Lulamoonby Crystal TearChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 1In the Everfree Forest during the heavy rains of April, a blue unicorn with a ragged, muddy silver mane crouched by a small pond. She was soaked to the bone, but didn't seem to care. The unicorn was focused on her reflection, which rippled and splashed from the raindrops that broke its surface. The unicorn saw a broken, jagged picture of herself: The Great and Powerful Beatrix Lulamoon. No longer, Trixie thought to herself. Trixie had marched into Ponyville twice and boasted of her abilities, and both visits had caused utter mayhem. The first time, she had been unable to defeat an Ursa Minor that had rampaged through the town and Twilight Sparkle had to banish it back to the Everfree Forest. The second time, Trixie was in possession of the Alicorn Amulet and had enough power to defeat even Twilight. But Twilight had tricked her, and Trixie was banished once again. Now, no town, city, or capital would accept her. Trixie closed her eyes and rested her head gently on the slippery mud in front of the pool. The rain had eased off, and it was growing dark. She had long since lost her starry hat, but rags of Trixie's cape still remained, and she pulled that around her for what little warmth she could find. Trixie didn't remember closing her eyes, but when she opened them, it was pitch black except for the reflection of the full moon in the pool. The unicorn stood up to stretch out her legs, but the mud was still slippery from the rainfall the day before, and Trixie fell in the pond. The water made a tremendous crash, and Trixie reached up frantically to grab hold of something, anything, to save her. No, she thought. Let me just die here, in the water. Her eyes were closing, and the breath left her lungs. Trixie was mere seconds from death, when a resounding yet incomprehensible voice boomed above the surface of the water. With a splash, Trixie found herself gasping for breath, up on the bank. Her brows wrinkled in confusion; it was a different place that the puddle she had fallen asleep by. And yet the moon was still reflected in the water. Trixie looked up at the real moon above her and saw the shadow of a unicorn's head with glowing eyes. "Beatrix Lulamoon." A dark blue alicorn with a flowing, starry mane appeared wearing a black crown that confirmed Trixie's worst fears: the Princess of the Night had found her. It wasn't just the towns and ponies Trixie had wanted to avoid: she was terrified the Princesses would punish her for her wrongdoings. And now they had finally caught up with her. Trixie nervously stood up and bowed her head. Princess Luna spoke again. "What is it that rests on your heart, Beatrix? You have had very unsettling dreams of late." When Trixie dared to look up, she was mortified to find that Princess Luna had a concerned look on her face. Trixie coughed lightly and spoke, her clear voice betraying none of the snobbishness it once had: "You know what I have done?" "Yes, Beatrix." "So you're here to take me back to Canterlot, to arrest me." Princess Luna looked confused for a second. "No, nothing of the sort. I have been concerned about you. Not many ponies have dreams quite like yours." "You're...not going to arrest me?" "No. You see, Beatrix, you have made quite a reputation for yourself, and it is not necessarily favorable. However, I can see potential in you. There are few unicorns who have a special talent for magic, and most truly are great and powerful. I believe if you are taught how to use magic to control more than flashes of light, you will become a very powerful unicorn. I see you becoming as magical as Twilight Sparkle, or Sunset Shimmer." "P-Princess...you cannot seriously mean..." "Yes, Beatrix Lulamoon. I want to make you my own personal protege in the arts of magic." Princess Luna tilted her head calmly, awaiting Trixie's response. Trixie was speechless. That the second most powerful pony in all of Equestria, and one of the most well known, would want her, a disgraced, weak unicorn, to become her protege? Surely this was just another taunting dream. It couldn't be real. But then again, couldn't it? Trixie raised her head to make eye contact with the Princess of the Night for the first time. "Princess Luna," Trixie said, with more strength in her voice, "I accept." Princess Luna looked pleased. "When you awaken, it will be just before the crack of dawn. I will then find you and take you to Canterlot." Her horn glowed blue, and Trixie's eyes drooped once again. She could feel her body slumping to the ground, and in less than a minute, she was asleep once again. Chapter 2When Trixie opened her eyes, Princess Luna was standing in front of her, just as promised. The Princess was watching the moon set and then turned to the east and watched the first rays of dawn. "Come," she murmured. "We must hurry. I have to lower the moon on my balcony in Canterlot. Immediately." Trixie blinked. "But Canterlot is more than a day by train! We'll never make it in time!" "I can use a teleportation spell on the two of us to get us back to my balcony. We have to hurry," Princess Luna repeated. Without warning, her horn began to glow. Trixie yelped as the tendrils of magic curled around her and lifted her into the air to levitate beside the already flying Princess. "Relax," advised Luna. Trixie did as she was told and relaxed the muscles in her legs, then body, then neck. Princess Luna cast the teleportation spell, and