Boring. Six letters. Two syllables. Rolls off the tongue. A small perfectly formed word with enough consonants and vowels to remind him that despite the existence of tedious and lackluster there was never more fitting a declaration than boring. The night shift librarian in Canterlot had been sitting behind his maple desk for nearly eight months, tonight was just another notch in his calendar of missed opportunities that resulted in his easy way out.
‘It’ll build character Rollins, you love books Rollins take it this was made for you Rollins!’ he repeated morosely, the parting words of his unicorn service advisor still echoing after all these months. He picked his head off the desk and looked over the pile of heavy books sitting on it. It only took him six weeks to find and read about everything he cared for, and another three to lose interest in everything else.
“A twenty four hour library for a city with lazy scholars. What a load of horsefeathers,” he sulked, “It’s not like there’s night classes here or anything.” The monotony killed him, and there weren’t nearly as many botany books in the building as he’d hoped. Of course he was stuck in the least interesting section of the Canterlot archives. All the guards were busy protecting the Starswirl the Bearded wing. The single green balloon tied to the desk bounced limply off his cheek, a solitary reminder that he’d be out of this place tomorrow and hopefully back into the fields where he belonged. That wasn’t the only thing on his mind though, because she would be back tonight.
Oh Tracey where the hay were you when I first got here he thought idly tugging at the keyring around his neck. The past few nights he had been getting visits from a beautiful blue mare that was ‘just looking for the right book’. She wasn’t afraid to hide those deep violet eyes behind her wavy silver mane either, not that she was trying. With all the unusually timed visits it had finally clicked with him that she probably wasn’t here for late night literature at all.
He fervently flipped through the copy of Gentlecolts Guide to Romance he’d pulled off the shelf at the start of his shift, but was slowly becoming aware of the age of the text. “What the heck is a fetlock anyhow…”
“Rollins?”
He jerked his head up from the book, popping the green balloon in the process.
“T-Tracy! Didn’t hear you come in!”
The blue unicorn was giggling as he shook the rubber bits off his face. Way to go dummy, last chance here and you’re already blowing it
“You’re so funny sometimes you know that Rolly,” Tracy said as she walked past him to the upper level stairs. He got a whiff of faint rosemary. Wonderful herb, blooms in the north during the summer.
“Unintentionally, hehe, I uh,” he cleared his throat. “So…figure out what you’ve been looking for in the library yet?”
“A few nights ago, but tonight’s my last chance to get hold of what I really want…” she said in a sultry voice.
If this isn’t a hint then I don’t know what is.
“I could help you find it for you, I’ll be able to find it,” he offered eagerly trotting over to the spiral staircase. “Would you like my help?”
“I need your help Rolly, I’ve been aching for this moment for days. I’m such a nervous little filly though, do you have anywhere in this library that’s…perfectly discreet?”
Rollins was watching her silver tail bouncing back and forth climbing upstairs, catching the moonlight with every step. “Discreet? Well there’s uh, there’s this one small part of the library here that’s off-limits becau-”
Tracy turned around at the top of the stairs, her face so close they were nearly touching. He was immediately lost in those purple eyes. “That, sounds perfect,” she purred, her warm breath tickling his cheek.
This is so amazing I can’t believe it this is so amazing I can’t believe it
He fumbled with the keyring around his neck, shaking with excitement standing in front of the dark grey door. He didn’t think in a million years that he would ever get lucky with a beautiful stranger in such a lame job position. The most private room in the library kept the banned texts, the black magic and books of the dark arts. Not like anyone ever entered the stupid place he thought as he pushed the door open.
All the books in the cramped room were clad in black leather and glowing with a dull sheen as the moonlight hit their covers. Dust erupted from the carpet with every hoofstep.
“So Tracy…most boring room in the library don’t you think?”
“Exciting would be the more appropriate choice of words,” she replied with a gleam in her eyes. She inched closer to him. “Unless you have a better one banging around in that head of yours.”
“Like astounding or fantastic or wonderful or-” Rollins went wide-eyed as she leaned forwards and pressed her lips to his.
He promptly shut them as they shared the kiss This is so incredible, who needs books for this stuff anyway he thought as they made out in the dim space, his thoughts getting lost in the moment, like a flock of birds fluttering through willow trees.
Birds? He was hearing a soft flapping noise in the otherwise silent room, Why do I hear…
He opened his eyes to seeing that she had hers open too, pupils wildly darting back and forth as she looked over his shoulder.
