself and hasn't attempted to sleep her way to the top since.”

Trixie snorted at that. “I'm curious what they'd think of the two of us speaking away from the crowd, then.”

“Ah, well, that's where damage control comes in.” Blueblood sighed. “I believe the easiest option would be for you to slap me and walk away.”

“I admit I'd enjoy it.”

“I do make an easy target,” Blueblood admitted.

“I'd rather not cause a scene here, though,” Trixie sighed. “Celestia said... it wouldn't be good for Twilight.”

“Well, there is the other option. We could dance, and you could look very unhappy about it. Then when ponies ask later, say it's what I requested when you said you wanted to make amends.”

“You assume I can dance,” Trixie said.

“You can hardly be worse than Twilight,” Blueblood noted. “If you haven't seen her dance yet, keep in mind that she did read several books on it. She used to be much worse when she lived here. I do miss the way she used to completely shut out all matters of society and public image. I'd have asked her for a date myself if I thought she had any interest in it.”

“I didn't know she had many friends here, but she did grow up in the palace...”

“I wouldn't call us friends. She wasn't interested in friendship back then, just her studies. Still, she was refreshing. You're lucky to have her, and I expect you to keep her safe while Auntie is gone. She's kept her shielded for so long, and once she's left I'm sure they'll pounce on the fresh meat.”

“They'll have to get through me first,” Trixie said.

“Good. Now...” Blueblood smirked. “Shall we dance?”

***

“I hope you're enjoying yourself,” Upper Crust said, tossing her head to toss her mane. She'd obviously just had it magically colored, as it was far brighter than the last time Twilight had seen her, nearly the same shade as Luna's coat. Perhaps not a coincidence.

“Of course I am,” Twilight smiled pleasantly. “I always enjoyed it when somepony managed to convince me to put my books down for a while and go have some fun, though I didn't really appreciate it until recently.”

“Quite,” Upper Crust said, not really following Twilight or actually caring about what she was saying. “I have heard rumors that the Marchioness is quite popular with you Princesses. All of the Princesses.”

“That's-” Twilight blushed. “That is a private matter.” She didn't feel sure enough yet to discuss it with ponies she barely knew, and whom had left a bad impression in the short time she had known them. Part of Twilight still wasn't sure about Trixie – she was certainly attracted to the mare, and they shared interests, but it seemed that every time they started to get close, something got in the way.

“She certainly seems to have made progress with the Prince,” Upper Crust noted.

“Huh?” Twilight looked to the dance floor, and her eyes went wide. Trixie and Blueblood were dancing. Worse, it looked like Trixie was actually enjoying herself. Her face was carefully neutral, but Twilight was getting to know her tells. The way her eyes twinkled. The way her tail twitched when she was happy and trying to maintain a poker face.

Trixie was letting Blueblood lead, and the band launched into a new song. The two had the instant choreography that came naturally to almost all ponies. It was something that Twilight had never mastered. She danced like she'd only learned by reading four books on dancing at the same time, and each leg had memorized a different tome.

It wasn't entirely inaccurate to say that was exactly what had happened, along with a lot of Cadance and her brother never telling her quite how awful her dancing was.

Twilight watched with growing anxiety as the dance drew to a close and the two bowed to each other politely before parting. Trixie walking back towards Twilight.

“Excuse me,” Twilight said, stepping away from Upper Crust. She met Trixie halfway and walked with her quietly until the next song started and eyes were off of them.

“You two were certainly friendly,” Twilight grumbled, quietly enough that others wouldn't hear her.

“I think Luna was right about him,” Trixie noted, quietly. “He's less awful than I remembered.”

“So you decided to- to dance with him like that?” Twilight frowned.

“He gave me some survival tips on palace life, and asked me to keep you safe.”

“He did?” Twilight blinked. “Why? Safe from what?”

“Other ponies,” Trixie said. “He wants to make sure they don't take advantage of you. Trixie might not have lived in a palace before, but it's starting to remind her a lot of show business. Managers and actors all caught in a slow dance of dominance, with those at the top dragging others in their wake.”

“It's just ponies.” Twilight raised an eyebrow.

“Ponies who all want things,” Trixie clarified. “And that means they're very complicated. Trixie will relish the challenge.”

“I suppose it's better than ancient evils trying to kill me with dark magic,” Twilight laughed.

***

A dark mist formed at the gates of Canterlot Castle, twinkling with lights like dying stars. It gathered together as if drawn in by a zephyr, before collapsing and forming a slim pink alicorn in a red and white dress that would have been very revealing if it wasn't for the fact that ponies were naked most of the time anyway.

“Princess Cadance!” The guards saluted. “We weren't informed you were coming!”

“Oh, it's a surprise visit,” Cadance said, smiling, the guards not noticing the fangs that had formed in her mouth. “I'll just see myself in. I want to take care of things myself.”

Author's Note

We're almost at the end!

Next Chapter: Coming sooner than you expect, and it's practically one giant fight scene.

Black Flips Table

Scholar's Mate
Black Flips Table
by MagnetBolt

The doors burst open, surrounded by thick black smoke that clung to them like it was solid. Cadance walked through the smog, wearing a new dress in shades of red and white.

“I seem to have lost my invitation. I hope you don't mind me crashing the party!” She grinned, her eyes trickling eldritch flames for a moment before she blinked, returning them to normal.

“Oh, you're always welcome Cadance,” Celestia smiled, from up on the stage. “I was hoping you'd come. You did miss the first course, but I can have the soup brought out with the entree. It's Cast Iron's special corn chowder!” She wiggled her eyebrows.

“That sounds really-” Cadance caught herself. “I mean, I'm here to assume control!”

“Do you have a dramatic speech prepared?” Trixie asked.

“Well...” Cadance took cue cards out of her dress. “There were a few things I wanted to say.” Before she could start reading them, they were snatched by Trixie's magic, the showmare looking them over.

“Let me see... you're resentful because Celestia didn't put you in charge even though you've known her for decades, you don't think Luna is ready for modern politics, and think Twilight is a nice little filly and you feel sorry for how Celestia has used her as a tool.”

“That mostly covers it,” Cadance admitted, blushing a little.

“There's nothing in here about me,” Trixie said, frowning. She discarded cards as she read them. “Why is there nothing here about Trixie?”

“Trixie please don't complain that someone hasn't declared you an enemy,” Twilight groaned.

“I... forgot to write anything about you,” Cadance admitted. “Honestly I don't really know you that well! I'm really sorry. I'm sure we'll become great friends. Or... mortal enemies? I don't know which of those two things you want to happen.”

“...Trixie would prefer friend.”

“Great!” Cadance smiled. “I prefer friends too. So, um, I'm going to take over Equestria now. If you could just stand down so I can usurp Celestia?”

“You can't,” Celestia said.

“You'll find that I can! I'm not the same mare I was decades ago! Now I have the power to-“

“No, I mean, you can't. I've already put Luna in charge. You have to usurp her. I'm on vacation.”

“Oh!” Cadance blinked, looking at Luna. “I really should have gotten here before the soup course. I just thought it would be more dramatic if I was a little late.”

“A little late would have been like an hour ago,” Trixie snorted. “It was a good effort, though. Trixie likes the dramatic black smoke and entrance.”

“You liked that?” Cadance asked, pleased.

“Well, it looks like things are finished here, so I'll just be leaving,” Celestia said, starting down the stairs on the side of the stage.

“Princess?” Twilight asked. “What about the usurping thing? Shouldn't we stop her?”

“Oh right! I was usurping Luna!” Cadance gasped, reminded of what she was doing. “I almost forgot. I declare myself true ruler of Equestria. I am stronger than Princess Luna and more worthy to sit on the throne!”

“Strength alone does not make one worthy,” Luna said, stepping forwards. “Thou do not deserve to sit on Equestria's throne while draped in that black sorcery. I can sense the sickness even from here.”

“Like you're one to talk,” Cadance returned, rolling her eyes. “At least I don't have a track record of trying to destroy Equestria when I'm in charge.”

“Cadance that was very rude,” Celestia said, as Luna reared back in shock from the verbal attack. “There were extenuating circumstances. She was being controlled by the Nightmare. Please apologize.”

“You're right. I- no, wait! This is a coup! I'm not apologizing!” Cadance stomped her hooves.

“Celestia,” Twilight said, coughing. “Maybe you should just...?” She waved a hoof at Cadance. “You know. Help deal with this instead of going on vacation.” Her tone had an edge of annoyance to it, a twist of her mane coming undone.

“She can't,” Cadance said, very assured. “Not unless she wants to kill everypony in the room. It's the same reason she couldn't stop the changeling queen. If Celestia uses more than a tiny fraction of her power, she can't control it.”

“What?” Twilight tilted her head, confused. “Cadance I didn't mean she should fight you. I meant that she should help sit down and talk with you about this, since most of your problems are with how she's been acting as a mentor and leader.”

“Oh.” Cadance looked down, suddenly sad. “I thought you were finally starting to take me seriously.”

“Cadance...” Celestia smiled and walked over to put a wing around the younger alicorn. “I've always taken you seriously. The reason I sent you to the Crystal Empire wasn't just because it was your destiny, it was because I wanted you to be able to bloom on your own where ponies wouldn't always compare you to me.”

“Not that it would be a fair comparison,” said somepony from the crowd. Jet Set. Heads turned to look with expressions of horror as he continued, apparently not noticing everypony. “Celestia has been controlling the sun and moon on her own for a thousand years. You never even got around to helping her.”

“Blueblood...” Celestia said with a warning tone in her voice.

“Just have the guards send her back to her silly little 'Empire' where she can't bother us. At least the zebras and griffons know not to interrupt important Equestrian events and stay in their rubbish little countries.”

Before anypony could say anything, a bolt of violet and green magic swatted the unicorn through a table, the wood breaking in two as it was launched into a wall. Food splattered like shrapnel across the room, mixing with the very real and more dangerous shrapnel of the shattered plates and thrown cutlery.

Cadance seethed with anger, blasting Celestia away from herself with a surge of mist-like energy, the magic so thick around her that it was starting to condense out, crystal growths forming around her hooves like brittle black grass springing from the stone.

“You see?! They don't take me seriously at all, even though I could tear them limb from limb!” Her voice had a strong echo to it, like someone else speaking at the same time in a deeper pitch.

“That's a lot of dark magic,” Twilight whispered, torn between moving closer to get a better look and backing away to find cover.

The Night Guards acted quickly, getting between Cadance and the civilians. The pink princess looked around as they formed a cordon. Koloth helped Celestia back to her hooves.

“Stay back, your highness. We can take care of this.” He looked up at her as she got up, though Celestia's eyes never left Cadance.

“I don't need you to protect me. I need you to protect them.” Celestia gently pushed Koloth aside and walked closer to Cadance. “Cadance, stand down. If you don't, I will use whatever force I must to keep them safe.”

“I'd like to see that,” Cadance growled. “What are you going to do, pawn it off on Twilight again because you can't do anything for yourself?!”

“Well...” Celestia looked guiltily at Twilight.

“It wouldn't help anyway. I'm much stronger than she is.” Cadance smirked as her neck shimmered, a glamour dropping to reveal a black and gray amulet set with ruby-red magicite.

“That's the Alicorn Amulet. Why does she have the Alicorn Amulet?” Twilight asked, her voice a harsh whisper.

“I... gave it to her,” Celestia admitted. “I thought she would keep it somewhere safe.”

“Oh, I'm sure she considers it to be quite safe around her neck,” Luna said, glancing at Trixie and Twilight. “If I understand its properties, it will be quite difficult for us to remove it while she is alive and unwilling to part with it.”

“Impossible, to be accurate,” Cadance cut in. “And unlike Trixie and Sundowner, I've perfected the amulet. Sombra's original notes from when he created it were still in the castle in the Crystal Empire. With another thousand years of discoveries, certain limitations he ran into have been bypassed.”

The amulet lit up, bright red sigils tracing along its carved lines as if the whole thing were glowing red-hot from within.

“I'm ten times stronger, and I have access to all of Sombra's magical talents as well.” She looked at Luna. “So, Princess Luna – do you think you have a chance against me? I'm stronger than your sister, and she's made a habit of kicking your flank.”

“Thou art treading on thin ice,” Luna whispered, her eyes narrowing.

“Ten times stronger?” Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow. “Are you measuring that in terms of absolute magical output, or is it focused in only one area? I have a theory that an alicorn can be much stronger than they'd otherwise be, if their magic was highly imbalanced to one area.”

Cadance rolled her eyes. “This isn't a subject for you to research, Twilight.” She paused. “But I was testing it through wingpower, if you must know.”

“That makes sense. A thaumeter tends to top out well before you'd see even your natural maximum as an alicorn, but-”

“I'm here for a fight,” Cadance said, loudly. “Not another lecture. I'm going to show you that my power is easily your equal. Am I going to have to kill everypony here before you realize I'm not just your little pink pet that you can shove in a little crystal cage?!” Cadance's eyes flared up, and she grabbed half of the assembled crowd of nobles in her magical aura, lifting them up with sparkling black and blue magic.

“If you want a fight, you got it,” Twilight sighed.

“Twilight?” Celestia looked down at her.

“It's okay, Celestia. I calculate that I can beat her on my own, even if she is ten times stronger. It would be easier if my friends were here, but I'm not going to run and hide. Tirek almost conquered Equestria because we were slow to take action. Neither of us had faith in me, and it cost us. But now I know that I can do anything.”

“Luna and I could handle this,” Celestia said, quietly.

“Without killing her?” Twilight asked. Celestia shook her head, accepting her former student's logic. “And Trixie, no offense, but she's too strong for you to fight directly. I don't want you to get hurt.”

“Trixie will focus on making sure your battle doesn't get anypony else killed. You tend to cause a lot of collateral damage, Twilight Sparkle.” Trixie smiled.