Trixie experienced a feeling like being sucked forward, ripped apart, and smashed back together in a matter of seconds. She felt nauseous, and suddenly she was on an ornate balcony overlooking all of Canterlot. For a second, Trixie forgot about Princess Luna standing behind her as she took in the beauty of Canterlot waking up to a new morning. She was so lost, Princess Luna had to clear her throat several times to snap out of it. "Oh, I am so sorry, Princess. Something came over me." Luna smiled gently. "No need, Beatrix. Many have been captivated by the beauty of sunrise." The pair exited the balcony and walked through a corridor in the castle, going from tower to tower until they finally reached the Princesses' living areas. Princess Luna's quarters were small and dark, resting on the top floor of the whole castle. Princess Celestia's was generally bigger and brighter, and occupied the next highest. Luna led Trixie through the den to the fireplace on the back wall, filled with glowing blue embers, occasionally flickering orange. "I had this prepared especially for you," remarked Princess Luna. "The fireplace?" Trixie was skeptical. Then she noticed a hollow directly over the center of the black marble mantelpiece. "Insert your horn into that hollow, and you will find your way to your quarters." Princess Luna winked, and continued: "You are free to settle in for all of today and tonight. Your lessons begin tomorrow. Is that too soon?" "Tomorrow is perfect," chuckled Trixie. "I've had enough traveling for a lifetime." "It is settled, then. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some royal duties to attend to. I shall also inform my sister of your arrival." Luna paused. "I know you two will get along very well. Until tomorrow, then!" Trixie turned around and poked her horn into the hollow. It took a few seconds, but the hollow soon glowed warmly with purple magic the color of Trixie's own eyes, and it expanded into a door with a hoofprint in the middle. Trixie tentatively placed her hoof on the print, and the door swung open, revealing no trace of the embers behind it. When Trixie stepped through, the door swung shut and she could see the horn hollow above the door frame. Smiling at nothing in particular, Trixie trotted down the short corridor to another door with another hoofprint. Without hesitation this time, she placed her hoof on the door, which promptly opened. Trixie gasped at what she saw. A small, warm fire flickered in a welcoming fashion in a silvery stone fireplace with a picture frame featuring a moonlit river. A chaise lounge, a couch, and a comfortable chair were positioned around the fire. A room to the right featured kitchen with a refrigerator, small stove and oven, microwave, and a pantry stocked with snacks. To the left of the den was the bedroom. The bedroom was by far the best part of Trixie's quarters, in her opinion. The wall to the left was lined with bookshelves, and the wall to the right had a desk with writing materials. The wall opposite the door was where Trixie slept: a four-poster, lush, dark blue, and otherwise perfect, bed. There was a small bathroom connected to Trixie's bedroom which had a toilet, shower, and sink with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Sighing, Trixie eased herself into the shower. She turned the knob and pushed it so she was soon engulfed in steam and hot streams of water. It had been so long since Trixie had taken a real, actual shower. She shampooed her mane and body, and rinsed the soap out. Then Trixie brushed out her silver mane until it was once again in perfect condition and she stared at herself in the mirror for a long time. She saw the face of the perfect, pristine, Great and Powerful Trixie. She hated that face with a burning passion. Trixie just didn't want to go by that face anymore. And her name was known in practically every city and town, especially Ponyville. Upon hearing the name "Trixie," most ponies would roll their eyes sarcastically or make a snide joke. And seeing the actual pony? When Trixie dared to approach any other populated town, she was pelted with rotten apples or moldy carrots. What stung more than the fruits and vegetables, though, were the words hurled at her. Fake! Fraud! Get out of our town, Great and Powerful TRIXIE!!! After many episodes of this, her pride was left as nothing more than a twig that had been repeatedly scorched and burned and hacked at until Trixie had been forced to take refuge in the Everfree Forest. The only pony who ever took any notice of her at all was Zecora, but even that relationship had its limits. Nopony, it seemed, was willing to forgive her. Trixie walked back to Princess Luna's quarters and looked out the window overlooking the ponies going about their daily lives. It's okay, Trixie thought cynically. I wouldn't forgive me either. Chapter 3A blue unicorn mare with a curly silver mane stood beside a dark blue earth pony stallion with the slate mane, both watching their daughter eagerly. A unicorn filly with a moon and wand on her flank used her rosy magic to levitate and manipulate a small blue gem: throwing it up in the air and catching it with magic, twirling it around her head, and moving it in irregular patterns. She was smiling, and passed the exam with obvious ease. The two adult ponies embraced the younger filly, and they walked outside in the sunshine. The small, happy family went into a small shop and soon came out with two pieces of clothing: a