The Element of Pride

Chapters

A Past Long Forgotten
A Lonesome Performer
A Hope Now Found
A Day of Discovery
A Wound Unhealed
A Desperate Dance

A Past Long Forgotten

Prologue: A Past Long Forgotten

The darkness was unusually thick this night, and a chill bitter wind whipped through the Canterlot Palace courtyard. It was a foreboding wind that told of the silent conflict taking place, of the struggle that had already begun, whose outcome would decide of the fate of Equestria. Magical energies crackled and flowed through this wind, cast down by the moon that shone brightly across the land. The moon that had taken the place of the sun.

“Sister!” Princess Celestia shouted into the darkness as she strode down the pathway through the Canterlot garden. “I know what thou has done! Show thyself!”

“Come into the light?” Her sister’s voice taunted from the blackness. “I was not made for the light, dear sister, thou knowest this! Thou mock me with this command!”

“I do no such thing!” Celestia exclaimed in surprise. “I would never do such a thing, thou knowest this as well! I wish nothing but the best for my dear sister!”

“The best? Thou believe the best for me is sitting in the dark alone for the rest of time while thou enjoys the company of our subjects!? Thou believes this is the best for me!?” The wind howled even louder, sparks of magic arcing just inches from Celestia’s ear. “I am a fairy tale among our people, an unseen monster to be spoken of in stories! All because they shun the darkness,and seek thine light instead!”

“Thou are not a monster, Luna! Simply a mystery! They know not who thou truly are!” Celestia exclaimed.

“My name is not Luna! I have become more than helpless lonely little Luna! I am Nightmare Moon, and our subjects shall know me! Once I banish the sun forever!” Black mist surged through the darkness, forming slowly into the shape of a horrifying face, followed by a sleek black body. This was not the body of Princess Luna, Celestia realized. This was an abomination! More snake than pony. What could have possibly corrupted her so?

“I am sorry sister… but I cannot allow thine ambition to come to pass!” Celestia whirled quickly, her horn flaring with a piercing white light as her power met the dark mist coalescing around her younger sibling.

The magical energies swirling through the air clashed in a vicious whirlwind of dueling powers, ripping and tearing at one another in a vicious onslaught. The two princesses’ horns were only inches apart, the power radiating from them struggling to pass even that short distance to get at one-another, and end this conflict. The forces at work were enough to set the wind around them howling in a rapid cyclone, powerful bursts of magic roaring through the trees like bolts of lightning.

The battle was over quickly, as the light pulsed and grew in only a couple of seconds to engulf the dark pony, for several moments completely blotting out the Canterlot courtyard before the light swirled once again into the darkness, the energy spinning itself into nothingness to reveal Nightmare Moon lying on her side, writhing in pain and shock.

“C-Celestia…” Nightmare Moon growled deep in her throat. “How… dare…”

“I know not what has happened to you, sister… but I cannot allow our subjects to suffer from your rule.” Celestia marched up to stand over her fallen sibling. “Please… show some sign that thou are still Princess Luna.”

“I shall not…” Nightmare Moon grunted and struggled to stand up on the cold concrete pathway, but her legs could not lift her. “I shall not give up… I shall see my beautiful night last forever…” Celestia’s attacker growled in anger even as she sobbed in sadness. “My beautiful, glorious night shall be loved… I shall be loved.”

“Thou are loved now, sister.” Celestia told her softly.

“Thine love means nothing! Empty words spoken by a heartless wretch of a princess! Aaaugh!” Nightmare Moon gasped in surprise as Celestia’s horn began to glow with a powerful white light, lifting her from the pavement. “What shall thou do to me? Slay me? Would thou prove me right?”

“I had hoped it would not come to this, sister… but thou leave me no choice.” Celestia stared up at her captive with a sharp gaze. “Thou are sentenced to imprisonment for crimes against Equestria and its people, to be carried out in the place of thy power… the moon.”