“I'll keep it to a minimum this time,” Twilight said.

“So, have you finally made the obvious choice and elected to have Twilight fight for you, like you always do?” Cadance asked, loudly. Twilight stepped forward, nodding. Cadance smiled and let the ponies she was holding fall to the floor.

“I've been doing a lot of research on alicorns ever since I became one,” Twilight said, her tone taking on the tones and pacing of a lecturing professor. “I've recently had a few breakthroughs you might be interested to know about.”

“Twilight Sparkle, this is hardly the time for this,” Luna said, watching Cadance closely. The pink mare smiled, the expression not reaching her black-rimmed eyes.

“No, I think I'd like to hear. I've been doing my own research and I'd like to compare notes. Besides, Twilight has always been a good teacher, even when she was a filly.” Her tone was warm, even if the expression wasn't.

“Thank you, Cadance,” Twilight said. “As you can clearly see, I'm an alicorn.” Twilight extended her wings. “More than anything else, an alicorn is defined by the shape and power of their magical flows.”

Cadance sat down and watched as Twilight paced back and forth. The shadows around her gathered into a throne, with a suggestion of something lurking behind it.

“Alicorns are thousands of times more powerful than the average pony,” Twilight continued. “At least in terms of raw power. Output is somewhat limited by the stark division into three flow systems and-” she coughed. “The point is, lots of magical power.”

“Not all alicorns are equal, though,” Cadance muttered, darkly.

“That's correct,” Twilight agreed. “Actually, in my research I found that my own magical flows cannot possibly be sustained much beyond the power I have now. The pressure would cause them to collapse.”

“You're wrong! Celestia and Luna are much stronger than you!”

“They are,” Twilight agreed, nodding excitedly. “And when I had to take in their magic when they were trying to hide it from Tirek, it sent my magic flows off the rails. I was really unstable for a while, but when I had to fight it all just came together.”

Twilight pointed to Celestia. “I wondered why her mane was always flowing like that, and why Luna's changed after her magic recovered. At first I thought it was a fashion choice or glamour, but my mane did the same thing when I tried to use that power. Their magical flows are significantly different from ours. They're more ordered and structured, allowing them to grow larger without becoming more chaotic and collapsing into entropy. It's like the difference between a mere thunderhead and a hurricane.”

“That is interesting, Twilight,” Cadance admitted. “I hadn't considered that those differences caused the gap in power. Of course, I wasn't butting into a maximum capacity either.”

“Well what you're going to find really interesting is that when I figured out how to use the magic, I had to learn to rearrange my own magic. Like this!” Twilight closed her eyes, and when she opened them, they were a brilliant white. Her mane and tail moved on their own, a breeze pushing them back as stars began twinkling through them, as if viewing a night sky through purple and pink silk.

“I call this an Ascended Alicorn,” Twilight said. Around her, sparks filled the air, even small discontinuities in her magical field grounding out in visible displays.

“My.” Cadance stood up. “Your hair changed. So what?”

“I'm almost as strong as Celestia like this,” Twilight said, modestly. “I can't maintain it indefinitely like she can, but I'll figure it out eventually.”

“If you're only as strong as Celestia it won't be enough.” Cadance stood, the throne dissolving and flowing over her coat to form leaden armor and a cape of soft-edged shadows like a cloak made of raven feathers. “I'm stronger than three Celestias!”

“So was Tirek,” Twilight said. “And that's when we had to use a power beyond alicorn magic.”

“Oh, this should be good,” Luna said, prodding her sister in the side and smiling. “I regretted not being able to see this myself!”

“Luna, we're still in the blast radius,” Celestia muttered. “Trixie, have your legion begin escorting the ponies out of the room while Cadance is distracted.” Trixie nodded and ran off to start whispering orders to her troops.

“This might take a moment,” Twilight admitted. “I haven't had a lot of practice with this yet, and it's a lot different from what you've seen. With the power of friendship, even when apart, our hearts are always close together.”

Twilight's horn started to glow like the sun, a prismatic light glowing around her. The magic pouring from her was strong enough that it could be felt, warm and radiant but leaving a prickling, numbing sensation.

The tile under her hooves cracked. The entire castle started shaking, like an earthquake had started right under the foundation and was growing in strength.

“Move!” Trixie hissed, guiding the stubborn nobility around the edges of the room, trying to keep as much distance from Cadance and Twilight as she could.

***

Rainbow Dash stopped, sliding her racing goggles up as she looked towards Canterlot. She'd felt something tugging inside of her.

“What is that?” She asked. “Is something going on with Twilight?”

“Dash, what's up with this wind” Thunderlane yelled. Rainbow Dash looked over to where he was trying to wrangle some clouds together to provide shade for the town picnic below.

“That's not wind,” Dash said, hovering and feeling the air. The clouds weren't being pushed. They were being pulled, by some kind of powerful magic, heading right towards Canterlot.

***

Applejack stumbled as the ground buckled underneath her, sending her to the ground mid-buck. In shock, she watched as the trees in her orchard fell out of their orderly lines, the earth cracking and the roots pulling free as they leaned this way and that.

“Granny always said there'd be days like this,” Applejack muttered. As if to add insult to injury, an overripe apple fell from the tree and splattered as it hit her head.

Applejack stood up and shook the chunks of bruised apple from her bruised Apple head. She replaced her hat and turned, feeling it in her bones, something surging through the world. Something inside told her who was responsible.

“What in the hay are you doing, Twi? It feels like the whole world is shakin' apart!”

***

“Oh! Tail twitch! Hoof itches! Ear twitching! Whole body shakes!” Pinkie managed to set the tray of cupcakes she had been decorating down before the shakes sent them flying into the walls. The pie she'd been balancing on her tail didn't fare as well, though, being launched by an involuntary buck into a stallion's face.

“Mm. Jelly!” He licked the pie filling from his face appreciatively.

“Kidney flips! Or was that a liver?” Pinkie suddenly went still. “I don't know what feeling that is at all. Whatever's going on, it must be a super doozy. No, a triple super doozy!”

***

Rarity's hair stood on end, instantly turning her into a fluffy fashion disaster. She dropped the needle she had been holding, before a wash of unseen magic abruptly smoothed her coat back out.

“Oh my,” She muttered. “Dear, I believe we'll have to finish this fitting another time. Something's come up.”

“What” Golden Harvest frowned. “But I need this dress so I can finally ask somepony to be my special somepony!”

“And I am all too happy to help your young love bloom with my finest work, but-” before Rarity could finish, the entire boutique started shuddering, the ground vibrating with power.

“What's that? What's going on?”

“I have a sinking suspicion that it's Princess Twilight Sparkle's fault.”

***

“Everyone calm down!” Fluttershy yelled, trying to be heard over the cacophony of the animals. They'd all started howling, chirping, tweeting, chittering, and mewling at the same time. Not every animal made all those noises, of course. Except for that strange one she kept in the cage with a blanket over it. Fluttershy didn't like to look at Mister Tendrils.

“I hope nothing bad is happening...” Fluttershy worriedly held Angel, walking over to the window to look towards the mountains.

***

The magic in the ballroom reached a crescendo, the prismatic energy sinking and solidifying into a sphere around Twilight. The room seemed to grow dark in its glare, and her mane and tail flashed, growing longer as strips of gold appeared in the hair.

Twilight extended her wings, the feathers having grown almost as long as her body and changing to brighter colors. Even her cutie mark was affected, traces of it spreading to her hooves and crawling up towards her knees in a constellation of six-pointed stars.

“And this is the Rainbow Power! I don't know what Sombra is doing to your mind, but I'm going to save you, Cadance!”

“I don't need saving, Twilight. And I don't want to fight you, any of you. Just stand down and let me have the throne-” Cadance was cut off as Twilight appeared in her face, moving so quickly it might as well have been teleportation, slamming a hoof into her jaw so hard that the glass in all of the windows shattered outwards.

“Sorry. I don't have time to argue with you. I can't maintain this for a long time so far away from my friends.” Cadance had stopped talking, but hadn't fallen from the force. Her head was turned away from Twilight, knocked to the side by the blow. She slowly turned back to look at Twilight, a hard edge to her smile now.

Without saying anything, Cadance unleashed a torrent of energy, a cracking beam of blue and black death. Twilight was forced back, her own magic aura keeping out the curse but not the force of the raw magic itself, her hooves digging divots into the floor as her earth pony magic tried to grip the stone for stability.

“I was planning on letting you go!” Cadance shouted, her voice overlaid with an echoing growl. Her horn lit up, and the stone around Twilight cracked, shattering into pieces as big as her hoof. In the blink of an eye they surged inwards, assailing Twilight from every angle and sticking, covering her in a sphere of rock. “So this is your own fault.”

Twilight roared, and the sphere shattered in the wake of the multicolored energy erupting from her body, the stone being crushed into dust with the force of her power, the castle shaking as one of the guard towers finally gave out, the foundation crumbling and sending it tumbling down the mountain.

“I'll show you...” Twilight growled, her eyes glowing, the air around her turning into luminous plasma from her stray magic. “The true power of friendship!”

“Hmph. You'll show ME?” Cadance snorted, rising into the air with trails of green and purple flames streaming from her wings, her horn charging for another attack. Twilight spun on her hooves, leaping into the air with enough force that the already-cratered ground exploded in an other eruption of chipped stone and broken marble, rushing up to meet her.

They cast at almost the same time, Cadance and Twilight's magic bending and twisting as the opposing spells were caught in each other's web of influence. Twilight's curved sideways and blasted half of the roof off of the ballroom, while Cadance's more careless blast went right towards the guests.

Trixie was there in an instant, stepping out of the shadows and holding it back with a magical shield, the force of the blow eroding it quickly. She tossed the nobles and her own guards aside with a flick of a glowing, sparking hoof, just before the shield failed and she was blasted into the wall.

Twilight spun in midair, a move learned from watching Dash's tricks over and over again, the motion easy and natural with the influx of power from her friendship, suddenly leading with one of her rear hooves in a flying kick.

A black shield formed around Cadance's wings as she wrapped herself in them, trying to protect herself. She grit her teeth, trying not to cry out as her feathers sheared away. Twilight flapped her wings, and was up and around her, bringing her forehooves down onto Cadance's upper back in a double ax handle. Pinkie had always been good at attacking a problem from an unexpected angle. Cadance's dull iron armor shattered under the blow as she was smashed down into the floor, sliding along the broken floor and into a table, the oak shattering as she reduced it to splinters.

“That wasn't very nice, Twilight...” Cadance growled, shaking her head as she got up to try and clear the stars that had appeared in her vision. Twilight's strong right hoof slammed into her jaw again, sending her into a stone column with enough force to break it and cause part of the ruined roof to collapse down onto her.

“I learned a lot about you, Cadance,” Twilight said, breathing heavily. Mana streamed from her like water escaping from a broken dam, irresistible power and force for the short time it lasted. As Cadance tried to get up, Twilight put a hoof firmly in her back. “The reason you're using that amulet.”

Twilight grabbed at Cadance's armor with her magic, tearing more of it free from the alicorn, the same spell Rarity used to peel a dress away from a client without damaging it, amplified a thousand times over. Cadance screamed with alarm and rage, throwing another death curse at Twilight to try and scramble away. Twilight countered with a blast of her own, throwing Cadance free and into the stage, smashing most of the way through it.

“The reason you're so obsessed with power!” Twilight yelled, rushing towards Cadance as the larger alicorn regained her balance. Twilight grabbed her horn with a hoof and head-butted her, sending the older princess to the ground. It was Applejack who taught her that fighting dirty was the most honest way, with no pretense or pretending about rules.

Cadance slumped to the ground, struggling to stand, blood dripping into her eyes from the laceration on her brow.

“It's because you're afraid,” Twilight said, more softly. “You're afraid that you'll always be stuck like this, while others surpass you.” She took a deep breath and offered Cadance a hoof. Kindness was the only real way to stop a cycle of hate. Fluttershy knew that better than anyone. “Please, Cadance. Don't make me do this. This is the real power of friendship. The power to forgive and be forgiven. You don't have to be afraid.”

Cadance looked up at her, breathing heavily and trying to regain some kind of composure. Her eyes were dark and watery, tears starting to leak from the corners. She looked at Twilight, and everything seemed to slow down.

Just as Twilight took her reaching hoof, Cadance's grip suddenly tightened, her hoof hanging on with unnatural strength. Twilight's eyes went wide as Cadance growled, black and purple flames pouring from her eyes as they turned flat green.

“What has a GODDESS to fear?!” Cadance roared. She threw Twilight aside and stood, her armor reforming from the dark magic surging from her body. Twilight hit the wall, cracking the plaster and dropping to the ground on her hooves, not really hurt. Cadance rushed at her, her second wind giving her even more strength and speed than before.

“Honesty!” Twilight yelled, punching her and knocking her back, Cadance's charge cut short in an instant.

“Kindness!” Twilight screamed again. A second blow followed up the first, an uppercut that knocked the pink princess back. She tried to stand her ground, blood dripping from her nostrils as she turned, snarling, to Twilight.

“Laughter!” Twilight shouted, sending her back down to the ground with another blow, her old foalsitter unable to keep her composure together long enough to react. Twilight's body started shimmering, orange, yellow, and pink flashes surging around her hooves like lightning.

“Generosity!” Twilight continued, driving a sparking hoof into Cadance's shoulder, the armor shattering again. White joined the other colors in the energy around her hooves.

“Loyalty!” Cadance tried to hold Twilight back, but a surge of blue energy sent her reeling. Twilight's mane rose up, stars shimmering in its depths. Cadance growled and tried to charge a spell before a wave of telekinetic energy tore her from her hooves, holding her in the air helplessly. The energy around Twilight reached a crescendo.