purple hat and cape covered in stars. The mother affixed the cape to the little filly with the blue gem from the exam, and the father good-naturedly thumped the hat on her head... Trixie's eyes flew open and she sat up quickly, reminding herself she was in Canterlot Castle with Princess Luna, not in Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns with her parents...she shook her head to clear the memory. Trixie jumped out of bed and used her magic to straighten the covers and pillow. Satisfied with its appearance, Trixie trotted to the kitchen and gulped down a haybiscuit and some orange juice. Trotting out back to the mantel/door, Trixie composed herself and prepared mentally for a hard mental day. Trixie poked her horn into the mantelpiece hole and the magical door opened. She walked out of the fireplace and immediately encountered Princess Luna and Princess Celestia, both levitating cups of hot coffee they were sipping. Celestia's warm and genial smile eased Trixie ever so slightly. Maybe she wasn't such a bad pony after all. "Hello, Beatrix. It's so nice to meet you." Celestia's voice was as calming as her smile. "Good morning, Princess Celestia. It is an honor to meet you as well." "From what my sister has told me, you are planning to learn more about magic? Well, I wish you the best of luck. Good day!" "Good day, sister," intoned Luna seriously. The Princess turned to me. "I shall tutor you at my sister's School for Gifted Unicorns. I assume you are familiar with the place?" Trixie gave the slightest of nods. "Good. Now, do you remember the teleportation spell I used to bring us to Canterlot?" "Yes." "Do you feel you can replicate it?" "I...I think so." "Try." Princess Luna stepped back to allow Trixie some room and concentration. Trixie focused on the feeling of separation she had felt, and channeled that and a picture of Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns into her magic. However, her magic sparked and burned out. "I...I guess I can't. I'm sorry, Princess." The Princess of the Night didn't look too concerned. Instead, she just closed her eyes and spoke: "I will begin the teleportation spell, but you have to try it again alongside me. You almost had it." Trixie tried again, this time with a bit more success. Princess Luna combined her magic with her protege's, and together the pair disappeared in a flash of blue and pink light, reappearing in front of Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. They silently walked inside. Up the stairs, through the noisy hallways, down to the very last classroom. Princess Luna opened the door, and Trixie walked inside. There were two simple desks, facing each other. One desk was slightly larger and held a binder and quill. The other was smaller and held a notebook and quill. Trixie sat at the smaller desk, and Princess Luna at the large desk. Luna touched her hooves together lightly and leaned back on her chair. "Let us begin." Trixie levitated the violet quill and opened to the first page of her notebook, emblazoned with her cutie mark. "Magic is like flexibility. You learn it from an experienced user, you use it again, and again, and again, and over time it becomes easier and you become stronger and more comfortable using magic. Most unicorns stop there. Other unicorns, who have special talents for magic, may go on learning advanced spells and magical theories. If you don't use your magic, or use it improperly, then your power will diminish." Trixie frantically scribbled notes in her notebook, not wanting to miss a word. "I'm going to asses you on the spells you know, and how well you can perform them. The first one is this..." Chapter 4Trixie sat in her bed, reviewing her notes from the day's work. Princess Luna had questioned her on every branch of magic Trixie knew about, and more. She had passed with flying colors on the telekinesis tests, and the tests involving light, but she had barely scraped by on everything else. They had stopped for a quick lunch break, the the Princess started on a completely new topic. She had discussed with Trixie what she wanted to be. In some ways, that was even harder than the magical tests. Trixie knew she didn't want to be the wandering traveler who put on fireworks displays and boasted. Nor did she want to stay locked up in an office all day doing paperwork and math. She needed to get out, to move around. Trixie didn't even want to be known as Trixie anymore. Beatrix seemed too stuffy and formal; the name Trixie was known by practically every citizen of Equestria. Princess Luna and Trixie had gone on for hours and hours just debating what Trixie could do. She obviously had a special talent for magic; yes, it needed to be groomed, but Trixie had potential. And when she hadn't been showing off or being rude or downright evil, Trixie was positively sweet. But how could they convince everypony in Equestria of the same thing? The session had ended with Princess Luna assigning homework: Trixie had to rewrite her notes, and she had to practice some of the spells she had some difficulty with. Trixie had practiced the spells, and was almost finished with her notes. As she scribbled the last sentence, Trixie levitated her notebook and quill onto the desk in her room. After a brief moment of consideration, Trixie walked back over to her desk. She had had a dream the last night. About her parents, when she passed the entrance exam to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, and how she got