“Wh-what? No!” Nightmare Moon struggled against her sister’s power, but to no avail. “Thou cannot hold me there forever! Even thy power has its limits!”

“One thousand years, sister.” Celestia warned her. “Thy sentence is for one thousand years.”

“Then in one thousand years I shall try again!” Nightmare Moon hissed.

“I will not stop you.” Celestia announced. This made Nightmare Moon pause, fixing a pair of wide eyes on her. “It is my hope that someday a lesson will be learned… if not, I shall allow thine ambition to become a reality. With no resistance.”

“Thou are a fool…” Nightmare Moon told her.

“I believe in my sister’s ability to love and see reason.” Celestia countered.

“One thousand years, then. In one thousand years, the day shall end and the reign of the night will be eternal!” Nightmare Moon cracked a grin and let out a boisterous laugh as the light around her body shone even brighter, completely engulfing her.

Moments later the light was gone, and so was Nightmare Moon. One thousand years, Celestia thought. She had one thousand years to figure out how to make her sister see reason… or Equestria was doomed.

A Lonesome Performer

Chapter 1: A Lonesome Performer

SQUEAKY SQUEAKYSQUEAKYSQUEAKY

Tiny wooden wheels sang their rhythmic song as they rolled down the smooth pavement just inside of the Canterlot city entrance. Ponies of all kinds, though primarily unicorns, milled back and forth across the streets and bustling shopping sectors of the capital city of Equestria. With their noses firmly stuck in the air, few citizens noticed the little blue-furred filly pulling her rickety wagon down the street, her eyes shining at the new and wondrous sights all around her. The wagon attached to her carried every physical possession she had in this world, her whole life trailing less than two feet behind her.

“Wow, this place is so fabulous, pretty… and rich!” The filly grinned to herself, only picking up her stride in search of her preferred place of business. Surely a place with ponies so rich would have some very generous ponies for a cute little performer such as herself. If she did well enough here, she might not have to leave again!

It wasn’t long before she spotted a large, well-kept park right in the center of the Cliffside city, bounding out onto the grass, past the small rivers and lakes and through the throngs of grown-up ponies going about their daily business. She came to a stop, unhooked the wagon from her body and moved back to pull a small wooden crate out of the wagon, letting it drop to the grass in front of one of the larger fountains. She climbed up to stand on the box and turned toward her wagon, her horn glowing to drag two pieces of clothing toward her, a small cloth cape with several long tears in it and a battered old Unicorn’s hat, which settled on her back and head respectively.

Trixie cleared her throat and stood dramatically on her hind hooves to make herself as visible as possible before shouting in her loudest voice. “Come one come all, and witness the magic of the magnificent, the mighty, and the mysterious Trixie! Watch as I perform wonders beyond wondering, magic like you’ve never seen before! Gather round, and I’ll show you the true nature of the universe itself!”

“Awww, look hon, isn’t that adorable?” Trixie heard one passing colt mutter with a soft chuckle.

“Yes, I want to see what she does!” His fillyfriend replied eagerly. Trixie couldn’t help a smile tugging at the corner of her lips as plenty of similarly muttering ponies gathered around her. Yes, she could make very good business off this place.

She had spent months honing her show into a fine performance, making things disappear and reappear, making herself jump higher than most unicorns could, small things that weren’t really that amazing, but she’d discovered months ago that if you said something was impressive in a loud enough voice, ponies were inclined to believe it. The fact that she knew how to flutter her eyelashes and flash her adorable violet eyes didn’t hurt either. The grown-ups always ooh’d and aah’d at that, especially the mares.

The light was fading, but Trixie had a decent sized crowd by the time she whipped her cape around her little body and flashed a bright smile at the crowd. “Thank you all so much for watching my show! It makes me feel so good that I could make somepony’s day brighter! Now if you could make my day a little brighter…?” Trixie reached up and pulled off her pointy hat, holding it out to the crowd. “Just a bit or two from such generous ponies?”