“Magic!” She screamed, six individual streams of energy striking at Cadance like ribbons. Just as they started to converge, they flickered and died out, Twilight gasping as the attack failed, Cadance dropping to the ground, unharmed. Twilight slumped, falling to her knees as her rainbow power transformation ended, her magic almost entirely drained from the effort.

“What did you do?!” Trixie demanded, clenching her teeth and trying to restrain herself from launching herself at the empowered alicorn.

“I outlasted her,” Cadance said, panting. She started laughing. “You said it yourself, Twilight. You could only maintain it for a short while! All I had to do was outlast you.” Cadance kicked Twilight in the jaw, sending her into and mostly through the wall.

“Cadance,” Luna said, her voice loud and clear, drawing the fallen alicorn's attention.

“Hm? Are you going to try to beat me next?” Cadance sighed. “I mean, you could all come at me at the same time, if you wanted. I don't have all day.”

“Thou shall have much time to contemplate thine actions after thou are defeated,” Luna countered.

“Cadance, this is your last chance to stand down,” Celestia said. Cadance glanced back. While she'd been distracted, the sisters had moved to flank her. “If you force us to fight you, you could be killed.”

“Let me guess, you have all kinds of terrible dark magic from a billion years ago,” Cadance rolled her eyes. “I'm not intimidated, Celestia.”

“Thou would do well to be afraid,” Luna countered. “Celestia and I have long had the blood of immortals on our hooves. We have had to learn to kill alicorns.”

“I'm sure I'll pick it up quickly,” Cadance shrugged, before tossing a sphere of magical power into the air, where it splintered into a thousand shards, coming down in a storm of magical power. Celestia and Luna easily defended themselves, but as the splinters hit the ground, spires of black crystal grew from the marble.

“Free thine self from the heaven's bonds, O blade of the cold, dark void!” Luna yelled.

“An incantation? How old-fashioned!” Cadance snorted. Her amusement died as a black, crackling blade scythed through the crystals forming around Luna. With a single effortless swipe, they collapsed, leaving the princess of the night standing among them.

“Source of all power, light which burns beyond golden, let thy power gather in my hoof!” Celestia chanted. Cadance turned as the light in the room turned harsh and hot, and as she turned, she saw the crystals around Celestia melt away into golden motes, as if burning up in some heatless flame.

As the solar princess was revealed, a harsh golden light erupted from her hoof, the shoe on that leg already burned away by the coursing energy. She held her hoof carefully above the floor, not daring to touch it as she took a three-legged step towards Cadance.

“Sister, thou must be careful with that spell,” Luna admonished. “Thou could easily reduce this entire castle to mere illumination if thou lost control.”

“I could say the same for you, Luna. Isn't the Blade of Disaster one of Nightmare Moon's spells?”

“Tis perfectly safe compared to thy choice of the Sunrise Hammer,” Luna snorted.

“You might be right,” Celestia admitted.

“This is touching, but in case you've forgotten, I'm still more powerful than both of you put together.” Cadance's horn flared, and an array of jagged crystals formed in the air around her like hovering blades. “I wasn't intending to kill you, but I will if that's what it takes to make everypony respect me!”

“You cannot force ponies to respect you. Only to fear you.” Celestia said, calmly. “Respect is earned. You should know that better than anypony.”

“How was I supposed to earn it when you wouldn't even let ponies know I existed for decades?” Cadance yelled. A shield of swirling red and blue appeared around her.

Luna was the first to charge in, attacking while Cadance was distracted. The black Blade of Disaster slashed through the shield, passing through the barrier as if it wasn't there at all. Cadance made a pained, squeaking sound as the defensive spell itself was cut apart, as if it was a physical object instead of a field of force. It was impossible, yet the blade had still done it.

Cadance blinked as blood dripped into her eye. She reached up and felt her horn with her hoof. The tip had been cleanly cut off, the edges as sharp as a knife. Blood dripped from the deep wound, spilling down the spiral shaft and into her face.

“How dare you?!” Cadance shouted, wiping the blood from her eyes.

“Thou hast forgotten thou are fighting two opponents,” Luna said. Cadance turned and jumped away as Celestia's hoof came down, the floor under her simply vanishing, disintegrating into twinkling light. Celestia flapped her wings, coming at Cadance again. The young alicorn's eyes went wide with fear, and she dissolved into mist just before the blow connected, Celestia shooting past her, the white alicorn's expression turning into profound surprise as her charge carried her towards Luna.

Luna brought up her blade as a reflex, the golden and black energies crashing against one another. There was a silent explosion of pure white light, and the sisters were flung in opposite directions to crash into the walls, their bodies marred with burns, steam rising from them. Cadance reformed and launched beams towards both of them from her injured horn.

The recovering Princesses were instantly encased in black crystal, frozen in place in the same way Sombra had been.

Cadance laughed, her cackle eerily familiar as lighting flashed above her. It sounded just like Nightmare Moon's laugh.

***

“Trixie, I've got an idea,” Twilight muttered, her lip starting to swell. “I have a spell that might stop her.” Koloth helped Trixie pry the lavender alicorn out of the wall. Literally pry. Her horn had gotten stuck in the granite.

“Then you should have cast it to start with!” Trixie groaned.

“There's a catch,” Twilight said.

“Of course there is.” Trixie sighed. “There's always a catch.”

“I never designed it for combat. It takes five minutes to cast.” Twilight glanced at Trixie. “I need you to keep her busy for a while.”

“You want me to keep her busy. The mare that easily kicked Celestia and Luna's flanks.”

“For five minutes,” Twilight said, nodding.

“You're lucky the Great and Powerful Trixie's greatest and most powerful skill is to entertain and distract.”

“I'm sure you'll be fine,” Koloth said. “You're more or less immortal, right? The rest of us might die, though, so don't screw up.” He patted her on the back.

“Here,” Babbidi said, tossing Trixie a velvet bag. She opened it and found it was full of silvery dust. “I've been researching some of what you did to beat the Smooze. This is based on that mirror coating you had. I can't find a way to make it stick to anything, but you can use it to intercept a spell. Or throw it in her eyes and run, I guess.”

“Thank you,” Trixie said, smirking. “Now, if you'll excuse me, it's time for the greatest show in Equestria.” She walked calmly to the middle of the emptied hall, almost directly between the frozen sisters of night and day.

Trixie grabbed her black cloak with one hoof and dramatically tore it free, revealing a purple cape covered in stars under it. With a flick of her wrist, the cloak was replaced with her familiar, pointed hat. She set it on her head deliberately and faced Cadance, who watched bemused with her eyebrow raised.

“Watch in awe as Trixie takes the stage!” Trixie declared, her voice magically enhanced, echoing all the way into the city.

“I'm afraid that Twilight broke your stage quite badly.” Cadance glanced at the shattered platform.

“And that's where you're wrong!” Trixie declared boldly, smirking. “I am no mere illusionist! The whole world is a stage for the Great and Powerful Trixie!” She stomped her hoof, and a spotlight shone down on her. “Dare you challenge Trixie when she is in her element?”

“Give it up, Trixie,” Cadance said, tired. “The arrogance was amusing for a while, but it should be obvious at this point that you don't have much of a chance. Celestia was ten times stronger than you could ever be, and even she isn't a challenge.”

Trixie adjusted her hat. “Trixie wasn't aware you were a hypocrite,” Trixie said, raising an eyebrow. “You were just complaining about how you wanted ponies to take you seriously no matter what your power was like, and now you dismiss Trixie merely based on your primitive measure of her magical strength?”

“Trixie, you don't want me to take you seriously,” Cadance said, magic flaring along her horn.

“Then Trixie will dazzle the stage!” She reared up, cape billowing out around her. Her wings flared, sparks erupting between the feathers, and a box appeared around Trixie, elaborately decorated in purple and gold. The box spun on its own before doors opened on opposite sides, two identical Trixies stepping out of both doors.

“Stage magic? Really?” Cadance snorted. “An illusion isn't going to stop me.”

“You underestimate the power of Trixie's magic at your own peril!” The left Trixie said, walking calmly towards Cadance.

“Trixie has something that Twilight Sparkle, Celestia, and Luna all lack,” the one on the right noted. They circled around Cadance, taking opposite sides and walking at a measured pace.

“A hat?” Cadance asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Cunning!” Both Trixies said at once, suddenly striking out at her, not able to match Twilight's speed or power but coming from both directions at once. Cadance smirked and didn't even bother blocking, letting both Trixies hit her. As they did, there was no sound of blows falling, the alicorn not even flinching. The images of Trixie flickered.

“It's not very cunning, Trixie. They were both just illusions. I know you're still hiding behind that box.”

Trixie sighed and stepped out of the box. “It's a bad day when the audience sees through the magician's tricks,” Trixie lamented.

“The box is real, though,” Cadance noted. “Conjured instead of just an image. It's a nice touch. But like I said, illusions are worthless.”

“Are they?” The real Trixie asked, smirking.

“Don't underestimate the power of an illusion!” the right image of Trixie said, grabbing Cadance around the neck.

“Especially when we're mixed with Nazca's Explosion Array!” the left one said, grinning and hugging Cadance's back leg. Cadance's eyes went wide as the two burst into light, a pillar of fire and light erupting into the sky as the spell went off.

“Trixie calls it the Phantom Breaker,” Trixie said, smirking. “Independent, programmed illusions that explode on contact. And since they look like me, they're the most beautiful attack spell in all of Equestria!”

The smoke cleared, and Cadance walked out of the debris of the attack, coughing. Her armor was torn up, and the unexpected attack had left her limping, her back leg scorched.

“What's wrong? Did Trixie's little illusion do more than you expected?” Trixie smirked. Cadance grit her teeth and looked up at her.

“I should have known to expect the unexpected,” Cadance growled. “But that wasn't nearly enough to stop me. I admit I'm impressed. You really have grown. Maybe in a decade or two, with Luna as your teacher, you'd learn enough spells to be a threat.”

“Oh, that one was a Trixie original.” Trixie smirked. “For my next trick, a perennial classic!”

Trixie's horn flashed, and a metal ring appeared, hovering in the air in front of her. It was as wide as a hoof, and made out of a dull silver metal that had an odd iridescent glimmer to it. With a dramatic twist, two more rings slid out of its silhouette, revealing that it was in fact three interconnected rings.

“I've seen this one before,” Cadance said. She fired a crackling beam of black energy at Trixie, not even bothering with subtlety. The rings interposed themselves between Trixie and the death curse, the spell breaking apart as it hit the circles.

“Not like this,” Trixie smirked. More rings appeared, impossibly sliding out of nowhere to join the chain, as if they'd simply been hidden by the angle she was viewing them at.

“Party tricks won't beat me!” Cadance took a step forward, her back leg dragging on the ground.

“The mystical rings are one of the oldest forms of magic,” Trixie countered. “And Trixie was a master even before becoming an alicorn. You've probably only seen a tiny fraction of what they can do from whatever paltry magicians and illusionists that have attempted to harness their power!”

“Has anyone ever told you how annoying you can be?” Cadance asked, before two black disks of magic appeared at her sides, launching out in curved paths towards Trixie, shearing through stone like it wasn't even there.

They were blocked edge-on by the rings, sparks rising from the metal.

“What? That's not possible!” Cadance yelled. Trixie smirked.

“Never try to tell a magician what is or isn't possible!” The solid links of metal shuffled, and duplicate rings dropped from the growing chain like rain, falling to the floor in neat stacks.

Cadance pulled back the spinning disks of destructive magic just as the stacked rings launched themselves at her like arrows, each blow landing like a punch with enough force to break stone. Cadance ducked back, stumbling on her bad leg, and blocked with her disks, using their faces as shields to sweep the rings aside, where they embedded themselves into the walls and floor.

“Is that all you've got?” Cadance asked, breathing heavily, when the hail of rings finally stopped.

“A magician always has more tricks up her sleeve,” Trixie said. She clapped her hooves twice, and the rings in the walls and floor shot towards Cadance, coming from every direction at once. Only a few hit her before she spread her wings, a shield of rippling prismatic energy surrounding her. The rest of the rings dissolved into dust and sparkles of magic as they connected with the seething barrier.

“Give it up!” Cadance screamed. “You're pathetic!”

“And yet you still can't beat Trixie. So much for your power.” Trixie smirked and clapped her hooves again. A few rings were still inside Cadance's shield, and they rapidly changed, expanding and tripping her up before securing themselves around her legs and barrel, pinning her wings to her sides and binding her legs together as they shrank back down to be painfully tight. The shield around Cadance collapsed as she lost her concentration.

“I super-hate you,” Cadance growled.

“Many ponies have said this to Trixie,” Trixie shrugged. “Now what was that you said before? Something about how you'd never be defeated?”

“I said that party tricks won't beat me,” Cadance said, calmly. “And I meant it.” Magic flared around her body, and the rings wrapping her body shattered as she broke them with brute physical force. Cadance stood up, and before Trixie could do anything else, she blasted her with a wide cone of magical force, the rings scattering out of Trixie's magical grip.

“What's it going to be next? Pulling a rabbit out of your hat?” Cadance grabbed Trixie's hat with her magic and tossed it into the air, incinerating it with a beam of heat.

“Or maybe a card trick?” Cadance grabbed one of the fallen columns, her magic swinging it like a bat into the blue magician. Trixie was sent into and through the wall.

“Why did you kill my hat?” Trixie complained, wincing and out of breath, barely able to speak as she pulled herself free of the rubble.

“Because I wanted you to get a preview of what I'm going to do to you,” Cadance replied, a crackling beam of hot death lancing at Trixie. Trixie smirked and tossed an arc of glittering dust into the air.

The beam hit the dust, and the energy bounced chaotically between the floating silvery motes before reflecting back towards Cadance. The beam struck her in the chest, tearing her armor free, the Alicorn Amulet gleaming as it resisted the blow.