her hat, cape, and brooch, Her cape and brooch were in fact folded carefully in a small cupboard in the kitchen, but her hat was long gone. She may as well write to them. She hadn't seen them since she was discharged from school. Trixie dipped the sapphire feather in a bottle of black ink, and began to write: Dear Mom and Dad, It has been a long time since we've spoken to each other. I wanted to say I'm sorry. You were so disappointed in me when I was discharged from school, and you had a perfect right to. Afterwards, I took a job as a travelling showcase, but my boasting got me into trouble again. These last few months have been really hard for me, but Princess Luna took me in as her protege and I'm doing well. Trixie hesitated. The letter seemed incomplete to her. She added a little bit more. I love you. Hope I see you soon. Love, Trixie Trixie stopped short for a minute, wondering how she would send the letter. She looked out the window. The streets were dark and empty, but Trixie occasionally spotted a guard. There was a mailbox on the side of one street about a hundred yards from the castle. Perfect. Trixie quickly addressed and folded the letter, and she crept out of Princess Luna's quarters and down the stars. The front door was locked, but Trixie knew she could teleport past it. Hopefully. She focused her magic on the shattering sensation, and visualized a picture of the mailbox. With a purple flash, Trixie found herself right beside said mailbox. Allowing herself a small smile at her achievement, Trixie slipped the letter into the mailbox and completed the teleportation spell once again, this time grinning in utter delight. Well, maybe I'm not such a failure after all. Chapter 5Trixie glared at the blue gem she was supposed to be manipulating. Princess Luna sat back calmly and watched her student as Trixie struggled to enlarge the gem. After a brief moment of success, she managed to double its size, but then, with a faint pop, the unrelenting gem shrank once again. Trixie glared at it some more. Princess Luna lifted her head slightly. "Beatrix, you are doing well. All you need to do is focus your concentration for just a few seconds more. You almost have it." Trixie took a few deep breaths. She picked up, and slowly began to rotate the sapphire with her magic. With every rotation, it grew bigger and bigger until it was the size of Trixie's head. Straining with the effort, Trixie managed to complete the spell, and the newly enlarged gem clattered onto the table. Princess Luna gave a nod of approval. "Excellent work, Beatrix. Now try to--" At that moment, the door banged open and Princesses Celestia and Twilight walked in. Trixie bowed to each of them in turn, then faced Princess Luna. Princess Celestia spoke: "Sister, Princess Twilight Sparkle and myself wanted to witness Beatrix's training. Is that all right with you and your student?" Trixie barely gave a nod. She didn't even want to look at Twilight; though she had been forgiven, Trixie still retained a lasting feeling of guilt towards the purple alicorn. Twilight Sparkle cleared her throat. "Can we get on with it, please?" Trixie hastily backed up and prepared to work her shrinking spell. She glared at the large gem, willing it to obey her. Trixie focused her magic and, using every ounce of concentration she possessed, cast the spell. A lilac beam hit the gem, and Trixie lifted it up, again twirling it slowly, willing it to shrink every time it turned around, until it was finally normally sized. Princess Twilight gave an approving nod, and Princess Luna smiled proudly. "Very well done, Beatrix. Now, change the color to scarlet." Trixie took a breath and lifted up her head. She was soaked in sweat but proud of her success. She lifted up the gem and proceeded to twirl it gently. With every twirl, the color melted to dark blue, which gave way to purple, which faded to red. With a gasp, Trixie dropped the sapphire-ruby on the desk. It glowed slightly, and Twilight Sparkle examined it. Princess Luna levitated her blue quill and wrote down 'enlarge/shrink' and 'change color.' Twilight straightened up and spoke: "Trixie, I would say that you have a basic level of magic skill, but you are very clever and you have the knack for finding intuitive ways to bend that magic into spells that would normally exceed a unicorn of your ability. I can also say that--" Twilight broke off for a second. She cleared her throat and began again: "--that you have indeed changed from the mare I once knew to a humble, modest, good pony." Princess Celestia agreed. "We all have seen what you have done, Beatrix, but we have forgiven you, and you are using your second chance wisely. Unfortunately, many other ponies in Equestria do not feel the same way. We, along with my sister, will help you find a way to blend back into their midst." "But...everypony already knows the name 'Trixie' and they hate me. How can I get close enough to convince them I'm not the same?" Trixie asked. "Call yourself another," suggested Princess Luna. "Call yourself what you think is a name that fits you, yet one that other ponies do not know you by." Trixie considered this. "Nopony knows me as just Beatrix Lulamoon; they know me as the Great and Powerful Trixie. I don't want to be known as Beatrix...I could just go as Lulamoon." "You most certainly could," said Princess Celestia softly. "Then," Trixie said, "I shall call myself 'Lulamoon' until ponies come to know and love me. Only then will I revert to Trixie." Trixie Lulamoon. Chapter 6