The crowd exchanged confused glances with one-another, then broke out into a collective laugh that shook Trixie down to the bone. “That was the funniest thing I’ve heard all week!” One mare said.

“You’ve got talent kid, a real show-stopper.” A stallion quipped as the crowd dispersed in all directions, leaving her hat propped on the grass in front of her, as empty as she’d started.

“Sheesh… how can such rich ponies be so stingy…?” Trixie sighed and plopped down on her butt in exhaustion, letting her hat fall flat to the grass. “Guess I’m sleeping in the wagon tonight…”

Suddenly several golden sparkling bits fell onto the side of her hat, drawing Trixie’s surprised gaze up from the ground. A kind-looking mare with a soft smile and a small blue policepony’s had on her head was giving her a gentle look. “I thought it was worth plenty of bits.”

“Wow, thanks ma’am!” Trixie squealed in delight and snatched the hat off the ground, plucking the bits from it.

The policemare took a seat beside her small wooden box, sitting comfortably on the grass. “We don’t have many performers coming through Canterlot. Certainly not your kind. Technically you’re not allowed to put on those kinds of performances here.”

“O-oh…?” Trixie froze. “Am I in trouble…?”

“Not at all, I’ll let you off with a warning this time.” The policemare shrugged off the very idea.

“Oh, whew… well I’ll leave tomorrow, I promise.” Trixie nodded sincerely. “I didn’t mean to do anything wrong.”

“I’m sure you didn’t.” The policemare smiled again, but this smile faded a bit faster than before. “Where are your parents?”

“Dunno.” Trixie shrugged. “Didn’t know ‘em… been wandering around Equestria since I can really remember.”

“My, you’re a very self-sufficient little foal.” The mare chuckled.

“I guess so.” Trixie mumbled.

“Hey, you know what… that was quite a display of magic for a filly your age.” The mare stood up and turned to look towards the largest building in the city, a large, spiraling structure that peaked almost as tall as the mountain on which it had been built. That had to be the royal palace, Trixie realized. “Princess Celestia is always looking for fillies and colts of exceptional magic to take into her school. Perhaps you could find a place there, if you could pass the entrance exam.”

“What good would that do?” Trixie scoffed. “A school wouldn’t give me shelter.”

“Sure it would, especially that school. They’d give you everything you’d need.” The mare informed her.

This gave Trixie pause, turning to look up at her with wide, wet eyes. “Really? They do that?”

“You bet they do.” The mare told her with a smile. “With what I just saw, I have no doubt you’ll be able to get in there… and even if you don’t, I’m sure the princess would have something in mind for you. Nopony wants to see a filly wandering the countryside by her lonesome.”

“Huh…” Trixie turned a curious gaze on the palace again, pursing her lips thoughtfully for a moment before springing into action. She packed all of her things back into her creaky wagon and slipped the strap around her neck. “Thank you so much! Oh, um… do you want the bits back?”

“Not at all, you earned them.” The policemare chuckled. Trixie grinned back and waved goodbye before taking off at a brisk gallop towards the palace. She’d never turned down a place to get in out of the cold night air before, she wasn’t about to turn down this one.

The palace was a large, intimidating structure that only loomed larger the closer she got. Even the pathway leading up to it made her feel tiny,it was easily wide enough to accommodate at least six full-grown ponies walking abreast. Her eyes darted back and forth across the royal lawn as she marched up the path to the massive doors in front of the palace, where two Pegasus guards in plate armor stood a silent vigil, though their eyes seemed to be following her every movement.

“Um, hello sirs!” Trixie flashed the best cute grin she had, which was extremely cute. “I was wondering if I could get inside!”

“What’s your business here?” The guard asked sternly.

Trixie stood her ground, refusing to be intimidated. “I’d like to take the entrance exam for the magic school, please!”

The two Pegasii exchanged a brief glance. “Leave the wagon.” One of the two warned her.

“My wagon? But it’s all I have…” Trixie glared suspiciously.