“Remember, Cadance, a magician's greatest allies are smoke and mirrors.” Trixie threw a dozen tiny spheres towards her, Cadance reflexively blocking them with a shield. They erupted on contact into a thick cloud of smoke.

Cadance growled. She could feel it slowing her down. It wasn't just smoke, it was compressed clouds, almost the right grade to build a permanent cloud structure. Her natural pegasus magic was pushing against it, almost trapping her in place as they set around her.

She spotted movement, and fired a beam of dark magic at it. There was a flash of light, and the beam came back at her, the searing beam burning a line from her neck down to her shoulder, her coat blackening.

“Your first mistake was not finishing Trixie with your initial attack,” Trixie said, her voice echoing through the smoke. The thick haze made it difficult to tell where it was coming from.

“Trixie!” Cadance screamed, frustrated.

“Your second mistake was thinking you could defeat Trixie with mere brute force. You have no finesse or skill.”

Cadance fired a beam at where she thought the voice was coming from, only to have it come back and hit her, literally, on the flank, the beam burning a line through her cutie mark.

“Third, you forgot that Trixie has become Equestria's foremost expert at being blown up. Nazca Flare!” Cadance's eyes went wide. A ball of red light the size of a marble shot through the smoke and hit her in the side, erupting into crimson light. The force exploded out towards the smoke and reflecting dust and rebounded, imploding back on her with twice as much power.

The air cleared as the force of the secondary blast blew away the smoke, the dust settling to the ground. Cadance looked up to see Trixie only a few steps away, looking down at her.

A mere magician, looking down at her. Cadance felt rage grip her heart, and screamed, forcing herself back to her hooves with a surge of dark energy, black crystals erupting from the ground around her. She lunged at Trixie, trying to stab her with a sword of black quartz held together with bolts of ebon lightning.

The sword went right through her. Cadance blinked, confused, as Trixie didn't react for a moment.

“Sometimes a magician repeats her tricks,” the illusion explained, before it exploded in Cadance's face.

***

“Remind me to never try fighting you,” Twilight muttered, as Trixie appeared out of invisibility next to her.

“Is that spell ready?” Trixie asked, panting. Twilight looked at her. The mare was bruised and beaten. With her cape shredded and her hat gone, her injuries were easier to see. “If this goes on much longer, Trixie is going to have to use a cup and balls.”

“I just need a few more seconds,” Twilight said.

“This had better be a good spell,” Trixie groaned. She stepped into the shadows and appeared behind Cadance. The princess of love slowly stood, her mane burned to only half of its usual length, her crown broken and lying at her hooves.

“Death isn't severe enough punishment for you!” Cadance screamed. “I'm going to turn you into crystals and carve you into a chandelier!”

“That's no way for a princess to talk,” Trixie returned. Cadance turned on her, the Amulet blazing with light, the subtle carvings on its surface glowing with the sickly color of dark magic.

A spiraling beam struck Trixie's shoulder before she could even react, the magic boring through her flesh and bone, emerging from the other side and putting another hole in her wing.

Trixie fell as her leg gave out, shock making it more numb than painful. Cadance picked her up with her magic, forcing the magician to look into her scorched face, her eyes bloodshot and dripping with flames.

“You sicken me,” Cadance said, her voice harsh.

“Because we're so much alike?” Trixie guessed, before her voice was cut off by the magic around her throat as it tightened like a noose.

“We're nothing alike. You're a pathetic excuse for a pony! You don't know what it's like when you try your hardest and fail when it really matters!” Cadance shook her violently. “I had to watch my parents die because I wasn't strong enough to help! I couldn't beat a stupid bug when she wanted to take my place! I couldn't even defeat Sombra on my own! Every single time I tried to do anything myself, I failed! Even Celestia was ashamed of me!”

Cadance slammed Trixie into the floor, driving her skull into the stone.

“She even let Twilight sit in with her at court! Twilight! She was just a filly! I was an alicorn and I was lucky if I was even allowed to show my face in public!”

She threw Trixie into the ceiling and followed it with another beam of dark magic, this one slicing through Trixie's long mane and leaving it a shortened mess.

“Do you know what I went through, all because she had no faith in me!” Cadance shouted. “If she'd ever given me the support or love she showed everypony else...” Cadance fought back tears.

“Trixie thinks...” the mare gasped, her injured leg and wing hanging limply as she tried to break the grip around her neck. “Trixie thinks you don't understand at all. Celestia trusts Twilight Sparkle because Twilight tries to do her best even when she isn't asked. You sound like all you do is hope good things fall into your lap, and you never worked for it yourself.”

“What would you know?” Cadance demanded.

“That's how Trixie was,” Trixie said, struggling to make herself heard. “Trixie thought she deserved to be the greatest and most powerful unicorn. She thought she deserved to defeat Twilight Sparkle! But I was wrong.” Trixie gasped as the force around her squeezed, her wounds dripping blood.

“I told you-”

“Nopony deserves anything. You aren't entitled to anything you aren't willing to fight for.” Trixie winced as a rib cracked. “What have you ever done to make Celestia think you deserved more?”

“I- I thought it would just come with time!” Cadance snapped. She also snapped Trixie's good wing. Previously good wing. It was now her bad wing. “She kept telling me I'd find my place!”

“You don't find it if you wait for somepony to hand you a map,” Trixie whispered.

Cadance roared with frustration. Trixie was launched across the room and through Celestia's throne.

Trixie pulled herself out of the ruins of the royal seating. As Cadance started towards her, she saw it out of the corner of her eye, Twilight, her horn burning with energy as she readied her spell.

“What is that?” She asked, just before a pastel rainbow surged from Twilight's horn and touched hers, sparks coursing down both of their bodies as their magic clashed. Cadance's eyes went wide, then she started to laugh as she felt it, power surging into her own.

“I'm using a spell I developed studying the Rainbow Power,” Twilight said, one eye closed and dripping with sweat from the effort of maintaining the link. “It allows two unicorns, or alicorns in this case, to join their magic together for greater effects without needing a specialized ritual.”

“So that's your big plan to beat me? Give me even more power?” Cadance laughed.

“It goes both ways. I can use your power too,” Twilight said. “Right now you're only stronger than me because of that amulet. And I can't take it from you. But you can take it off any time you want.” Twilight smirked. “Or, in this case, your magic can take it off.”

Twilight grabbed for the Alicorn Amulet, her magic shimmering with the blue tone of Cadance's own spellcasting, or at least the tone it usually had when she wasn't using enough dark magic to make Sombra look like a lightweight.

Cadance's eyes went wide. The clasp on the amulet popped open, and Twilight pulled it free before breaking the link between her, leaving Cadance with only her own magic. The dark aura faded from around her, the mystical armor falling away and vanishing. The last thing to go was the fire from her eyes as she fell to the ground.

“No! I needed... I was finally important...” Cadance gasped, before she passed out from a combination of her injuries and the shock of losing nearly all of her magic.

“You were always important,” Twilight said, quietly. “You just never believed it.”

Author's Note

Next: The dramatic conclusion

White, Turn 1: White Pawn To E4

Scholar's Mate
White, Turn 1: White Pawn To E4
by MagnetBolt

Twilight watched as sparkling blue magic filled the platform, snaking up like smoke to fill the air with a dense magical aura. She took a step back, knowing what was coming. With a crack of lightning, a horned, winged shape appeared on the platform, looking down on those around it.

“After ten thousand years imprisoned on the moon, I'm free again!” Evil laughter rung through the room.

Twilight sighed and rolled her eyes. She waited for the laughter to stop.

“Now the stars have aligned and I will assume my rightful place as-”

“Trixie, it was a month,” Twilight said. The ominous magical aura collapsed, leaving a pale blue mare standing there. “And it was for your own good.”

“Do you know how boring it is on the moon?!” Trixie asked. “Trixie will give you a spoiler in case you ever get banished to the moon by your friends! It's really boring! There's just rocks and dust and dusty rocks! Trixie never wants to see gray again! It may have been a month, but it felt like it was at least ten thousand years.”

“From what Luna told me, Nightmare Moon's castle is twice as big as this, and even more ornate.” Twilight noted, gesturing around them to Canterlot palace as Trixie walked towards her. “She said something about a spa...”

“Trixie admits that it is extremely impressive that Nightmare Moon was able to create working plumbing on the lunar surface with no industrial equipment to help her. But the water heater was broken and Trixie had to take cold showers every morning!”

“How awful. I had to fight an ancient evil that was trying to drain all the magic of Equestria and destroy us all. Trixie, you know we sent you there so you'd be safe.”

“Trixie notices that none of you were sent to the moon for 'safety'.” The silver-maned alicorn huffed. Twilight gave her a small smile. “And from what Luna told me, you had the whole thing wrapped up in short order. You could have brought Trixie back sooner.”

“Celestia said that we couldn't change the duration of the spell after you were already transported to the moon,” Twilight explained. “If we tried to bring you back sooner, it would have caused you to snap back to the moon after the month ended. Permanently. And I didn't want you to be stuck up there that long.”

“Of course not. No doubt you were pining for Trixie every day,” the blue alicorn said, smirking.

“Are you sure you want to go there, Trixie? After what Luna said about some of the dreams you were having about me...” Twilight smiled as she trailed off, watching Trixie's expression. The blue on the mare's cheeks was replaced with a bright red, and she looked away from Twilight, finding the floor, dust motes, and generally anything else at all very interesting all of a sudden.

“Luna made a promise that she wouldn't reveal what she saw! She even said something about sticking a cupcake in her eye! I can't believe she told you!” Trixie pawed at the ground with her hoof. “I-I assure you that whatever you heard, it was probably only half as lewd as she implied, if not even more chaste and benign! Trixie is not some simple pony who would dream about such awful things, especially not the one with a swimming pool full of chocolate syrup!”

“A swimming pool full of chocolate syrup?” Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow. Trixie's wings sprung up, out of her control.

“S-she didn't tell you about that-” Trixie coughed, trying to get her wings under control. “That is, she didn't lie about the hypothetical dream which Trixie certainly did not have!”

“Actually she never told me about any of your dreams,” Twilight said, walking to the door and leaving Trixie standing in the hallway with her wings up.

“What?!” Trixie looked confused. She ran over to Twilight. “Explain yourself!”

“Even the Great and Powerful Trixie falls for a little trick now and then,” Twilight said, laughing. She kissed Trixie's cheek. “I missed you too. Now tell me about this pool full of chocolate syrup.”

“Well... that is...” Trixie's ears folded flat. “We went swimming and we got all dirty, so we needed to get all cleaned up...”

***

“I trust my old castle served you well,” Luna said, as she watched Trixie eat a third plate of food. “Of all the things I did as Nightmare Moon, 'tis the only thing I am still proud of. When I was building it and being constructive, 'twas the time I felt closest to my old self.”

“I'd like to see it someday,” Twilight said, smiling. She had eaten half of her daffodil sandwich, losing her appetite as she watched Trixie eat enough food to kill a lesser pony.

“Well you should have asked to be banished with me,” Trixie grumbled, as she polished off her salad, picking at the cranberries and walnuts left on the plate.

“Without Princess Twilight, Tirek would have taken all the magic of Equestria,” Celestia noted, sipping her tea. A plate next to her had once had cake, but it had fallen to the hunger of the solar tyrant, scourge of pastries, destroyer of baked goods.

“'Twas a most impressive battle!” Luna agreed, grinning widely. “Thou should have sen her! She fought with all of our strength and would have won through force of arms alone if Tirek had not stooped to using hostages.”

“Trixie saw the explosions from the moon,” Trixie said.

“It was really scary,” Twilight said, looking down. “Not just fighting Tirek. I was more angry than scared then. But all that power felt too much like when I became a Nightmare.”

“In that case, Trixie should have been able to defeat Tirek, since she defeated Nightmare Twilight-”

“We don't have a bunch of artifacts for you to abuse, Trixie,” Twilight pointed out. “And if you tried that again you might end up looking like Discord. We still don't know what happened exactly...” Twilight prodded Trixie's wing with a hoof.

“Actually, twas part out our plan!” Luna said, standing up. “'Twould have been impossible for Trixie to best Tirek.” Trixie looked downcast at that. “Nay, tis not a slight on you. Twilight was only able to match him with the power of four Alicorns. With only your own might, he would have been unbeatable.”

“You lost me,” Trixie said, looking at Luna.

“Twas my backup plan in case all else failed! Thou would return and confront Tirek!”

“I thought I was the backup plan,” Twilight said, looking at Celestia for confirmation.

“You were my backup plan,” Celestia said, with a small smile. “Though you grew far beyond my expectations, Twilight.”

“'Twas mostly luck,” Luna grumbled. She coughed politely and continued in a more normal voice. “My plan was that should the worst occur, you would return from the moon and, as Twilight has put it 'abuse artifacts' to defeat Tirek once and for all.”

“Wouldn't opening the Black Archive be a really bad idea with Tirek around?” Twilight asked, skeptical already of this plan. “And if he had all the alicorn magic you couldn't even get it open to begin with!”

“Aye. Tis true. But we had something prepared just in case.” Luna smirked. “A certain amulet that thou are familiar with would have provided the necessary artifact for you to abuse.”

“...The Alicorn Amulet?!” Trixie and Twilight exclaimed, at the same time. Luna nodded proudly.

“That's a really awful idea,” Twilight said. “Then Trixie would turn evil. Again.”

“'Twas a better plan than just hiding the magic in thou and hoping for the best.” Luna pouted. Celestia sighed and gave her a kind smile.

“Perhaps it's better that things worked out how they did,” the solar princess said. “Now, Luna, I think it's time for me to retire for a time and you to open Night Court.”