Chapter 1In the Everfree Forest during the heavy rains of April, a blue unicorn with a ragged, muddy silver mane crouched by a small pond. She was soaked to the bone, but didn't seem to care. The unicorn was focused on her reflection, which rippled and splashed from the raindrops that broke its surface. The unicorn saw a broken, jagged picture of herself: The Great and Powerful Beatrix Lulamoon. No longer, Trixie thought to herself. Trixie had marched into Ponyville twice and boasted of her abilities, and both visits had caused utter mayhem. The first time, she had been unable to defeat an Ursa Minor that had rampaged through the town and Twilight Sparkle had to banish it back to the Everfree Forest. The second time, Trixie was in possession of the Alicorn Amulet and had enough power to defeat even Twilight. But Twilight had tricked her, and Trixie was banished once again. Now, no town, city, or capital would accept her. Trixie closed her eyes and rested her head gently on the slippery mud in front of the pool. The rain had eased off, and it was growing dark. She had long since lost her starry hat, but rags of Trixie's cape still remained, and she pulled that around her for what little warmth she could find. Trixie didn't remember closing her eyes, but when she opened them, it was pitch black except for the reflection of the full moon in the pool. The unicorn stood up to stretch out her legs, but the mud was still slippery from the rainfall the day before, and Trixie fell in the pond. The water made a tremendous crash, and Trixie reached up frantically to grab hold of something, anything, to save her. No, she thought. Let me just die here, in the water. Her eyes were closing, and the breath left her lungs. Trixie was mere seconds from death, when a resounding yet incomprehensible voice boomed above the surface of the water. With a splash, Trixie found herself gasping for breath, up on the bank. Her brows wrinkled in confusion; it was a different place that the puddle she had fallen asleep by. And yet the moon was still reflected in the water. Trixie looked up at the real moon above her and saw the shadow of a unicorn's head with glowing eyes. "Beatrix Lulamoon." A dark blue alicorn with a flowing, starry mane appeared wearing a black crown that confirmed Trixie's worst fears: the Princess of the Night had found her. It wasn't just the towns and ponies Trixie had wanted to avoid: she was terrified the Princesses would punish her for her wrongdoings. And now they had finally caught up with her. Trixie nervously stood up and bowed her head. Princess Luna spoke again. "What is it that rests on your heart, Beatrix? You have had very unsettling dreams of late." When Trixie dared to look up, she was mortified to find that Princess Luna had a concerned look on her face. Trixie coughed lightly and spoke, her clear voice betraying none of the snobbishness it once had: "You know what I have done?" "Yes, Beatrix." "So you're here to take me back to Canterlot, to arrest me." Princess Luna looked confused for a second. "No, nothing of the sort. I have been concerned about you. Not many ponies have dreams quite like yours." "You're...not going to arrest me?" "No. You see, Beatrix, you have made quite a reputation for yourself, and it is not necessarily favorable. However, I can see potential in you. There are few unicorns who have a special talent for magic, and most truly are great and powerful. I believe if you are taught how to use magic to control more than flashes of light, you will become a very powerful unicorn. I see you becoming as magical as Twilight Sparkle, or Sunset Shimmer." "P-Princess...you cannot seriously mean..." "Yes, Beatrix Lulamoon. I want to make you my own personal protege in the arts of magic." Princess Luna tilted her head calmly, awaiting Trixie's response. Trixie was speechless. That the second most powerful pony in all of Equestria, and one of the most well known, would want her, a disgraced, weak unicorn, to become her protege? Surely this was just another taunting dream. It couldn't be real. But then again, couldn't it? Trixie raised her head to make eye contact with the Princess of the Night for the first time. "Princess Luna," Trixie said, with more strength in her voice, "I accept." Princess Luna looked pleased. "When you awaken, it will be just before the crack of dawn. I will then find you and take you to Canterlot." Her horn glowed blue, and Trixie's eyes drooped once again. She could feel her body slumping to the ground, and in less than a minute, she was asleep once again.
Chapter 2When Trixie opened her eyes, Princess Luna was standing in front of her, just as promised. The Princess was watching the moon set and then turned to the east and watched the first rays of dawn. "Come," she murmured. "We must hurry. I have to lower the moon on my balcony in Canterlot. Immediately." Trixie blinked. "But Canterlot is more than a day by train! We'll never make it in time!" "I can use a teleportation spell on the two of us to get us back to my balcony. We have to hurry," Princess Luna repeated. Without warning, her horn began to glow. Trixie yelped as the tendrils of magic curled around her and lifted her into the air to levitate beside the already flying Princess. "Relax," advised Luna. Trixie did as she was told and relaxed the muscles in her legs, then body, then neck. Princess Luna cast the teleportation spell, and Trixie experienced a feeling