“It will be here when you return.” The second guard informed her without a smile, as if it wasn’t meant to be comforting so much as a simple statement of fact. Well, they were the royal guards, she supposed. Where else would it be safer?

So she left her wagon with one guard and turned to follow the second into the palace. It was everything on the inside that it looked like on the outside, beautiful sparkling marble and stone topped with luxurious carpeting and drapes. She didn’t have much time to admire the scenery though, as she was being led down one of the hallways on the main floor, up a flight of stairs and down several more hallways until they finally reached a door whose entrance was so high it nearly touched the already-high ceiling.

Her escort pushed the door open and stepped aside to let her enter. “Please wait here a few moments.” He told her.

“Sure!” Trixie smiled again and bounded into the room. It looked like a classroom, with several rows of seats slanting up toward the back of the room. Well the nice guard had said there was a magic school in the palace, this must be where they taught the lessons. It wasn’t a bad place, and if the chalk dust all over the blackboard was any indication, they learned a lot of stuff here. Trixie had to wonder what she could learn. Why she could make her show so much better with more magic tricks!

“Good evening, little filly.” Trixie blinked and turned to see another mare entering the room, her horn closing the door behind her as she moved toward Trixie. She had a light blonde coat, a dirty red mane and a pair of thick glasses perched in front of a pair of deep brown eyes. “They tell me you’re asking about the entrance exam for Celestia’s magic school for gifted unicorns.”

“Uh-huh! My name’s Trixie! I wanna be a great unicorn magic user!” Trixie exclaimed.

“Yes, most of the fillies and colts who come here do.” The older mare flashed her a wry smile. “Well, Trixie, it is somewhat unusual for a filly to just stroll in without warning and demand to take the test, let alone at this time of day. What is it that brings you here so abruptly? Really?”

Trixie hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. “I needed a place to sleep. Really.” Trixie replied truthfully. She hated sounded like she was begging, but she wasn’t fond of lying either.

The mare’s expression softened instantly and a smile cracked her lips. “I had a feeling. I just wanted to see if you would tell me. You’re not the first you know, and you don’t need to get into the school for us to help you.”

“Thanks… but I wanna get in the school. I’ve used my magic to get by up to now, I think having even more magic would make things better for me. I know I can do it.”

The mare nodded firmly. “That’s what I like to hear, determination.” She turned back toward the door as her horn began to glow with magic light, pulling the door open. Moments later a small cart began to roll into the room under the power of her magic, sliding smoothly into the center, bearing its cargo with ease. That cargo consistent of a small patch of hay holding what looked like a blue and white spotted egg almost as large as Trixie herself.

“This is a dragon egg.” The mare informed her. “Dragons are creatures who have magic infused into their very being, they cannot even be born without a strong enough dose of magic to force them to hatch. Your test, Trixie, is to make this egg hatch. Everypony who enlists in Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns must do this. Plus the dragon that hatches from this egg will be your friend and assistant while you are studying, do you understand?”

“I think so.” Trixie nodded with her lips set in a grim line. “Blast it with magic and make a new friend!”

“Close enough.” The mare smiled. “When you’re ready.”

Trixie turned to the large egg and took a deep breath, taking a moment to compose her thoughts. She’d spent enough time performing on the road to have a pretty good grasp on how to do magic, but this was something entirely different. What if she used too much and simply broke the egg? Was that the same as hatching it? What if she simply failed to affect the egg at all? She hated failing… but she couldn’t simply not try.

A few more deep breaths later and Trixie’s horn began to glow with a steady crimson light, which pierced forward and hit the eggshell like an arrow, but didn’t seem to have any effect at all. A grunt escaped the little filly’s throat as she concentrated her efforts, the beam growing steadily brighter by the moment, but still seeming to simply bounce off of the egg like a mere beam of light. She was going to fail… she couldn’t…

“No!” Trixie exclaimed. “I’m not… gonna… fail!” She gritted her teeth and scraped her hooves across the ground as small pulses of energy flowed through the crimson energy stream. At last the egg began to twitch back and forth on the hay, but she didn’t want to stop, she didn’t want to risk the movement going away. Her brain felt like it was on fire, but still she held the connection, pumping what must have been all of the magic she possessed into her target.