Whoa hold on a minute he broke the kiss and swiveled his head. One of the banned texts was floating beside him, pages wide open.
“Tracey! What are-!? You aren’t allowed to read that!” he exclaimed knocking the book out of the air.
“I just did,” she said triumphantly, horn beginning to glow.
“That’s not- You aren’t-! Y-You! WHO ARE YOU?!”
The blue unicorn swiftly leaned forward and tapped her horn against his own, sending a crushing wave of pain through his skull. A million hammers pounded his head as his legs buckled and gave way beneath him, hitting the thin carpet with a heavy thud.
Blackness crept into his vision as the intense pain throbbed throughout his cranium. Two vivid violet orbs danced before him as he slipped away into fields of lilac and lavender, absently pondering the poor situation he’d been swallowed up into. As he faded away the sweet voice whispered in his ear once more.
“I am the Great and Powerful Trixie”
It was still dark out on the road to Ponyville and a heavy mist permeated the night, bringing Trixies progress to a plodding trot. Not only three hours ago had she flawlessly pulled off the first step in her quest for revenge. The unicorn in the library was, luckily for her, lonely enough that pushing him where she wanted to go was easily done with her good looks.
Even if that’s all I have left at this point she thought flicking her silver hair out of her eyes. Having lost everything she had two months ago in that backwater town had ruined her life. Gone were her books, her garb, her home and her reputation in one fell swoop. A good performer was all she strived to be and raising herself above challengers and hecklers was routine for her. When that horrible Ursa showed up she tried and failed to stop the bear which instantly cracked her reputation, and when that other unicorn, that Twilight Sparkle, stepped in and stopped it so easily the final nail in the coffin was struck and she fled.
“It’s not fair!” she muttered trotting past the bend “I know I could have stopped it, I had the right spell in my book I know I did. Now you will pay for it.”
Trixie puffed out her chest, raising her confidence. She had steeled herself to be strong in her profession over the years and her hasty retreat from that failure still stuck her mind. With the powerful new spell she had gained from Canterlots library she would redeem her cowardice in spades and rise again. The librarian had been a fine test subject even if she had only managed to partially cast the spell when he knocked the book away. Old magic like that was strong enough to work even half-way, but required physical contact to work.
“AGH!” she tripped over an upturned tree root on the misty trail and planted face first into soft wet mud Wonderful, just wonderful Trixie, you really know how to keep your eyes open.
Trixie lay there for a bit, miserably knowing that she would have no proper way to clean up when she pulled herself out of the mud. If only I still had my Magic of Grooming book…
“Um, are you okay down there?”
Trixie glanced upwards, seeing a yellow Pegasus hovering above with a wagon strapped to her back. What are you doing out here so late?
“No. I am not okay. I haven’t been okay in weeks,” she huffed, shifting in the mud.
“Would you like some help then?” offered the yellow mare, quietly drifting down to the foggy road “That looks, um, pretty uncomfortable.”
Trixie glanced left and right noting that she was out here alone on a very murky night, and this Pegasus was alone with her. She smiled to herself Perhaps I can see what this spell can really do.
“Please help! I think I may have hurt myself when I fell,” she whined pitifully and twitching her leg, such theatrics coming natural to her.
“You poor poor thing you, don’t worry I’m here to help,” with a careful touch she moved her leg out of the mud and moved it in a more comfortable angle.
“It huuuuurts!” she whined. Will this spell even work on something other than unicorns? “I think there’s blood on my face!” she lied, hoping to get closer. In an instant the helpful stranger had jumped to her front, peering at her with big teal eyes.
“I just wish I had bandages for you. I have a little medicine cabinet back home for my animal friends too, they get into trouble sometimes as well,” whispered the mare as she put a hoof to Trixies forehead.
Too far away, I need you closer
“I didn’t quite get that, come again?”
The mare leaned closer. “Um, I was talking about medic-”
“I must have mud in my ears, once more please.”
She leaned even closer still. “I have medicine back at my cott-”
Barely two inches were between them now; Trixie recited the incantation in her mind and deftly poked the mare in the brow.
“OW! OW OW AAAH! AAAAAAAAAAH! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”
Trixie pulled herself away from the mud as the screaming Pegasus crumpled to the soft earth. Brilliant streams of yellow-pink light erupted from the mare’s forehead, crackling and hissing through the air as it flowed to Trixies horn. Her face was contorted in a painful grimace and the spell abruptly ended with a pop and the light faded away.
“It worked!” she exclaimed victoriously jumping in the air.