like being sucked forward, ripped apart, and smashed back together in a matter of seconds. She felt nauseous, and suddenly she was on an ornate balcony overlooking all of Canterlot. For a second, Trixie forgot about Princess Luna standing behind her as she took in the beauty of Canterlot waking up to a new morning. She was so lost, Princess Luna had to clear her throat several times to snap out of it. "Oh, I am so sorry, Princess. Something came over me." Luna smiled gently. "No need, Beatrix. Many have been captivated by the beauty of sunrise." The pair exited the balcony and walked through a corridor in the castle, going from tower to tower until they finally reached the Princesses' living areas. Princess Luna's quarters were small and dark, resting on the top floor of the whole castle. Princess Celestia's was generally bigger and brighter, and occupied the next highest. Luna led Trixie through the den to the fireplace on the back wall, filled with glowing blue embers, occasionally flickering orange. "I had this prepared especially for you," remarked Princess Luna. "The fireplace?" Trixie was skeptical. Then she noticed a hollow directly over the center of the black marble mantelpiece. "Insert your horn into that hollow, and you will find your way to your quarters." Princess Luna winked, and continued: "You are free to settle in for all of today and tonight. Your lessons begin tomorrow. Is that too soon?" "Tomorrow is perfect," chuckled Trixie. "I've had enough traveling for a lifetime." "It is settled, then. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some royal duties to attend to. I shall also inform my sister of your arrival." Luna paused. "I know you two will get along very well. Until tomorrow, then!" Trixie turned around and poked her horn into the hollow. It took a few seconds, but the hollow soon glowed warmly with purple magic the color of Trixie's own eyes, and it expanded into a door with a hoofprint in the middle. Trixie tentatively placed her hoof on the print, and the door swung open, revealing no trace of the embers behind it. When Trixie stepped through, the door swung shut and she could see the horn hollow above the door frame. Smiling at nothing in particular, Trixie trotted down the short corridor to another door with another hoofprint. Without hesitation this time, she placed her hoof on the door, which promptly opened. Trixie gasped at what she saw. A small, warm fire flickered in a welcoming fashion in a silvery stone fireplace with a picture frame featuring a moonlit river. A chaise lounge, a couch, and a comfortable chair were positioned around the fire. A room to the right featured kitchen with a refrigerator, small stove and oven, microwave, and a pantry stocked with snacks. To the left of the den was the bedroom. The bedroom was by far the best part of Trixie's quarters, in her opinion. The wall to the left was lined with bookshelves, and the wall to the right had a desk with writing materials. The wall opposite the door was where Trixie slept: a four-poster, lush, dark blue, and otherwise perfect, bed. There was a small bathroom connected to Trixie's bedroom which had a toilet, shower, and sink with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Sighing, Trixie eased herself into the shower. She turned the knob and pushed it so she was soon engulfed in steam and hot streams of water. It had been so long since Trixie had taken a real, actual shower. She shampooed her mane and body, and rinsed the soap out. Then Trixie brushed out her silver mane until it was once again in perfect condition and she stared at herself in the mirror for a long time. She saw the face of the perfect, pristine, Great and Powerful Trixie. She hated that face with a burning passion. Trixie just didn't want to go by that face anymore. And her name was known in practically every city and town, especially Ponyville. Upon hearing the name "Trixie," most ponies would roll their eyes sarcastically or make a snide joke. And seeing the actual pony? When Trixie dared to approach any other populated town, she was pelted with rotten apples or moldy carrots. What stung more than the fruits and vegetables, though, were the words hurled at her. Fake! Fraud! Get out of our town, Great and Powerful TRIXIE!!! After many episodes of this, her pride was left as nothing more than a twig that had been repeatedly scorched and burned and hacked at until Trixie had been forced to take refuge in the Everfree Forest. The only pony who ever took any notice of her at all was Zecora, but even that relationship had its limits. Nopony, it seemed, was willing to forgive her. Trixie walked back to Princess Luna's quarters and looked out the window overlooking the ponies going about their daily lives. It's okay, Trixie thought cynically. I wouldn't forgive me either.