At last she heard a small crack, following by another as the thick shell began to break apart. The crimson beam sparkled, then died out entirely just as the eggshell burst outward and a small blue baby dragon flopped onto its back on the hay with a startled yelp and a frightened cry.

“Congratulations, Trixie.” The teacher mare told her. “It’s a girl.”

A Hope Now Found

Chapter 2: A Hope Now Found

Princess Celestia stood on the highest balcony of the Canterlot Royal Palace, her brilliant snow-white wings spread out against the sky high above. The golden rays of the sun fading against the horizon nearly overpowered the golden glow of her horn as her magic weaved through the air, reaching not only to the sun itself, but also the moon which rose slowly in the opposite horizon. Her magic infused the two celestial bodies, dragging them across the sky. Once upon a time, she understood, this was something that happened by itself. Order was simply inherent in the land and the sky…

Then Dischord had come and broken the natural order of the universe. Now it was up to the two sisters of the day and night to keep time moving along as it should… or at least that was how it was supposed to be, she noted glumly as she, once again, gazed upon the soft silhouette of Nightmare Moon engraved upon the surface of the rising moon. It had been almost a thousand years since her baby sister had been corrupted by her own madness, yet the pain still had yet to fade. She began to doubt it ever would.

It only got worse as she realized that despite her best efforts to sway the flow of magic in Equestria, she’d been unable to create or find a pony capable of wielding the Element of Magic. Time was growing short. If she couldn’t find such a pony soon, Nightmare Moon would return, Equestria would be blanketed in eternal night, and they would all be lost forever in her darkness.

A grunt escaped her lips as a sharp surge of pain ripped from her horn through her mind, driving her to her knees as the magic aura faded. She fought back against the pain through gritted teeth, panting and fighting for control of her own magic for several moments before finally the pain began to subside and she was able to breathe again. Darnit, she thought to herself, these magic backlashes were getting more frequent, and more severe. Her powers as a Princess were great, but even she could only keep this up for so long. Time was running out for more than one reason.

Oh well, she thought glumly. One way or another, she wouldn’t be responsible for the sun and the moon for many more years.

“Your Highness.” Celestia whirled in surprise to see her Chancellor watching her from the doorway with a surprise, worried look in his eyes. “Are you alright?”

“Of course…” Celestia grunted and rose to her hooves, taking a moment to steady herself before turning back to him. “Merely a little lightheaded from the night air.” She flashed him a disarming smile. “Is something the matter?”

“We’ve had a potential student come into the Palace to take the entrance exam for your Magic School.” The Chancellor informed her. “She seems to have passed the entrance exam with little formal training.”

“Is that so?” Celestia’s eyebrows rose in surprise and interest. “I will see to her immediately.”

Celestia moved quickly through the halls of her school, making her way to the royal audience chamber. There she found some of her guards standing on either side of her throne, in front of which a small filly was waiting with wide, curious eyes and an eager smile. Celestia noted with some surprise that she already had a cutiemark on her flank, of a wand surrounded by a blue mist. Celestia knew exactly what it meant. Her gift was that of magic. No wonder she’d passed the test so easily.

“Greetings and congratulations, my little pony.”Celestia smiled and moved up in front of her. The young filly gasped and bowed respectfully at her approach. The baby dragon she’d hatched sat at her side, a small blue dragon with a long snout, sitting on its butt and looking at the world with all the curiosity and wonder of a newly hatched baby.

“Thank you, princess.” The filly rose to her feet again. “It’s an honor to be here.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” Celestia smiled. “What is your name?”

“Trixie, Your Highness.” Trixie replied with an eager smile.