Trixie inspected the trembling do-gooder on the ground. Her once vivid mane and coat had dulled gray and her wings had shriveled to her side, a fraction of the size they were moments ago. Nudging her shrunken form only yielded pained squeaking.
“So Pegasus ponies like you are affected, this spell is stronger than I thought,” she said absently rubbing her sides. They were suddenly itchy. Probably a side effect of an old spell she thought Now what am I going to do with you?
Trixie held that thought for a moment, she had simply left the librarian where he dropped in that library, slipping a specially ground herb in his mouth before leaving to blot out all memory of the event. She only had that because he brought it up on one of his boring rants about magical plants one night and found the sparse ingredients growing around the edge of the city.
Should have read looked up another spell in that library before leaving she thought dragging the crumpled Pegasus to the side of the trail. Her small frame made her disappear beneath the fog, but that wouldn’t last forever with morning right around the corner. Trixie winced; the biting pain at her sides was growing stronger. Maybe she should rest somewhere...
“THAT is a wonderful trick!”
Trixie eeped and jumped in the air, spinning her head wildly. Someone had seen her!
“Of course second time’s the charm, though not quite as entertaining as your first attempt. The way you threw yourself at him...”
She funneled light through her horn, desperately peering through the murkiness as her heart raced in fear at the unseen spectator. I’ve been followed. I’m being watched.
“W-Who’s there!? SHOW YOURSELF!” she demanded spinning around wildly.
“As you wish sweetie.”
She stopped in her tracks. The fog around her hooves displaced itself and she knew that the witness was right behind her. Gulping, she turned around and faced her shadow.
Princess Luna stood before her in the misty trail.
“Your majesty!” she cried throwing herself to the ground in a frantic bow. She’s seen everything. My entire plan, over before its start.
“Oh get up, stop your bowing,” spoke the Princess with irritation in her voice “Nopony bows to me, just my sister.”
Trixie obeyed immediately and righted herself. She was shaking in her horseshoes. I probably look like a disgusting wreck she thought eyeing Lunas dark features and perfect mane.
“Princess Luna it’s…it’s quite a shock for me to, to see you out here of all places,” stammered Trixie.
“You are shocked? I’m shocked at what you’ve been up to tonight. Entering the forbidden rooms of Canterlots library, learning a banned spell and using it on not one but TWO ponies? Do you want my opinion on the matter?”
You’re in for it now Trixie. She knows everything. I’m doomed to the dungeons…or worse Trixie stood firm at the revealing of her misdeeds, but felt the color draining from her face as horrible punishments filled her mind.
“I like that. You’re bold Trixie.”
“W-what?” she squeaked in response.
“Not many ponies have the drive or clarity of vision to do what you’re doing, but why are you doing these things?” inquired Luna as she stepped closer to her, aquamarine eyes scanning her features.
“I-It’s a personal vendetta. This unicorn, Twilight Sparkle, who ruined my life a few months ago. I need to get back at her,” her voice was starting to crack/ “If I don’t I won’t…be able to live with myself. I’m scraping by as is.”
Luna circled Trixie, eyes glinting in the moonlight. “So you’re grand plan is to walk right up to her and defeat her with your new magic trick is that it sweetie?”
She gave a very diminutive nod of her head.
“That’s not going to work, Twilight is quite smart and excels in magic ability. You don’t stand a chance against her.”
Trixie sighed and hung her head. Lunas words defeating her bravado at last.
“So I’m going to assist you.”
That sentence hit her like a ton of bricks “You’re going to…help me?”
Luna smiled and hopped over to her, with a quick flick of her horn she magically cleaned Trixie of the mud and grime that covered her “Yes, I shall. I’ll tell you now that it’s the same purple filly that interfered with my plans of revenge last year. Her and that group of friends she associates with. If you did try to carry out your little plan you would surely be foiled by them but with me directing you, it should work out flawlessly,”
“Help me…” repeated Trixie in a daze. She sat herself down on the ground. Was all this really happening? Was she dreaming? The throbbing pain at her sides told her no. This is unbelievable. What do I say to her? If she can help me could I finally live up to my family name?
“Trixie, what is the thing you want most in the world? Atop your score you wish to settle of course,” prodded Luna who sat herself down next to her.
Her childhood dreams instantly flooded back to her. Grand stages and roaring crowds applauding her fantastic light shows and magical acts. Visions of beautiful rose bouquets thrown to her and autographs of herself garbed in her mothers robe. Acclaimed performances all over the planet. Her name in lights. The harsh reality around her conflicted too much with her broken fantasies.