As the four split up, and Trixie walked with Twilight towards her tower in the castle, she couldn't help but think of the way Celestia had glared at her, every time she had thought Trixie wasn't looking.

***

“Thou are still awake?” Luna asked, looking in Celestia's room. Her sister was reading, but put the book down and stood as her sister entered.

“I've been having problems sleeping,” Celestia admitted.

“Perhaps a game of chess? You have the board set already.” Luna trotted over to Celestia's elaborate chessboard. Both princesses were considered to be masters of the game, though Luna had never managed to actually best her sister.

“Are you sure, Luna?” Celestia gave her a genuine smile. “I know you're still a bit rusty.”

“Do not think thou can go easy on me!” Luna warned. “I have had Twilight Sparkle read several books at me regarding modern chess theory.”

“Did she mention I probably wrote those books?” Celestia's grin grew wider. She didn't question Luna's phrasing. Twilight often read books at ponies instead of to them, not letting them escape or halt her dramatic reading of anything from a history book to long papers on magical theory.

“Yes, and she described ways she disagreed with your theories on the Wandering Princess opening.” Luna matched her smirk.

“Well, then.” Celestia sat at her customary place behind the white pieces. Luna sat opposite her, looking at the board.

“I don't suppose we could-” Luna gave Celestia a nervous grin.

“Luna, you know I always play white. It's expected now.” She narrowed her eyes in a mischievous grin. “The fact that white has a slight advantage is a coincidence, of course.”

“Hmph. I still say that if thy subjects didn't always allow thou to play white your reputation as a chessmaster would be for naught.”

“Ah, Luna. The fact I've made it so I traditionally always play white is because I have also mastered the metagame.” Celestia started moving her pieces, starting with a safe opening. Luna took it as an opportunity to play on the offense, taking one of Celestia's pawns as soon as it seemed vulnerable.

“Are thou slipping, sister?” Luna asked, putting the pawn aside. Celestia moved her Unicorn instead of answering, Luna having completely missed the opening she'd left on the diagonal.

Luna made a small noise of annoyance, having to halt her advance to stop the attack from Celestia's Unicorn. As that was dealt with she realized she'd reacted exactly as Celestia had intended, her Earth Pony crashing all the way from her back row into the midst of Luna's pieces, cutting off lines of attack.

“Hmph,” Luna pouted, thinking.

“I warned you, Luna,” Celestia pointed out. As Luna moved a pawn, one of Celestia's Pegasai swooped in to take the younger sister's Unicorn.

“Bah! I hate how the Pegasai move. Tis senseless how they cannot move in straight lines like Earth Ponies or Unicorns! And jumping over other pieces is unfair!”

“It represents how they can attack from the air at unexpected angles,” Celestia explained. Luna had made this same argument a thousand times, along with suggestions on how to improve the game. Celestia had indulged her once, and Luna had never brought it up again. She had ordered every copy of her improved chess game rules burned, along with the power cards and multi-level boards.

Luna thought for much longer before finally making another move, taking Celestia's Earth Pony with her Princess. Celestia immediately took Luna's Princess with her own, and looked at her sister.

“I believe that's checkmate,” Celestia said, calmly.

“I suppose so,” Luna sighed, sitting back. “I will beat thou some day.”

“Maybe, but not today,” Celestia agreed.

“There was something else I wanted to discuss with thou,” Luna said. “I know thou are not... enamored of the idea of taking Lulamoon as a student.”

“No,” Celestia agreed. “I am not. I do not trust her, or her power. I don't know where it came from and she herself has proven to be easily corrupted by authority and personal power.”

“She saved Equestria from thy own faithful student,” Luna pointed out.

“She saved Equestria from a disaster you created,” Celestia countered. Luna looked down. Celestia's glare softened as she saw how her words had hurt Luna. “Forgive me. In the wake of Tirek's attack I still find myself with too much work and too little time to do it in. I know that what happened was no fault of yours.”

“I take what blame is rightfully mine,” Luna said, quietly. “But even if you do not trust her, tis folly to allow her to continue with no training at all.”

“I do not have time to train her. Perhaps when all this is over...”

“I was hoping that, instead, you would allow me to instruct her.” Luna looked up hopefully.

“It would be doing me a favor,” Celestia said, gratefully. “I would be thankful if you would, Luna.”

“Yes! Have no worries, sister! I will make sure Lulamoon is prepared for court!”

“Just remember, Luna,” Celestia cautioned, as her sister got up and started for the door, making her pause as she starter running out. “We can't reveal what she is yet. As far as anypony knows, she's just a unicorn, and it has to stay that way.”

“I am not sure why thou so insist on that, sister.”

“I have my reasons,” Celestia said. “The court is unstable as it is. Another new princess, especially one that I was not prepared for...” Celestia shook her head.

“That always was your weakness, sister,” Luna said, as she walked out the door. “Thou are too tied down by your own plans. Tis important to be flexible! A new alicorn should be celebrated, not hidden away. Our little ponies could use something to celebrate.”

Luna didn't see the glare that Celestia gave her as she left the room. If she had, she never would have made it out the door, her sister glaring at her with the same intensity she had used when they had been mortal enemies a thousand years ago.

***

Twilight's tower was almost empty, in contrast to how it had been a few months ago when Trixie had visited the castle for the first time. The books had been pulled from the shelves, only a few titles remaining here and there among the ravaged bookcases.

“It's not as nice as the last time I was here,” Trixie noted.

“Celestia was kind enough to donate almost everything here to my new castle library in Ponyville,” Twilight said, as she ran a hoof along the dusty shelves. “I didn't realize...” she sighed. “I guess I thought this tower would always feel like home. But without the books here...” she shrugged, looking down.

“Well, in the morning, Trixie will return with you to Ponyville. No doubt your friends are already preparing some sort of party.”

“About that...” Twilight turned to look at Trixie. “Celestia wants you to stay here. She thinks there's too much chance that you'll be exposed in Ponyville.”

“You mean we're going to have to stay here for longer?” Trixie sighed, sitting down and huffing. “At least Trixie will have you to keep her company.”

“About that...” Twilight coughed. “I actually have to leave tomorrow night. I wanted to be here when you got back from the moon, but I'm in the middle of studying the power we used to defeat Tirek and I can't do it here.” When she saw Trixie's face fall she hastily continued on, sputtering. “It could be the most important thing in the world right now! It was able to defeat him when he had the power of countless ponies, Discord, and four alicorn princesses! I estimate the output at over thirty million thaums and...” Twilight looked down. “Sorry.”

Trixie sighed. “It can wait a few days, Sparkle. Or you could tell Celestia that I'm perfectly safe in Ponyville! Even if some ponies found out it would be easier to keep it quiet there than here in Canterlot.”

“You're not safe, Trixie,” Twilight said, frowning. “I mean, it's not like anyone there will hurt you-”

“Not that they could. Trixie is immortal now!”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “The point is, there's more than one kind of safe. For one thing, you still don't know how to control your powers. It took me months just to get my bearings and use basic magic safely. Learning to fly or control your strength will take even longer!”

“You underestimate Trixie, which has been your downfall before,” Trixie said, folding her hooves and turning up her nose. “In case you've forgotten, Trixie is an expert at using vast magical power.”

“Trixie, I just don't want you or anypony else to get hurt,” Twilight said, with a sigh. “I know you think you can handle it, but if my transformation is anything to go on, you could be generating fifty times as much magical power as you did before you became an alicorn!”

“Trixie can easily handle this,” the mare said, flipping her hair with a hoof and smirking.

“No, you can't. It's not just a matter of being more careful! You have to relearn all your reflexes and then manage the magical flows from pegasus and earth pony magic so you don't end up making a tornado when you just wanted to grab a book off a shelf-”

“Trixie has been stuck alone for a month on the moon!” She snapped. “Trixie had plenty of time to practice! She isn't some foal who needs to go to magic kindergarten!”

“I didn't say you were!” Twilight groaned and stood, pacing. “You just don't know how much damage you could do! I destroyed so much of the countryside that they're making new maps! I have a crater named after me! Do you know how many ponies have craters named after them?!”

“...Trixie is somewhat jealous,” the blue mare said.

Twilight made the sound of ultimate frustration, and servants who had nearly entered to ask if the two needed anything turned around very quickly and went back the other way.

“I'm a princess, Trixie. I have responsibilities. I can't just stay here and help you, there are a lot of wonderful teachers that can help you.”

“Because you can't even make time for me,” Trixie grumbled, walking away from Twilight.

“I told you how important it was to understand this rainbow power! It might be the original source of the Elements of Harmony! You just don't understand what it's like to have people looking up to you because you're not a-”

“Because I'm not a princess,” Trixie finished, fluttering her wings to remind Twilight that she had them. “Trixie would be a wonderful princess! If Celestia would just stop sending her to the moon and arrange some little ceremony with a few thousand adoring fans, Trixie could have the whole 'being a princess' thing down in no time at all.”

“Trixie, being a ruler isn't just about power and a crown,” Twilight said, exasperated. “Having wings and a horn doesn't qualify you to give orders to ponies. You have to earn their trust. Celestia has known me practically my whole life. She knows she can trust me. She hasn't had a chance to get to know you. Maybe if you actually try earning that trust you can work your way up to a crown.”

“Trixie saved Equestria twice! That should be more than enough for anypony!”

“Stop being difficult! We're trying to do what's best for all of Equestria!”

“This isn't about Equestria! You should trust Trixie's judgment!”

“And you should trust mine!”

“You didn't even decide anything! You're just doing whatever Celestia tells you to do!”

“I'm deferring to her because she knows a lot more about politics and alicorns than I do!”

“She'd rather lock Trixie away forever than have her hanging around!”

“That's not true!” Twilight stomped her hoof. “You're seeing thing that aren't there!”

“And you're refusing to see things that are!”

The two glared at each other, turning away at almost the same time. Trixie took a deep breath and opened her mouth, looking down, her expression fallen. Before she could get an apology out, Twilight stormed away.

“You can sleep on the couch. I'm taking the bed.”

***

Eventually, the morning came. As it traditionally does, save on those days when Celestia is hung over or otherwise incapacitated. In those dark times the morning was sometimes quite delayed, such as the occasion where she was captive in a dragon's lair for a month and completely lost track of what time it was. Scholars still debated on if they had missed a Thursday somewhere.

This was nearly a normal morning, though. Nearly. Twilight had almost forgotten how much she enjoyed having breakfast with Celestia. Grilled mushroom steaks and eggs served to bridge what was normally Luna's dinner with Celestia's breakfast.

“Did you sleep well?” Celestia asked Twilight. Twilight glanced at Trixie. The mare was poking at her food, with bags under her eyes. The argument from last night had meant neither of them had gotten much sleep. It obviously wasn't helping the mare's mood that Twilight had bound her wings to her side to keep the servants from seeing them.

“We're just... are you sure it isn't safe to have Trixie come back with me to Ponyville?” She looked up at Celestia. The white alicorn shook her head.

“I'm sorry, Twilight. This is for the best. Just be patient. There's a lot at stake here.” Celestia lowered her teacup. “You've been mostly insulated from the politics here. After Tirek escaped and we failed to stop him ourselves, there has been dissent in the court. Luna and I are going to have to spend a long time regaining the trust we had.”

Twilight looked at Trixie. The showmare's ears folded back.

“So the reason you don't want anypony to know about Trixie is...” Trixie said, trailing off.

“Right now what our little ponies need is stability. It hasn't even been a month since we nearly lost everything and Ponyville saw the appearance of a new castle. If you appeared out of nowhere, especially since the court knows almost nothing about you, it could be a disaster.”

“Tis why you must stay in Canterlot,” Luna added. “The sycophants and courtiers will see that Trixie is a personal friend to the princesses, and is thus of some import. They will already be accustomed to you before you are inevitably revealed.”

“I suppose,” Trixie said. “But how long will it be? A week? Two weeks?”

“I think something more like ten years would be appropriate, assuming there isn't a more opportune moment from events in the meantime,” Celestia said. Trixie's jaw dropped.

“Ten years?!” Trixie sputtered.

“It's not very long when you consider you're probably immortal now,” Celestia pointed out. “And it will give you plenty of time to escape your... previous reputation.”

“Trixie can't just hide away for a dec-” before she could finish, the doors to the room opened. A stallion trotted into the room, thick glasses perched on his snout and wearing an elaborate hat and collar, fixed in place with a jeweled pendant.

“I apologize for my tardiness, Princesses. There was a minor emergency at the school's alchemy department.” The stallion took off his hat as he sat down at the empty place setting.

“Of course, Professor Sundowner.” Celestia smiled. “I heard from one of the adjunct faculty that one of the students managed to make things interesting.”

“Princess, there's interesting and then there's nearly a ton of chlorine triflouride being produced in a vessel which immediately bursts into flames, collapses, and spills onto the floor of the hazardous chemical laboratory.”

“That sounds bad,” Twilight said, wings fluttering as her eyes went wide.

“It burned through over a meter of marble, concrete, and gravel. We tried pouring sand onto it, and the sand managed to also catch on fire. Then one of the shelves collapsed, and that had a few liters of water on it, which made things really exciting...” He sighed. “By the way, we'll need a new alchemy department, once the professors have enough counseling that they're mentally prepared to return to work.”

“I hope no one was hurt,” Celestia said.

“No, no. We have good evacuation protocols in place for just such an event. There were no serious injuries. The worst of it was that Professor Ponder twisted a knee fleeing from the fire and explosions.”

“That's good,” Twilight said, with a sigh.

“Yes,” the professor agreed, taking a cup of tea from a servant and adding precise amounts of honey and milk to it. “That said, it's good to get away from that disaster for a bit and let the grad students clean up the mess. Besides, I wanted to see how the best student Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns has ever produced was doing.”

Twilight blushed and smiled at the compliment. Trixie grumbled and poked at her food again. The professor pointedly ignored her.