Celestia stared down at the young filly for several moments. She could feel the magical potential within her. It was fairly rare for a unicorn to be born with a gift for magic. Hatching a dragon egg proved one had the potential for great ability, but there were still so many other factors to be considered. Still, to do it with no formal training at all was quite remarkable, especially to have such energy left afterward. Indeed, the filly had a broad grin plastered on her lips with no sign of exhaustion. Could the Element of Magic have been born at long last?

“I look forward to seeing you grow and learn here with me.” Celestia welcomed her with a smile.

Trixie squealed in delight and bowed again quickly. “Thank you Your Highness! I’ll do my best to earn your attention!”

“I have no doubt you will perform admirably.” Celestia told her kindly. Trixie’s smile only widened as she stood up straight, her baby dragon and future assistant trying to eat its own tail at her side. Please, Celestia thought to herself. Let this be the unicorn…

A Day of Discovery

Chapter 3: A Day of Discovery

Canterlot was HUGE. The capital city of Equestria sure did live up to its reputation, it took Trixie a long while to figure out where the library was, let alone where everything else in the ridiculously ornate city could be found. The map given to her by the Princess’ assistant was helpful, but in such a huge city she supposed it was natural she would just have to try to memorize where everything was. She didn’t want to look like a perpetual tourist, after all.

Not that there was any risk of that with the blue and white baby dragon perched on her back, she thought with a smile. It was a cute little girl dragon she’d named Skyblue, and while she wasn’t yet old enough to assist with anything, carrying her around somehow made Trixie’s days just a little bit brighter. She’d spent years of her life travelling alone, after all. It was nice to have a companion who she knew would still be there the following day.

As she wandered down the smooth stone streets she couldn’t help but wander a bit from the path shown by the map, to approach the outer wall of Canterlot. She found herself looking through the thick glass out across what surely must have been the whole of Equestria. She couldn’t fathom why a city would be built on the side of the mountain, let alone one large enough to be seen from hundreds of miles around, but it sure did make for a breathtaking view.

“Hey, look who it is.” Trixie blinked when she heard a voice from behind her, and turned around to see two fillies her own age standing behind her. One was a yellow unicorn with a long curled mane in two beautifully layered shades of blue, and bright violet eyes that sparkled with such shine they almost appeared pink. The second was a white unicorn with bright pink hair, eyes that shone bright aquamarine, and a cutiemark on her side in the shape of three blue stars. “You’re the Princess’ special pupil. Fancy meeting you out here.”

“My name is Trixie!” Trixie replied excitedly. These were the first ponies to speak to her outside of the Princess’ royal guards and teachers. “What’s yours!?”

The white unicorn spoke again. “I’m Star Dancer, this is my sister Moon Dancer.” The yellow pony grinned with an enthusiastic nod. “What are you doing out of the academy? I thought you spent all your time there.”

“Well they don’t KEEP me there.” Trixie replied with a slight smirk on her lips. “I’ve been meaning to get out, but the princess just keeps me ssssooooo busy! I can’t find the time.”

“Wow, it must be so amazing studying magic with the princess herself!” Star Dancer sighed and swooned against her sister’s side. “She’s so amazing and regal! I gotta admit! I’m jealous!”

“Well, it is pretty amazing!” Trixie replied with a grin. “She’s taught me all sorts of things! Like this!” Trixie took a deep breath and stared at the ground, trying to focus the way she’d been taught. Her small horn began to glow with a soft crimson shimmer, and on the ground in front of her tiny pinpoints of light began to weave and sparkle across the ground in a tiny dance.

Star Dancer laughed as she and her sister clapped their hooves against the ground in appreciation. “Oh that’s so amazing! And you’re so young too! We can’t even pick things up yet!”

“Thanks!” Trixie blushed softly with a broad grin on her face. “The Princess said I was one of the most talented young fillies she’s ever seen!”

“I can see why!” Star Dancer agreed. “Hey, I know, as long as you’re out and about, do you wanna hang out with us!? You can show us more of what you can do!”