Chapter 3A blue unicorn mare with a curly silver mane stood beside a dark blue earth pony stallion with the slate mane, both watching their daughter eagerly. A unicorn filly with a moon and wand on her flank used her rosy magic to levitate and manipulate a small blue gem: throwing it up in the air and catching it with magic, twirling it around her head, and moving it in irregular patterns. She was smiling, and passed the exam with obvious ease. The two adult ponies embraced the younger filly, and they walked outside in the sunshine. The small, happy family went into a small shop and soon came out with two pieces of clothing: a purple hat and cape covered in stars. The mother affixed the cape to the little filly with the blue gem from the exam, and the father good-naturedly thumped the hat on her head... Trixie's eyes flew open and she sat up quickly, reminding herself she was in Canterlot Castle with Princess Luna, not in Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns with her parents...she shook her head to clear the memory. Trixie jumped out of bed and used her magic to straighten the covers and pillow. Satisfied with its appearance, Trixie trotted to the kitchen and gulped down a haybiscuit and some orange juice. Trotting out back to the mantel/door, Trixie composed herself and prepared mentally for a hard mental day. Trixie poked her horn into the mantelpiece hole and the magical door opened. She walked out of the fireplace and immediately encountered Princess Luna and Princess Celestia, both levitating cups of hot coffee they were sipping. Celestia's warm and genial smile eased Trixie ever so slightly. Maybe she wasn't such a bad pony after all. "Hello, Beatrix. It's so nice to meet you." Celestia's voice was as calming as her smile. "Good morning, Princess Celestia. It is an honor to meet you as well." "From what my sister has told me, you are planning to learn more about magic? Well, I wish you the best of luck. Good day!" "Good day, sister," intoned Luna seriously. The Princess turned to me. "I shall tutor you at my sister's School for Gifted Unicorns. I assume you are familiar with the place?" Trixie gave the slightest of nods. "Good. Now, do you remember the teleportation spell I used to bring us to Canterlot?" "Yes." "Do you feel you can replicate it?" "I...I think so." "Try." Princess Luna stepped back to allow Trixie some room and concentration. Trixie focused on the feeling of separation she had felt, and channeled that and a picture of Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns into her magic. However, her magic sparked and burned out. "I...I guess I can't. I'm sorry, Princess." The Princess of the Night didn't look too concerned. Instead, she just closed her eyes and spoke: "I will begin the teleportation spell, but you have to try it again alongside me. You almost had it." Trixie tried again, this time with a bit more success. Princess Luna combined her magic with her protege's, and together the pair disappeared in a flash of blue and pink light, reappearing in front of Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. They silently walked inside. Up the stairs, through the noisy hallways, down to the very last classroom. Princess Luna opened the door, and Trixie walked inside. There were two simple desks, facing each other. One desk was slightly larger and held a binder and quill. The other was smaller and held a notebook and quill. Trixie sat at the smaller desk, and Princess Luna at the large desk. Luna touched her hooves together lightly and leaned back on her chair. "Let us begin." Trixie levitated the violet quill and opened to the first page of her notebook, emblazoned with her cutie mark. "Magic is like flexibility. You learn it from an experienced user, you use it again, and again, and again, and over time it becomes easier and you become stronger and more comfortable using magic. Most unicorns stop there. Other unicorns, who have special talents for magic, may go on learning advanced spells and magical theories. If you don't use your magic, or use it improperly, then your power will diminish." Trixie frantically scribbled notes in her notebook, not wanting to miss a word. "I'm going to asses you on the spells you know, and how well you can perform them. The first one is this..."
Chapter 4Trixie sat in her bed, reviewing her notes from the day's work. Princess Luna had questioned her on every branch of magic Trixie knew about, and more. She had passed with flying colors on the telekinesis tests, and the tests involving light, but she had barely scraped by on everything else. They had stopped for a quick lunch break, the the Princess started on a completely new topic. She had discussed with Trixie what she wanted to be. In some ways, that was even harder than the magical tests. Trixie knew she didn't want to be the wandering traveler who put on fireworks displays and boasted. Nor did she want to stay locked up in an office all day doing paperwork and math. She needed to get out, to move around. Trixie didn't even want to be known as Trixie anymore. Beatrix seemed too stuffy and formal; the name Trixie was known by practically every citizen of Equestria. Princess Luna and Trixie had gone on for hours and hours just debating what Trixie could do. She obviously had a special talent for magic; yes, it needed to be groomed, but Trixie had potential. And when she hadn't been showing off or being rude or downright evil, Trixie was positively sweet. But how could they convince everypony in Equestria of the same thing? The session had ended with Princess Luna assigning homework: Trixie had to rewrite her notes, and she had to practice some of the spells she had some difficulty with. Trixie had practiced the spells, and was almost finished with her notes. As she scribbled the last sentence, Trixie levitated her notebook and quill onto the desk in her room. After a brief moment of consideration, Trixie walked back over to her desk. She had had a dream the last night. About her parents, when she passed the entrance exam to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, and how she got her hat, cape, and brooch, Her