“No doubt thou also remembers Trixie,” Luna said. “I have been told she also graduated with honors from my sister's school.”

“Oh I remember her,” the professor noted, adjusting his glasses and frowning at the blue showmare. “Honors would not be how I would put it. She all but cheated on her exams to the point that we had to write new rules to keep other students from doing the same things.”

“Trixie followed the letter of the rules,” the mare said, dismissively.

“Which is hardly the same as following the spirit of the rules. You were a troublemaker, and from what I've heard, you still are. I'm surprised you're sitting here and not in a dungeon somewhere for fraud. Or from what I've heard, for terrorizing Ponyville.”

“Lulamoon has performed great services for the crown,” Luna interrupted. “She is a hero of Equestria.” Luna stood up. “And starting today, she is my personal student. My sister and I have already discussed this, and feel it is the best way for her to continue her studies.”

Trixie smiled at the praise. “Trixie would be honored to be your student, Luna.”

“You could at least call her Princess Luna,” Professor Sundowner said, putting his tea down and looking at her with disdain. “Somepony like you shouldn't get too familiar with your betters.”

“Trixie supposes that you never get familiar with anypony else, then,” She turned up her nose at the stallion, just barely managing to avoid sticking out her tongue and calling him names.

“Says the student that skated by only because the Princess happened to show mercy when I would have failed her on the spot,” the Professor noted. “Luck won't always save you. Someday you will have to stand alone and you're going to find you don't have what it takes, because you squandered whatever small potential you had.”

“You have no idea what Trixie is capable of!” Trixie yelled. Twilight noted with no small amount of concern that her hooves sparked when she pounded them into the table hard enough to leave imprints on the thick wood. “She has faced down things that you couldn't have dreamed of! You would have had grad students using your hat as a bucket to carry your remains back home!”

“I doubt that,” Sundowner said. “More likely you found a frog in their garden and convinced them it was a swamp dragon that you'd defeated. Whatever small things you've accomplished have no doubt been blown out of proportion with each telling of the tale, just like every excuse you made in school.”

“Professor, Trixie is among the most powerful magic-users in Equestria,” Twilight said, frowning. She had neatly avoided saying unicorn, which was inaccurate, or alicorn, which was secret.

“She certainly says so at every opportunity,” Sundowner said.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie-” Trixie started, standing and stomping with enough force to crack the marble floor and send blue sparks skittering across the room.

“Oh no, she's starting using titles again,” Twilight groaned.

“-Laughs at your doubt!” Trixie then, of course, laughed. “You clearly don't understand her power! Long ago you might have impressed me, but Trixie has become much stronger than you could ever be.”

“Here we go again,” Sundowner said, sighing. “More of this useless boasting.”

“You see, Professor, you're not dealing with the average unicorn spellcaster. I am the Great and Powerful Trixie!”

“Trixie, please...” Celestia rolled her eyes.

“That's right, Professor. I've arisen beyond the limits of a normal unicorn, and into the realm of legend. The legend that you fear. The legend known throughout Equestria as the most powerful spellcaster to ever exist! I, the Great and Powerful Trixie have become-”

Twilight kicked her in the shin, cutting her off. “Trixie, remember those things you're not supposed to do, which you are currently doing?” She whispered harshly.

“Oh, right. I, um. The Great and Powerful Trixie believes her point has been made.”

“Indeed it has,” Professor Sundowner said dryly. “You're still as much of a useless braggart as you were in school. I can't imagine how you managed to con Princess Luna into teaching you, but I suppose given her history she couldn't find a better student.”

Luna's jaw dropped at Sundowner's slander. Celestia's eyes narrowed slightly, which those closest to her would know meant she was fuming with barely-contained anger. Twilight was simply speechless.

“Perhaps you would care to rephrase that,” Celestia said, her tone carefully even and measured as she put down everything she was holding in her telekinetic grip. The teacup already had a hairline fracture in it from a momentary loss of control.

“I mean no offense, of course,” Sundowner said, not sounding like he meant it.

“Well Trixie takes great offense!” The mare's horn sparked, and though Sundowner couldn't see it with the table concealing her lower half, Twilight noted with alarm that wisps of magic were rising up from her hooves and starting to show through her bandages. “You are unfit to be a teacher!”

“And you have always been unfit to be a student!” He snapped. “If it was up to me you'd go back to magic kindergarten and stay there for the rest of your life! You don't respect authority, knowledge, or your betters!”

“Trixie would be more impressed if you had authority over more than just the students you abuse, knowledge that applied outside of the classroom, or were actually better than her in any way.” The mare glared across the table.

“I think we are all letting this get out of hoof,” Celestia said, standing. “We should stop and think for a few moments before somepony says something they regret.”

“I won't stand for somepony like you thinking they're anywhere near as good as me!” The Professor stood, knocking Celestia's teacup over as he bumped the table. Celestia looked down at her spilled tea as it dripped onto the floor.

“Trixie concurs,” Trixie smirked. “I'm not nearly as good as you are. To say it would besmirch Trixie's amazing power. She is not nearly as good as you, she is far above you.”

“That's it!” The Professor snapped. “I'm going to put you in your place! You want to keep boasting about how good you are? Well then you can prove it! I challenge you to a magic duel!”

Author's Note

“Oh my, how deliciously ironic.”

No, Discord, these are the Author's Notes. Get out of here!

Anyway, I've decided to start working on a short sequel to The Unchosen One, possibly as a bit of a breather before I do a more proper adventure. It's also a bit of a break from The Dark Mare, in both tone and content.

As always, if anyone would like to edit these now or before they're posted, give me a holler. I can always use another set of eyes on these and I know my writing is far from perfect. The dangers of writing while either drunk or on so much caffeine that the world develops auras and a noticeable tremor!

Black, Turn 1: Black Pawn to E5

Scholar's Mate
Black, Turn 1: Black Pawn to E5
by MagnetBolt

“Trixie, this is a terrible idea,” Twilight said as she paced in a circle. Trixie watched her start wearing a hole in the castle floor. “You can't get in a magic duel with him!”

“Trixie reminds you that she was the one challenged, not the other way around,” Trixie said. She was sitting in front of an ancient tome she'd borrowed to brush up a bit on advanced spellcasting before the duel. Unfortunately, it seemed the ancient tome was Ye Old Foal's Guide To Thaumaturgy, and consequently wasn't helping very much.

“You can still call it off. Apologize to him, then we'll get him to apologize to you and Luna, and then we can end this without anypony having to be hurt,” Twilight said. She turned to find Trixie ignoring her and flipping through the yellowed pages of her book. “Trixie! Pay attention!”

“Trixie heard you the first time.” She looked up at Twilight and frowned. “But you need to listen too. This is a matter of honor for Trixie!”

“It's not about honor!” Twilight snapped. “You could kill him!”

Trixie raised an eyebrow and smiled at that. “So you don't doubt Trixie's power, at least.”

“Of course not.” Twilight sighed. “But that's the problem. You're probably like...” she sat on her haunches and tried to gather her thoughts. “...given what I've seen, and the average alicorn limits that I've established with the limited available data... probably around twenty times as magically powerful as he is.”

“Hah! A simple challenge now that the Great and Powerful Trixie matches your raw power!”

“Actually, I'm a lot stronger than- that's not important right now.” Twilight cut herself off before another argument started. “The point is, imagine if you challenged a foal to a wrestling contest. You could really hurt him without meaning to.”

“Trixie won't kill him. But she might hurt him just a little so he'll remember to have more respect next time he speaks to Trixie or Luna.”

“You're letting your power get to your head! Again!” Twilight fumed. “Didn't you learn anything from when you had the Alicorn Amulet and went insane?!”

“You mean when Trixie was about as powerful as she is now?”

“Yes!”

“And she was being manipulated by an evil magical artifact?”

“Again, yes.”

“And she still didn't really hurt anypony?”

“Y- that's not the point!”

“Isn't it?” Trixie stood up and trotted over to Twilight. “Trixie is in full control of herself, and despite what you and Celestia seem to think... I can handle it.” Her voice softened. “Just trust me, Twilight. I promise not to do anything to hurt him. But I'm not just going to run away with my tail between my legs. The last time I did that you had to drag me away from a rock farm.”

Twilight blushed. “Maybe you're right. It's just that Professor Sundowner was always such a nice pony when I was in school. He might just be having a bad day. I think if everypony slept on it and came back with a clear head, there wouldn't need to be a duel at all.”

“Maybe, but Trixie isn't so sure. He has always hated the way I did things.” She sighed, looking down. “He wasn't kidding when he said I only passed because Princess Celestia happened to be watching and thought my solutions were amusing.”

“And she knew that finding a different solution is sometimes even more important than doing things the way everypony else does.” Twilight gave Trixie a smile and wrapped a hoof around her shoulders. “Besides, you graduated. It's not like you have to care what he thinks about you.”

“Unless Celestia does send me back to magic kindergarten,” Trixie quipped. “To be honest, I think she would if she thought she could get away with it. It'd certainly keep me out of her mane for, ugh, ten years.” She stuck her tongue out.

“I don't think it's actually going to be that long,” Twilight said.

“It'd be longer if Sundowner was put in charge of grading my tests. He once failed me for a whole semester just because of one little mistake!”

“One little mistake?” Twilight raised an eyebrow.

Trixie looked to the side, as if deciding how much of the truth to tell. “I might have gotten frustrated studying for tests and used divination magic to determine the answers ahead of time.”

“Trixie, that's cheating!” Twilight gasped. From across the room, someone laughed.

“Hah! Wonderful!” Trixie and Twilight turned to look, Twilight glaring at the mismatched chimeric figure. Discord wiped a tear of mirth from one eye and grinned at the two. “I think I like having this new princess around. She's a lot more fun than the rest of you.”

“Discord, why are you here?” Twilight asked with a groan.

“Well I was just passing by on my way to see Fluttershy and a little bird told me that there was something exciting going on.” A sparrow appeared, perching on one of his horns.

“Trixie's going to explode a stuffy old professor with her amazing cosmic power!” The bird tweeted, with a voice almost exactly like Trixie's, just pitched a little higher.

“Songbirds just can't keep secrets,” Discord said as the bird flew off. “But once I heard the news, I knew I'd just have to step in and watch this. Tell me, were you going to banish him from Canterlot if you won? Then again, you're an alicorn now. Perhaps you'd prefer to put him in the statue garden. It's a lovely place, except for the pigeons.”

“Trixie isn't going to kill him or turn him into a statue!” Twilight yelled.

“Well, I'm not going to kill him,” Trixie said, quietly. “Trixie will keep the option of petrification open though.”

“Trixie!” Twilight said, turning from Discord to give her a look.

Trixie sighed, relenting. “Fine. Trixie won't turn him to stone or banish him to the moon or set him on fire or whatever else it is you're afraid she'll do to him.”

“Good,” Twilight said. “But just keep one thing in mind.” She got close to whisper in Trixie's ear. “If Discord thinks this is a good idea it means something's wrong. Be careful.”

***

The castle's rear terrace garden was a quiet place, open and away from the rest of the city, looking over waterfalls instead of homes. It was private, somewhere the princesses could go that they wouldn't be bothered.

Today it was a place where there wasn't an unacceptable risk of collateral damage. Twilight looked around at the hedges and fountains nervously.

“Is this really safe?” She asked. “Anypony could just walk out here, especially if they're looking for one of us. And it's not a large area. If something goes out of control, the spell could go right at the castle!”

“That would be terrible, wouldn't it? It might add a splash of color to these dull surroundings.” Discord appeared next to the castle wall, a paintbrush in hand. A mural had appeared on the wall depicting Celestia from a rather flattering angle, if one that she'd probably prefer not to have on the side of the castle. Assuming she didn't enjoy having ponies staring at her flank from a low and very personal angle, that is.

Twilight blushed and stammered, but before she could say anything, Celestia coughed politely. “Discord, I didn't know you had such a crush on me. Between this and the flowers, it's obvious you're quite smitten.” She gave him a small smile. Discord paled and scribbled over the mural before making it vanish entirely.

“Clearly that art is simply too advanced for ponies of this age,” Discord muttered.

“And to answer your question, Twilight,” Celestia continued, turning to her former student. “This garden used to be used for magic duels before they became... out of fashion.” She walked over to one corner of the terrace and used a hoof to clean off one of the paving stones. “Do you see the inscription?”

Twilight trotted over to look, leaning down to examine what she had revealed. “There's a circle cut deep into the marble, lined with iron, and these lines...” Her mouth kept moving as she trailed off, calculating and thinking. “This is part of a magic shield.”

Celestia smiled. “Exactly. If you and Luna would help me clean off the other tiles, we can set up a curtain between them that will dispel any spells that try to pass through them.”

“It looks similar to what they had in the Equestria Games, but...” Twilight considered. “This spell looks a lot more complicated.”

“The spell used for the Equestria Games is much more modern,” Celestia said. “This is almost as old as Canterlot, and I'm afraid some of the court magicians at the time prided themselves on not only the efficacy of their spells but on the complexity. Sometimes I think their secrecy and obfuscation set magical development back by decades.” She sighed, then smiled more broadly at Twilight. “Then again, you seem to be able to pick their magic apart easily. Maybe they weren't as good as they thought.”

Twilight blushed. “Well, I mean, anypony could-” she started to stammer, staring at her hooves.

“Oh how cute.” Below Twilight's hooves, a new carving had appeared, the lines in the stone moving as Discord walked around the magic circle, the runes spinning like a wheel as he jogged. “Looks like someone still has a crush on teacher. Just be careful your little blue marefriend doesn't get too jealous. She's got a bad habit of going over the line, you know.”

“That's rich coming from you,” Twilight said. Discord slithered up, the carving filling out into his body as he pulled away from the stone. “You're the master of going over the line.”