“That sounds like so much fun!” Trixie nodded enthusiastically. “I’d love to!”

Laughing happily, the three fillies spun around to trot through the streets of Canterlot together. They were the first friends Trixie made in this town, and she couldn’t believe how easy it was. Her powers had impressed her new friends almost immediately, it had been so easy. She would never have to be lonely again!

A Wound Unhealed

Chapter 04: A Wound Unhealed

Trixie’s training was surprisingly smooth, and Celestia grew hopeful that this was indeed the Element of Magic sown by one thousand years of careful preparation. The unicorn definitely had a gift for the magical arts beyond most, with a diverse repertoire of spells nearly memorized in the first few months. It was mostly small stuff like advanced levitation and light refraction, but Celestia was fairly confident that she had chosen wisely.

It was with a sense of pride that Celestia watched the growing filly in their private training chambers. Her eyes were narrowed in concentration, and sweat was beading on her forehead as her horn began to glow with a brighter and brighter crimson light. Celestia watched with a mask of calmness on her face as a soft wind began to blow through the room, blowing the young unicorn’s mane around her body as black smoke began to seep out of her horn.

The black smoke billowed into the air above her, carried by the wind current and strands of red magical energy that moved with them like razor-thin streamers. Shards of lightning ripped through the forming cloud, and a clap of thunder echoed across the room. Most regions in Equestria had their weather controlled by Pegasus scientists, only extremely powerful Unicorns could do it themselves. It was a small cloud, but impressive nonetheless.

“Very good, Trixie.”Celestia smiled and approached as the cloud began to dissipate, its energy vanishing back into the ether. Trixie was panting from the exertion, with sweat pouring down her forehead, but she kept her head high and grinned through her fatigue. “That was an impressive showing. You’ve come a long way in a fairly short time.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” The pony bowed again. “I’m the best because of your teaching.”

“You aren’t the best, Trixie.” Celestia reminded her. “You’re only better than you were before, which is the best you can hope to be.”

“Of course, Princess.” Trixie bowed in respect again, though there was an odd twinge to her voice. Celestia thought to ask about it, but they were interrupted by her chancellor entering the room.

“Your Highness.” The guard stepped towards them before giving them both a small respectful bow. “Dinner is ready.”

“Thank you, we’ll be along momentarily.” Celestia replied with a smile before turning back to her student. “Go wash up for dinner, I shall meet you in the dining room.”

“Yes, your highness!” Trixie nodded with a sweet smile and leapt from the floor, bounding toward the door with the energy of the extremely young.

Celestia allowed herself a soft sigh as she pushed her way out of the training room and moved down the hallway. She blinked when the world around her began to grow strangely hazy, then again when she suddenly found herself lying on the thick carpet on her side, opening her eyes against the sharp lights of the candles on the walls.

“Celestia! Please wake up, Celestia!” A gentle voice urged her onward back into consciousness. Celestia groaned softly and turned to see Princess Cadence kneeling down beside her, one hoof wrapped around Celestia’s head to hold it up off the ground. “Oh thank goodness…” Cadence told her with a smile. “Hold still a moment, I’ll help you.”

“Thank you, Cadence…” Celestia took a deep breath as Cadence’s horn began to glow with a soft blue light. The light streamed forth into Celestia’s head in a tiny beam, the pain roaring through her mind beginning to ease the moment the beam touched her. It was only another few moments before Celestia was on her hooves again, shaking her head to clear it. “I should have come to see you sooner, I just got distracted. My apologies.”

Cadence responded with a soft chuckle. “Only you would apologize for fainting, Celestia.” Her smile faded a few moments later. “You’ve been getting these headaches more frequently of late. I’m afraid you won’t be able to keep up this strain for much longer, being responsible for the sun, the moon, and all the ponies under both…”

“Don’t fear, dear Cadence.” Celestia assured her young companion. “My burden is no more than I can handle, and soon it will not be mine alone to bare… one way or another…”

Cadence cocked her head curiously, but Celestia offered no explanation, instead asking, “are you going to join Trixie and myself for dinner tonight?”

