Moving the Stars

Moving the Stars

Story 2

Chapter 3: Two Enemies, One Day

By: FluttersIsAwesome

A chill ran up my spine as I heard that disgusting, too-cute-for-her-age voice ring out as we approached Oceana’s cabin.

“Oh my, visitors~”

Seeing Astro grin as she spoke only made my sickening nausea worse. I hated everything about that pony. I took a moment to look at the cabin: the exterior was nothing special. It met my expectations of a simple log cabin, with the exception of the decorated window beside the door.

Astro knocked on the door when we arrived, and that irritating voice called out again.

“Cooooming~”

Dammit, Astro, why did you have to make me come with you? I wish I had never agreed to take your test, I found myself thinking as a bright turquoise filly appeared in the now open door.

“Astro! Come in, please!” She jumped towards him and wrapped her arms around him like she always did. Then she turned to me. I couldn’t help but put on a smug grin every time that annoying smile of hers contorted into a frown. “Oh... hello again Trixie.”

The way she acted like saying my name pained her made me want to show her what real pain was. Luckily, I am the Great and Powerful Trixie, and she does not lose her head over a simple mare’s lack of manners. “Hello Oceana,” I managed through gritted teeth under the guise of a fake grin.

She allowed us both in her kitchen and prepared tea for us. I won’t lie, as much as I hated her, one thing I could praise her for was her cooking. She sat down with us, but kept her eyes on my teacher.

“So what brings you to my humble abode, my dearest? You need something, or are you just here to visit?”

The colt set his cup down and gazed at her for a moment before clearing his throat. “It’s actually about my student.”

Her smile faded again; I was torn between satisfaction at her realizing Astro’s motive for visiting and malice towards her unwillingness to do something for me.

“Really now? And what does she want?”

Astro shot her that angry, frightening glare that he had given me so many times in the past two days. “We need two bottles of Marine Luster, and you’re the only pony I know that can make it.”

Both my eyes and hers became wider than platters. Marine Luster was a fine alcohol that was quite expensive. In unison, we both asked him, “Why would you need that?”

Seeing Astro make any sort of joke was always a rare sight.

“ALCHEMY!” he shouted proudly.

However, Oceana, being the ditz she is, actually believed him. “Really? Um... okay. I’ll do it, but know this: I wouldn’t do it for any other pony.”

My mentor grinned softly and patted her shoulder. “I appreciate it, lass. Thank you,” he set his cup down and rose from the table as he spoke; “now if you’ll excuse us, we have to leave. Take care, my friend.”

She grinned as he walked off, but I stayed. I rose as well, but instead of leaving I got right in her face. “Now you listen here, Little Miss ‘Charm’. Astro was not, is not, and never will be in love with you, you got me? And not only that, but if you think you can get away with talking down to the Great and Powerful Trixie, you’ve got several things coming.”

Before she could even retaliate, I turned sharply and smacked her in the face with my tail as I left. I savored the look of utter shock on her face as I looked back before closing the door. Who does she even think she is? I wasn’t sure why, but for some reason I was slightly offended at seeing her try to flirt with Astro.

I quickly caught up with Astro; he hadn’t gone far by the time I had left the cabin. In fact, he was facing my direction as if he was waiting on me.

Surprisingly, a grin was spread across his face instead of the scowl I was expecting. “Nice job, Trixie. I was wondering when you’d finally develop the backbone to tell off Oceana.” He clapped a bit, and I could help but chuckle. He turned and began to walk again once I was by his side.

“So, what exactly do you need the Marine Luster for?” I inquired.

Astro hesitated before answering. “Well, I told you I’d get you dinner, but what’s the point if you don’t have anything good to drink?”

I looked at him inquisitively. Now I was curious as to where he planned to take me. “Where exactly are we going, Astro?”

He shrugged. “Do whatever you want. I think you’ve stressed yourself enough with the plates and the water, and you need to take a rest.” His head swiveled a bit as he cracked his neck, and I stopped walking.

“Are you saying that you don’t think I could handle another lesson?” That’s exactly what he was saying, and he knew I didn’t like it. My irritation was only exacerbated when he turned to me with his infamous superior look. This was the expression he donned whenever he scolded me.

“Listen, Trixie. You may not feel it, but you are getting tired. This is not physical exhaustion, it’s magic. You won’t feel it in your body; you won’t become sluggish and you won’t feel tired. However, should you try and cast more spells, not only will you be unable to, but it will start taking a toll on you.”

In spite of everything he had done for me that day, I couldn’t help but scowl. I understood what he was talking about, as it had happened once before, but I was positive I was past that point by now. “Fine, Astro. I’ll do as you say and go to bed.” There was no point in trying to argue, so I began walking again, but he blocked me.

“You don’t need bed rest. Don’t you remember your last incident with Magic Exhaust?”

To say no would be a bald-faced lie, so I nodded slowly.

“And what did we have to do?”

I blushed slightly when I recalled my last incident. Astro told me that energy could be restored through meditation in a specialized area of the manor, but the fastest way was for another unicorn to lend their energy to the weak one. Astro had voluntarily given me his energy last time, so I assumed he would do it again. “You gave me your energy.”

Astro nodded, but closed his eyes. “Good. I have no qualms about helping you again, but I still want you to take it easy.”

Really? What am I going to do for the rest of the day, then? I decided against arguing again and simply nodded.

“Alright then. Close your eyes, friend.”

The sensation that flowed through my body when Astro’s horn touched mine still made me shudder, and could never figure out if it was just his magic or something... more. Not only that, but it was odd for him to call me “friend” out of the blue like that. Normally he only addressed my like that when I passed a test or successfully mastered a spell. Not to mention the rare occasion where I managed to make him laugh.

Seeing as how I literally had nothing better to do, I decided to head into Canterlot proper and take a look around the shops. As I walked down the stone road, I felt my stomach rumble. “Heh... I guess even the Great and Powerful Trixie has her limits.” Luckily the Herb Garden, my favorite luncheon restaurant, wasn’t but a few feet away. I walked quickly to the door and pushed it open. I wish I had never gone in.

Twilight Sparkle and her little dragon friend were there as well, also getting ready to order.

Avoiding her gaze was easy considering she hadn’t turned around when I came in. All I needed to do was make sure that she didn’t realize I was here and dealing with her would be made much less difficult. However, as usual, my luck turned against me as I approached an empty order counter.

“Trixie? Is that you?” The lavender unicorn was staring straight at me.

Damn! When did she see me? It took all the strength I had to keep myself calm, but somehow I managed. “Hello Twilight. What’s the occasion for you being here?” It was only when I finished my sentence that I realized I was grinding my teeth.

She, however, seemed as if she had forgotten all about my ordeal in Ponyville. Twilight trotted over to me with a smile. “Princess Celestia called for me. She said she wanted an in-pony evaluation of my study progress. What about you?”

I figured that since she was apparently doing her best to be nice, it would only be polite for me to do the same. “Astro gave me the rest of the day off. I’m merely waiting for him to return since he promised to take me out to dinner.”

She titled her head. “Astro? As in Astro Stellaris, the Sage that made the Sea Guardian constellation?”

My eyes widened. I had seen Astro’s constellation before, but he never actually told me what it was. “Yes... that Astro. How did you know about his constellation?”

“Well, I saw it completely by accident when I was updating my star charts one night. I decided to look it up and I found that Astro was the one who made it, but the book never gave a reason as to.”

I rested my chin on my hoof and thought. “I’ll have to talk to him about it tonight.”