cape and brooch were in fact folded carefully in a small cupboard in the kitchen, but her hat was long gone. She may as well write to them. She hadn't seen them since she was discharged from school. Trixie dipped the sapphire feather in a bottle of black ink, and began to write: Dear Mom and Dad, It has been a long time since we've spoken to each other. I wanted to say I'm sorry. You were so disappointed in me when I was discharged from school, and you had a perfect right to. Afterwards, I took a job as a travelling showcase, but my boasting got me into trouble again. These last few months have been really hard for me, but Princess Luna took me in as her protege and I'm doing well. Trixie hesitated. The letter seemed incomplete to her. She added a little bit more. I love you. Hope I see you soon. Love, Trixie Trixie stopped short for a minute, wondering how she would send the letter. She looked out the window. The streets were dark and empty, but Trixie occasionally spotted a guard. There was a mailbox on the side of one street about a hundred yards from the castle. Perfect. Trixie quickly addressed and folded the letter, and she crept out of Princess Luna's quarters and down the stars. The front door was locked, but Trixie knew she could teleport past it. Hopefully. She focused her magic on the shattering sensation, and visualized a picture of the mailbox. With a purple flash, Trixie found herself right beside said mailbox. Allowing herself a small smile at her achievement, Trixie slipped the letter into the mailbox and completed the teleportation spell once again, this time grinning in utter delight. Well, maybe I'm not such a failure after all.
Chapter 5Trixie glared at the blue gem she was supposed to be manipulating. Princess Luna sat back calmly and watched her student as Trixie struggled to enlarge the gem. After a brief moment of success, she managed to double its size, but then, with a faint pop, the unrelenting gem shrank once again. Trixie glared at it some more. Princess Luna lifted her head slightly. "Beatrix, you are doing well. All you need to do is focus your concentration for just a few seconds more. You almost have it." Trixie took a few deep breaths. She picked up, and slowly began to rotate the sapphire with her magic. With every rotation, it grew bigger and bigger until it was the size of Trixie's head. Straining with the effort, Trixie managed to complete the spell, and the newly enlarged gem clattered onto the table. Princess Luna gave a nod of approval. "Excellent work, Beatrix. Now try to--" At that moment, the door banged open and Princesses Celestia and Twilight walked in. Trixie bowed to each of them in turn, then faced Princess Luna. Princess Celestia spoke: "Sister, Princess Twilight Sparkle and myself wanted to witness Beatrix's training. Is that all right with you and your student?" Trixie barely gave a nod. She didn't even want to look at Twilight; though she had been forgiven, Trixie still retained a lasting feeling of guilt towards the purple alicorn. Twilight Sparkle cleared her throat. "Can we get on with it, please?" Trixie hastily backed up and prepared to work her shrinking spell. She glared at the large gem, willing it to obey her. Trixie focused her magic and, using every ounce of concentration she possessed, cast the spell. A lilac beam hit the gem, and Trixie lifted it up, again twirling it slowly, willing it to shrink every time it turned around, until it was finally normally sized. Princess Twilight gave an approving nod, and Princess Luna smiled proudly. "Very well done, Beatrix. Now, change the color to scarlet." Trixie took a breath and lifted up her head. She was soaked in sweat but proud of her success. She lifted up the gem and proceeded to twirl it gently. With every twirl, the color melted to dark blue, which gave way to purple, which faded to red. With a gasp, Trixie dropped the sapphire-ruby on the desk. It glowed slightly, and Twilight Sparkle examined it. Princess Luna levitated her blue quill and wrote down 'enlarge/shrink' and 'change color.' Twilight straightened up and spoke: "Trixie, I would say that you have a basic level of magic skill, but you are very clever and you have the knack for finding intuitive ways to bend that magic into spells that would normally exceed a unicorn of your ability. I can also say that--" Twilight broke off for a second. She cleared her throat and began again: "--that you have indeed changed from the mare I once knew to a humble, modest, good pony." Princess Celestia agreed. "We all have seen what you have done, Beatrix, but we have forgiven you, and you are using your second chance wisely. Unfortunately, many other ponies in Equestria do not feel the same way. We, along with my sister, will help you find a way to blend back into their midst." "But...everypony already knows the name 'Trixie' and they hate me. How can I get close enough to convince them I'm not the same?" Trixie asked. "Call yourself another," suggested Princess Luna. "Call yourself what you think is a name that fits you, yet one that other ponies do not know you by." Trixie considered this. "Nopony knows me as just Beatrix Lulamoon; they know me as the Great and Powerful Trixie. I don't want to be known as Beatrix...I could just go as Lulamoon." "You most certainly could," said Princess Celestia softly. "Then," Trixie said, "I shall call myself 'Lulamoon' until ponies come to know and love me. Only then will I revert to Trixie." Trixie Lulamoon.