“I…I want to be a star,” she sniffled “It’s my dream. It’s all I’ve ever wanted. I…I was working so hard for it and now my name’s in the mud. It’s all gone.”
Luna stroked her mane affectionately “There there girl, you know I’ve been looking for someone like you. Someone with real spunk. Would you like to be my partner?”
Trixie whimpered, under the soothing words of the Princess she began to feel calm once again. “I…I think I could. What…what can you do to help me?”
Luna stood back up and righted Trixie next to her “It’s your revenge; I won’t spoil it for you. I shall help you in the background, in the night. You have your wits Trixie, you have the tools, just you keep your head and you can get Twilight and her friends in a few days time.”
Trixie wiped away tears at the edges of her eyes “Days? Won’t they catch on? If I’m in Ponyville won’t they recognize me? I don’t exactly blend with the crowd.”
“They won’t second guess a Pegasus pony.”
“Luna I don’t understa- WUH?!”
Trixie shouted in genuine surprise. At her sides were a pair of feathery blue wings, they automatically started beating as she jumped back in shock. Unable to control them she slammed backwards into a nearby tree.
Lune glided gracefully over to the bewildered unicorn “First flight is rough for everypony I know.”
Trixie shakily stood back up. “How? Did you do this to me?” she grabbed at a wing with her mouth. The skin registered with her teeth as she gave it a tug, feeling the new sensations near her shoulders. It was surreal.
“You did Trixie, when you cast your spell and absorbed Pegasus magic. That magic now resides within you, it’s apart of you now so naturally, or unnaturally, it grew the wings you now have for yourself.”
She felt her wings folding to her sides automatically. Trixie tried not to think about them. That was something to figure out later.
“What now then Luna?” she asked apprehensively, looking up at the regal princess.
Luna deftly apparated a small black bowler hat and silver cape. “If you’re still unsure about going into town, and I can tell you are, here’s something else for you. It’ll conceal your horn and your cutie mark there. As for now it’s almost dawn and I must lower the moon in tune with my sister. Go have breakfast, enjoy your new wings and pick a target for tomorrow night.”
A small squeal broke the conversation. Trixie had nearly forgotten about her victim with all the strange events happening.
“What about her?” she asked motioning to her still form.
Luna trotted over to the yellow mare and stood over her. “Nothing for you to worry about Trixie, it’s something I’ll take care of for you.”
Trixie glanced nervously at the small pony in the ground as she tied her cape around her neck and put on the hat. “Well, okay Luna. I’m heading into town. I suppose I should thank you for…all your help.”
“You’re welcome sweetie, and if you need help just look up. I keep one eye open,” she closed her right eye and pointed a wing skyward. Trixie stared at the moon above watching it tinge green for a moment, winking at her.
Watching me the whole time she thought uneasily trotting back down the path. The fog was letting up and Trixie was finally able to pick up her pace. She turned and waved to Luna as she gradually fell out of sight.
***
Luna looked down at the Pegasus, who fearfully looked up at her. “Now now now, just how am I going to dispose of pathetic little you?” she said icily, “Would you like to see what the bottom of a bog looks like? Or perhaps a chasm would suit your fancy?”
The small pony beneath her whimpered feebly as Luna drew her hoof across the black spot on her forehead, where she watched her inner magic drain into the showy blue unicorn.
Leaves in the trees began to rustle. An aura of power drew itself around Lunas form. The green light nearly blinded Fluttershy, who whimpered feebly beneath her. Lunas limbs stretched and grew, elongating as the pulsing light drew over her body. Deep blue wing feathers gave way to a thinner, clear pair of insectoid wings. The wind ceased howling and the green slitted eyes peered out hungrily behind stringy blue hair. Queen Chrysilus stood before Fluttershy.
"That little spiel cost me some time but its worth it I think," sneered the Leader of the Changelings. "My cute little minion is all for revenge. One she's done me the job of absorbing the elements from the rest of your pesky little friends I will be all set to absorb her into my structure. With the combined love of your friendship including the elements of harmony then not even Celestia could stand in my way this time. Now...let's go on a trip little one." Chrysalus flashed her fangs at Fluttershy. She laughed at the feeble meeping of the Pegasus. "You should worry. I do bite."
The dark Queen raised her head, casting herself and the Pegasus in blue light. With a crack they both disappeared, leaving a swirling cloud of mist.