“Well, then, you should probably listen to what I say, since I am a master.” Discord grinned, leaning over to whisper. “Senpai would never notice you anyway.”

“Discord, could you please assist Luna with cleaning the dispel curtain?” Celestia smiled, pointedly ignoring everything he was saying.

“Oh of course, Princess. I'll go help the Princess. Excuse me, Princess and Princess.” He vanished in a burst of white light.

“While they clean things up, we should go over the rules.” Celestia stepped past the still-blushing Twilight to look at Sundowner and Trixie, who were glaring at each other. “Each of you will take turns casting spells. The winner will be the first pony who cannot match or exceed the feat of the other pony.”

“I expect that should take only a few seconds, given my opponent's natural ability, or rather the lack thereof.” Sundowner said, confidently.

“You are not allowed to harm your opponent intentionally during the duel. Using combat magic is against the rules, and death spells are both against the rules and highly illegal.” She fixed Trixie with a look. “No disintegrations.”

“As you wish.” Trixie rolled her eyes. Sundowner frowned.

“Why did she look directly at you when she said that?” Sundowner asked.

“Luna and I will raise the dispelling curtain ourselves to make sure it has enough power,” Celestia continued. “Twilight will assist us with judging. We will of course be impartial, even though you insulted my sister and my former student's friend.” She gave Sundowner a small smile.

***

Celestia and Luna stood at opposite ends of the garden. With a nod across the grass, the two acted in concert, their horns glowing. The runes carved into the paving stones flared to light, shimmering with blue and yellow magic.

“Almost every single one of these stones is enchanted!” Twilight said, kneeling to look at the ground around her. “The circle she cleaned off must just be an anchor point for the enchantment...”

“Trixie is surprised it works at all. Celestia said that dueling had gone out of style here a long time ago.” The blue mare frowned, thinking.

“This is Canterlot, not some backwater town where things are left to rot,” Sundowner snorted. “We preserve the past here. But of course that's something that a mare like you couldn't possibly understand, since you don't respect it.”

“Trixie has great respect for the past!” Trixie straightened up. “You simply don't understand Trixie at all, because you don't respect her. Of course, after this little duel you'll be forced to admit that Trixie is one of the greatest and most powerful in all of Equestria.”

“We'll see about that,” Sundowner muttered, adjusting his cloak and the jeweled amulet holding it closed.

***

The day before the magic duel, Sundowner had been surprised when a summons appeared in his inbox, Princess Celestia requesting to speak with him immediately. He had left immediately, leaving grad students to supervise the alchemy lab, to see what the solar princess required of him.

“Come in,” Celestia said, just before he could knock on the door to her chambers. The guards carefully avoided looking at him as he passed by, making the professor feel oddly invisible. As he pushed the door open, he saw Celestia looming over a desk full of papers and odd trinkets, clearly in the middle of something.

“I'm sorry, Princess. Is this a bad time? I can come back later-” He started to back out, but the door shut solidly behind him with a burst of yellow magic.

“No, I called you here. It's hardly a bad time when I made the appointment myself.” She smiled, but her eyes were tight and narrow. Sundowner had never seen her like this.

“What's wrong, Princess?” Sundowner asked. Celestia waved him over with a hoof and motioned for him to sit.

“There are a lot of things wrong, of course. But there is one thing in particular that I could use some outside help with.” She shuffled the papers in front of her. “I trust you're familiar with a pony named Trixie Lulamoon.”

Sundowner snorted dismissively. “I used to teach her. She was always lazy, looking for the easy way out of doing any real work. From what I understand, she didn't bother keeping up with her studies after she graduated.”

“That's not entirely inaccurate,” Celestia agreed.

“I'm curious as to how she could be a problem for you. I'm sure she's committed enough crimes that you could just throw her in the dungeon whenever you wanted. Do you know how many times we had to revise the student handbook because of her? I never thought we'd have to put anti-scrying spells on our test answers, either.”

“Unfortunately, there are certain things keeping me from doing just that.” Celestia sat back. “There are political concerns that I cannot reveal, but she has also, unfortunately, managed to impress my former student. Princess Twilight would never let her marefriend sit in the dungeon for long.”

“Ah,” Sundowner said, not entirely understanding. “That does seem to be a difficult situation. I'm not sure how I can help, though.”

“You'll be having breakfast with me in the morning,” Celestia said. “Trixie will be there. It would be helpful if you could put her in her place. I'd do it myself, but I'm not in a position where I can do that right now.”

“I see...” Sundowner said. “I don't think I'm the right pony for this, your highness. I haven't thought about her since she graduated, and what she's doing is no business of mine.”

“I think you are the right pony for the job. You obviously have strong opinions about her.” Celestia floated a paper towards him. “And I see you've been applying for grants to do research on aquatic sentient life in Hoofwai'i. I might be more inclined to approve this grant if you were to help me with this little matter.”

Sundowner blushed. “Well, that is-”

“Just think about it, Professor. You just do a little favor for me, and you can go on a nice little trip and chase seaponies.”

“I would have to, ah, consider...” he trailed off. A small wooden box landed in front of him. Celestia opened it, and he looked inside, confused.

“It's just a little something for you to wear to breakfast.” Celestia smiled, though no mirth made it to her eyes.

***

A curtain of shimmering energy rose up from the ground, shifting between blue and yellow as it wavered in the air. Celestia and Luna stepped back from it at the same time.

“Twilight, could you please try casting a spell through the barrier?” Celestia asked. Twilight nodded and created a glowing sphere shining with harmless light. She struck it with a hoof like it was a ball, and it bounced into the wall, dissipating harmlessly into sparks.

“Looks like it worked,” Twilight said. “Do you have any books about how to create a wall like this? I'd love to study it. I bet with a few tweaks you could create a spell that would surround a pony with an anti-magic field and keep spells from harming them!”

“Maybe later,” Celestia said, resisting the urge to ruffle Twilight's mane. Whenever there was a chance to learn new things, Twilight's face always lit up like a foal's on Hearth's Warming Day. “Now, are the two of you ready for the magic duel?” She looked at Trixie and Sundowner. The two stood on their marks, circular paving stones a few paces wide and raised above the level of the ground just enough to make them stand out.

“Trixie is always ready for anything. And after the foes she's fought, this should be nothing.” Trixie smirked as she looked at Sundowner.

“Unlike whatever you've done before, cheating won't help you here,” Sundowner countered. “Only experience, talent, and power. All of which I have and which you lack.”

Trixie laughed. “You have no idea what you're dealing with.”

Celestia sighed. “You may begin when you're ready. Trixie, as the challenged, you may cast the first spell.”

Trixie considered for a moment. “Trixie will start with something simple. Otherwise this will be over all too quickly.” She focused, and light appeared around her horn. After a moment, it pulled away, floating around her, then split into four parts that danced around her body in time to a slowly swelling beat.

“Barely a spell at all,” Sundowner commented. “A foal could have managed that.”

“Good,” Trixie replied, snidely. “Then it should just barely be within your ability.”

***

Meanwhile, Twilight frowned. She quietly turned to Celestia. “That spell... her horn isn't still lit. How is she keeping it up?”

“Oh, it's simple, really,” Discord said, pushing between Twilight and her mentor so the purple princess was looking at his misshapen face. “She just took the light from her horn and put it over there. I'm surprised a princess of magic hadn't figured it out already.”

“You can't just... do that with a spell!” Twilight said, confused. “If you remove the light the magic aura goes along with it and-and-” she sputtered and stopped.

“Now Twilight, I thought your mind was a bit more open than that.” With a flash of light, a dunce cap appeared on her head. “It's such a basic spell, too. Oh well. Off to magic kindergarten with you, then!” Discord handed her a saddlebag full of books and a scroll with the word 'homework' scrawled across the top, right before a long list of assignments. “If you get it all done by tomorrow, I'll let you play with your friends at recess.”

“Discord,” Celestia warned. The chaos spirit sighed and snapped his talon, the cap and accessories vanishing again.

“She never lets me have any fun.”

***

“Illusions are the most basic spells,” Sundowner said with a huff. “They have no real substance and are only good for entertaining children and impressing idiots. I suppose in that regard, you have a lot in common with them. It's no wonder that was your opening act.”

“Oh please,” Trixie rolled her eyes. “You wouldn't know a good illusion if your life depended on it.” Her expression shifted into a predatory grin. “Of course, with a really good illusion, that's the point.”

“All I hear is blah blah blah,” Sundowner said. His horn lit up with a flash of red light and the stone under Trixie's hooves was suddenly as slick as ice, covered with a slippery grease. Trixie squeaked as her hooves shot out from under her and she scrambled for traction before losing her balance entirely and falling squarely on her face.

“Ow,” she muttered, crawling to the edge of the patch of grease and standing.

“I'm sorry, did your pride take a fall there, or was it just you?” Sundowner laughed.

“Conjuring grease. Hmph. It's what Trixie should have expected from a slimeball like you.” She brushed herself off, rubbing her sore snout. “You won't even see Trixie's next spell coming!”

“Assuming you can even cast anything worthwhile,” the professor noted. Trixie's horn lit up with blue light, and she rippled and completely vanished from sight.

***

“Ah, yes. Grease. That's always good for slapstick,” Discord noted. “It takes someone with a real respect for the classics to use that.”

“I hope she didn't hurt her nose,” Twilight said.

“Oh, she's fine. Usually you follow up grease with a fire spell to light it up, but I suspect that's against the rules. And I doubt it would do much to her, anyway.”

Twilight frowned and looked at Discord. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, nothing.” He smiled. “Say, that's a nice little invisibility spell she's got going on.”

Twilight turned back, having missed Trixie casting it. “Where did she go?”

“It wouldn't be a very good invisibility spell if you could tell that, now would it?”

Twilight groaned and cast a spell, her eyes glowing with blue light. “Well all I have to do is look for the magical aura given off by the invisibility spell and then I can... where is it? There's no aura to her invisibility spell!”

“Maybe it's invisible,” Discord noted, smirking.

***

“Clever, but that won't work.” The professor looked around, considering. “Even if you're invisible there are simple ways to locate you. Not that I need them.” He smirked and his horn lit up with a red light. A spark shot out and exploded into countless sticky strands, enveloping a huge area with webs.

Trixie sputtered and became visible, trying to get a stray strand out of her mouth. “A web spell, really?! Nopony uses those anymore! Your spells are even older and crustier than you are!”

“That's the attitude that always got you detentions. You have no respect for anypony else! You can complain all you want about my spell, but it foiled your invisibility and trapped you there! It worked exactly as I intended it to. It's reliable and useful, but you wouldn't know what those words mean.”

Trixie rolled her eyes. “I'm hardly trapped here.” She lifted a hoof effortlessly.

The professor frowned. “You shouldn't be able to move at all. You'd have to be as strong as an ox to pull away from that spell!”

“Trixie has been working out,” She explained. Her horn lit up, and nothing appeared to happen.

Sundowner snorted and laughed. “What's wrong? Another fizzled spell?”

From right next to him, a voice whispered in his ear. “Trixie thinks you've been confused by her afterimage technique.”

Sundowner screamed, spinning to face Trixie, who had appeared right next to him. His horn lit up with a ruby light, and his eyes flashed red as he unleashed a huge blast of ice magic in a wide swathe, the spell only stopping at the anti-magic curtain.

***

“Trixie!” Twilight screamed, standing and running towards the shimmering field of light.

“Oh, I'm sure she's fine,” Discord said, dismissively.

Celestia stomped a hoof with a sound like thunder. “Professor Sundowner! Clover's Cone of Chill is a combat spell! That is against the terms of this duel!”

“It was an accident!” Sundowner said, angrily. “She surprised me! It doesn't count if I was surprised!” He stomped a hoof.

“Is Trixie okay?!” Twilight got to the edge of the dueling area and stopped, looking around. Almost a quarter of the garden was covered in a thick layer of frost, the extreme cold filling the space with mist.

“A-as if such a pathetic spell could hurt the great and powerful Trixie!” The mare stood up, shaking off a layer of frost and snow. “T-that felt like no more than a mere breeze to Trixie!”

“Pegasus magic protects against extremes of cold,” Luna whispered, as she stepped close enough to Twilight to explain. “Also electricity, but I do not suggest thou try firing bolts of lightning at Lulamoon to test that out.”

“I guess that explains why I didn't need a scarf at the last Winter Wrap Up...” Twilight said, thinking.

“Trixie, he used a combat spell against you,” Celestia said. “As the victim, you have the right to declare yourself winner... by default.” She emphasized the last part. Twilight turned to look at her. “You can withdraw now with no loss of honor or need to prove yourself further.”

“Trixie would never declare herself the winner by default when facing a lowly opponent like this!” The mare adjusted her mane, looking at the professor haughtily.

“Celestia, you know she'd never agree if you put it like that!” Twilight whispered harshly.

“It's just the formal way of making the rules clear. I suppose the official wording would seem a bit insulting to a mare like Trixie.” Celestia looked thoughtful. Twilight frowned at that.

***

“So what are you going to do for your next little trick?” Sundowner asked. “Let me guess, more fireworks? It's the only thing you ever managed to be good at. All of your tricks are just low-level spells and sleight of hoof, and you talk it up so much that it fools idiots into thinking you're not as worthless as you really are!”

“Fireworks, hm? That sounds like a wonderful idea. A display that all of Canterlot can see.” Trixie looked up. Her hooves sparked against the ground, and at her sides, a flickering light shone through her bandages. Thankfully, the Professor followed her gaze upwards as she sent a coruscating ball of light upwards, where it exploded into brilliant sparks that filled the sky.

And they spelled out 'Trixie is the Greatest'.

“That's all?” Sundowner asked, smirking. “I mean, I shouldn't have expected much.” His horn lit up with red light, and with a gesture he wiped away the sparks hanging in the sky with a bright crimson beam.

“You missed a spot,” Trixie noted, pointing up. Sundowner frowned and looked. High above, the clouds had been twisted into a new shape. They spelled out words, in gray stormclouds over white puffs.

In fact, what they spelled out was 'Trixie is the Most Powerful'. Lightning danced around the letters, illuminating them from behind with flickering blue light.

Sundowner screamed with frustration and shot a blood-red fireball into the sky, the heat blasting away the clouds. He turned to Trixie with an evil grin.

“Just another pathetic parlor trick,” He said. Trixie, somehow, was still smirking at him.

“You... missed a spot,” She repeated, pointing again. Sundowner's eye twitched, and he looked up. There, beyond the clouds, he could make out stars, hanging in the morning sky. And they depicted the same smirking face that was laughing at him right now.

***

“How did she do that?!” Twilight demanded.

“There's no roof to the field,” Luna explained. “I believe if 'tis like the dueling fields in the old days, it was constructed such so that no dangerous resonance could build up within. Trixie merely took advantage of that.”

“That's not what I mean,” Twilight said. “I understand that magic can be used to manipulate clouds. Rarity managed it when she had Dash's cutie mark. But the stars? And doing all of it at the same time?!”

“'Tis a striking use of my night sky, giving a select few stars enough extra light to shine during the day. I thought the tome I gave her might be of some use. The spell was created to allow for easier observation of dim stars by astronomers, but to use it on so many at once speaks impressively of her power.”

“My favorite part was where she made him so angry that he's just one little push from trying to kill her,” Discord said, munching on a bag of popcorn. Twilight looked to him with horror. He smiled and offered her the bag. “Want some? It's just starting to get good.”

***

“That's it! I've had enough of this- of this nonsense!” Sundowner screamed, crimson light bursting from his horn to form a cage around Trixie. After a moment, solid plates of magic slammed shut over the bars. “There! Let's see you try something when you're stuck inside a solid cage of magical force!”

“That's not bad,” Trixie said as she walked out from behind the professor, tapping the outside of the cage with a hoof. “This is a top-tier spell. A unicorn like you shouldn't even be able to make solid walls of magic like this.”

“Thank you, I do- wait, what do you mean a unicorn like- how did you get out?!” Sundowner's eyes went wide.

“Trixie used to do an escape artist act before her caravan was destroyed.” She smirked at the professor.

“That doesn't explain anything! Those walls shouldn't have even let you teleport out, and they're sealed air-tight!”

“That's true,” Trixie agreed. “If Trixie had been inside it, she would have been caught quite securely.” She tapped on the side of the cage again. “But Trixie was never inside it.”

“That's not possible. I can tell with the alarm on the spell that somepony is in there! It's not just some illusion or trick!”

“Somepony is in there,” Trixie said, turning away from Sundowner. “You are.”

With that, the illusion of the grassy field vanished, and Sundowner found himself inside the cage he had created, staring at the softly glowing red walls.

***

Sundowner's screams were just barely audible from outside the cage. If it really was airtight, he was yelling extraordinarily loudly. And Twilight was sure that some of the words he was using were illegal to say at that volume.

“Oho,” Luna chortled. “She used a baleful transposition spell to switch her location with Sundowner's and at the same time created a hallucinatory terrain effect, so he would think he had never moved at all.”

“What I don't understand is how she's casting two or three spells at once,” Twilight said, frowning. “I mean power is one thing, but most of the spells she's used aren't that powerful, even if there are some effects to them that don't make any logical sense.”

“There's no fun to be had in making sense all the time,” Discord countered. “It's magic! It's better off without quite so many restrictions. Besides, she's just using her wings and hooves.”

“You can't cast spells with wings and hooves, Discord.” Twilight rolled her eyes.

“Maybe you can't.” Discord smirked, flapping his tiny, mismatched wings.

***

The cage shook and wobbled for almost a minute before Sundowner finally managed to take his own spell apart, the magic walls turning into motes of light as they cracked and buckled. He was panting from exhaustion as he stepped out, his mane ragged and cloak torn.

He found Trixie relaxing in a lounge chair, sipping a blue drink with a tiny umbrella. She raised the sunglasses she was wearing to look at him.

“Oh, you're back,” Trixie said. “If you'd taken much longer, Trixie would have had to step in and help you get out of your own little trap.”

“I'm going to turn you into a newt and give you to a grad student,” Sundowner growled. “I have no idea how you have so much cheek, but you're going to pay for trying to humiliate me in front of the princesses!”

Trixie stood up, the lounge chair and drink vanishing. “You were doing an excellent job of humiliating yourself without Trixie's help.”

“If the Princesses weren't there, I'd hit you with so much combat magic you wouldn't even leave a stain on the ground,” Sundowner said, quietly enough that only Trixie could hear him.

She laughed. “Trixie would love to see you try.”

“Laugh while you can!” Sundowner snapped. “I've seen the peak of your power, and I'm only beginning to tap into mine! Your illusions and parlor tricks won't save you!”

Trixie patiently waited for him to start casting.

“You might think you're so great and powerful just because you're clever enough to have your tricks work against a top-level unicorn. But now you're going to see real power. The kind of power that only comes from going beyond that of a top-level unicorn!”

Trixie rolled her eyes at that. “You really don't know what you're in for.”

“No, you just don't know what you're dealing with.” His eyes lit up bright red, and the jeweled amulet around his neck gleamed. Trixie frowned, really looking at it for the first time. It was mostly hidden by the folds of his cloak, but the black metal and red gem looked all too familiar.

“Wait, is that-” she blinked.

“When this is over, you're going to be crying like a lost little foal,” Sundowner growled. Magic started to pulse around his horn, surrounding him with red light. Trixie could just barely see the edges of the spell, the telltale distortion of time manipulation, before there was a sudden discontinuity.

***

Sundowner panted with exertion in the sudden silence. The noise around him had stopped. He looked out to the waterfalls and saw the torrent frozen in midair, each droplet gleaming like a jewel hovering in the air.

“I did it!” He exclaimed. “A time freeze spell! Not that anypony else is going to be able to appreciate it like I do.” He snarled and turned back to Trixie, the mare frozen with her mouth open and a confused look on her face.

“Hmph,” Sundowner snorted. “To think that's the last expression you'll ever have. It's fitting; confused and afraid, just like you always were.” He started pacing around her, marveling at the effect of the spell. “I used to think this spell was impossible, but it's so beautiful.”

Sundowner looked up at clouds frozen in place. Birds caught with their wings mid-flap. Outside the dueling field, he could see Celestia, with her small smile.

“Ah yes. She did want me to put you in your place. I thought she meant that I should crush your spirit, but I think it's clear that the only place she meant for you to go was a shallow grave.” Sundowner's horn flashed, and a dozen knives appeared, floating in the air around him.

His concentration was interrupted by a loud crunching sound. Sundowner's mane stood on end as he slowly turned to look at Discord. The draconequus slurped loudly on a drink and then shoveled more popcorn into his maw, chewing slowly and deliberately.

“Oh, don't mind me,” the chaos spirit said. “Carry on.”

Sundowner forced himself to focus again on Trixie. The blades floated in the air around him. After a moment, he took a step back. “N-no. I shouldn't do this. I can't just kill her.” He tried to take another step back. As he did, the amulet around his neck flashed again, and his expression changed. “But the princess is counting on me. And I can't just let a pathetic lout like her beat me!”

Sundowner focused, and the knives flashed through the air at Trixie, the showmare frozen in place and unable to defend herself.

“Die, you charlatan!” Sundowner screamed.

Just as the knives were about to reach her, the blue aura around her horn blazed brighter. Sparks floated up from the ground where her hooves touched the earth, and as Sundowner watched in mounting horror, a ghostly image of wings spread wide from her sides. Everything seemed to slow down as a phantom of magical power pulled away from Trixie's frozen body, knocking the knives away with a hoof, sending them spinning uselessly into the dirt.

“That's impossible,” Sundowner whispered.

“Now things are getting really interesting,” Discord said, his snacks and drink vanishing as he watched what unfolded in the frozen time.

***

Trixie stumbled, confused. She had seen Sundowner casting a spell she didn't recognize, then everything had gone sideways. Just for a moment, she thought she had seen something strange, but now that the moment had passed she wasn't sure what it had been.

Sundowner was lying on his side near the other side of the dueling arena, breathing heavily and obviously unable to stand. Trixie took a step towards him and her hoof fell on the hilt of a knife. She froze in place, looking at it.

“What just happened?” She asked slowly, looking around.

“I think it's obvious that this is over,” Discord said, snapping his fingers. The shield around the arena flared white for a moment and vanished. Twilight ran over to Trixie, the mare looking around her at the scattered blades.

“Where did these come from?” Twilight asked. Trixie shrugged.

“Trixie isn't sure. They don't look like her style. But- Sundowner! He has the Alicorn Amulet!” She bolted towards the fallen stallion. As she came close, she skidded to a stop, looking down at him in horror. His mane had turned gray, and he was dried up and wrinkled, like he'd aged a hundred years in an instant.

“What happened to him?” Twilight gasped. “Did you use an age spell on him?”

“The good professor did this to himself,” Discord said, leaning over from where he had appeared behind the two mares. “How awful. Make one little mistake with a time stop spell and you end up wasting a century in an instant. You really should have checked the math on those Heisenberg compensators.” Discord grinned down at the fallen stallion, Sundowner too weak to stand.

“He did this to himself with a failed spell?” Twilight asked.

“It's not possible... how did she move in the frozen time...” Sundowner gasped, trying to rise up, eyes wide. He looked at Trixie. “No! Stay away from me! Take the amulet! I don't want it! Just leave me alone!” He tore the amulet from around his neck and scrambled away, not strong enough to completely stand, crawling in the dirt away from the mare.

“He really did have it,” Twilight said, picking the amulet up carefully with her magic, holding it as far away from her body as she could. “How did he get it?”

“That's an excellent question, Twilight,” Celestia said, stepping past her and picking up Sundowner with her magic, at the same time taking the amulet from her former student. “I will have many questions to ask him about this. Trixie, you've clearly won this duel and upheld your honor and the honor of my sister.” Celestia smiled at her.

“It was nothing, of course,” Trixie said, waving a hoof. “Do you think you can... fix him?”

“The spell he used was complicated, but it might be possible reverse at least some of the aging,” Celestia said. “Luna, can you make sure Twilight and Trixie are taken care of? I'm going to find out just how this Amulet got in his hooves.”

“Of course, sister,” Luna said. “Come, we shall have a drink to your honor. You have not only defeated him, but done so despite his cheating!”

Celestia walked away, expression darkening as she walked inside and away from where the others could see her.

“How interesting indeed...” Discord muttered, watching the proceedings.

***

“Trixie, I'm sorry I doubted you. But you have to admit that I was right, and he did get hurt. And if you were just a normal unicorn, that blast of cold could have given you frostbite or worse.” Twilight said as they sat together, each with a glass of wine. Luna had left them so she could retire and get some rest before it came time to raise the moon.

“Trixie-” the mare started, stopping as Twilight raised a hoof.

“That said, I was wrong. You clearly do know what you're doing with your power. I should have trusted you more.” Twilight smiled at Trixie, reaching over to touch her hoof.

“Does this mean you'll stay in Canterlot with Trixie after all?” Trixie gave Twilight a hopeful look.

“I can't. But you know, this happened to me once before.”

“You had a marefriend get turned into an alicorn? And she was forced to stay in Canterlot while you ran off to Ponyville to study?”

“You know, even when you say it like that, I think my statement still stands. When I was growing up, I didn't have a lot of friends. The truth is, Princess Celestia was probably the closest thing I had to a real friend. When she sent me away to study friendship, I thought...” Twilight looked away. “It was a lot like how you're feeling. Like being abandoned.”

“Because she had to stay here, and you couldn't see your friend even when you were supposed to be studying friendship,” Trixie said, quietly.

“She asked me to write her letters every week about what I'd learned. At first, I thought it was just because she wanted progress reports, but I think I understand now. She sent me away for my own good, because she knew I needed more friends, but she was afraid to lose me. Those letters kept us connected as student and teacher, and as friends.”

“...Could Trixie send you letters?” Trixie asked, looking up. Twilight smiled at her.

“I'd love that.”

***

“You didn't do quite what I expected,” Celestia said, looking down at Sundowner. The stallion had mostly recovered, but his mane was still silver-gray, and would likely never return to its former shade, a permanent reminder of the duel. “Even so, I am a mare of my word. I hope you enjoy Hoofwai'i.”

“Celestia, I-” Sundowner croaked, his throat dry.

Celestia leaned down to whisper in his ear. “Don't come back.”

***

Dear Princess Twilight,

Today I learned something very important about friendship. I thought that becoming close to somepony meant you had to really be close to them, but now I understand that with somepony you really care about, you're never far from them. Even when you travel to a distant land, they're still by your side, because part of them lives in your heart. And sometimes, you don't know how much it matters to you until you think you're going to lose that special connection.

Yours,

Trixie Lulamoon, Future Princess Of Equestria

PS: Since you're already the princess of friendship, do you think they'll let me be the princess of magic?

PPS: Luna has informed me that friendship is magic so I cannot be the princess of magic. She also told me that humility was 'absolutely inappropriate', and I am not allowed to create a new celestial object to be the princess of, not even something small like a comet. Please forward any ideas you have for a title, because Trixie is out of ideas.

Author's Note

Celestia sure is acting strangely. But that probably doesn't mean anything, right?

Anyway, next I might write up a quick chapter on Twilight's research into alicorns and Rainbow Power. Or I might plow on with the plot. Who knows? It's a mystery to everybody! All we know for sure is, Trixie is probably going to get into even more trouble before this is over.