“Oh, as much as I’d love to I can’t. Shining Armor’s little sister needs a foalsitter for the evening, and I volunteered.” Cadence smiled with a slightly rosy blush on her pink cheeks. “Again.”

“My, you sure are quick to volunteer for what he asks, aren’t you?” Celestia cast the smaller filly a sly smile. Cadence was one of the few Princesses currently alive in Equestria, and by far the youngest of them. As they grew most Princesses put away concepts of romance and lives of adventure. Living so much longer than Unicorns, Pegasii, and Earth Ponies made it difficult to love when one knew it would be swiftly lost. Still, Cadence was young and, in a way, Celestia envied her for it. She still believed in love… and understandably so. Love was her special talent, after all.

“Well he’s a really good friend.” Cadence replied with a giggle. “Plus I can’t say it’s much of a chore, Twilight Sparkle makes me wish I could have foals of my own, she’s so adorable to spend time with! Here, take a look at this!” Cadence looked up as her horn flashed, a small photograph appearing in a burst of sky-blue light of a tiny, purple filly sitting quietly on a shag carpet and reading a strangely thick book. In fact it looked suspiciously like a dictionary. “Is she not the cutest!?”

“Yes, and quite… studious, from the looks of her.”Celestia chuckled softly. “I shouldn’t keep you from her much longer, go make sure she stays safe, as a good foalsitter should.”

“Yes ma’am!” Cadence gave her a quick goofy salute. “If you’re sure you’ll be okay.”

“I’ll be fine, I promise. Go enjoy yourself.” Celestia chuckled.

“Well then, I’ll see you tomorrow!” Cadence flashed a bright smile and a quick wave before turning to gallop down the hallway again, vanishing around the corner with a flick of her colorful tail.

Celestia watched her go with a smile, then turned back toward the dining room. She wasn’t a foalsitter, but she still had a little filly of her own to look after now.

A Desperate Dance

Chapter 5: A Desperate Dance

Trixie walked with her chest stuck out in front of her, flanked on either side by Star Dancer and Moon Dancer as they made their way toward their favorite after-school hangout, the Sip N Slip Youth Club. Over the last few months Trixie had spent quite a bit of time there with her two new best friends. They followed her pretty much everywhere, and she couldn’t get enough of them. Their attention, their friendship, their adoration…

Everything she’d never had growing up alone.

That didn’t matter now, of course! Her friends would never leave her. They followed her into the club where the brilliant lights flashed and the other fillies and colts dances their worries away, worries of studying and meeting other foals and teachers. None of it mattered while they danced the evening away… until curfew.

Star Dancer slipped up beside Trixie with a nervous grin. “Hey Trixie, um, do you think you could show us one of your spells again?”

“Mmmm, maybe later, Trixie needs a drink.” Trixie brushed her off with one hoof and a playful smile.

Star Dancer giggled back. “Then allow Star Dancer to get Trixie a drink!” She took off across the club toward the counter while Trixie and Moon Dancer made their way over to one of the smaller tables near the dance floor, taking their seats on the thick plush cushions. Moon Dancer didn’t talk a lot, but she was nice company to have around.

Her attention was pulled back to the dance floor as the song that was playing abruptly ended, replaced by a new song with an even faster and harder beat. Several young fillies and colts laughed to themselves as they left the dance floor, muttering about being tired and not wanting to embarrass themselves. Of the few foals who remained on the dance floor there was one colt in particular who was spinning around the floor, the light from his horn glowing across a cocky smile.

“Aw come on you babies!” He shouted at the retreating crowd, turning to display the cutiemark across his flank, that of a set of very shiny looking shoes with metal bottoms. “Can’t handle a REAL song? Hah!”

“Hmph.” Trixie smirked and glanced to the side as Star Dancer returned with her drink, setting it on the table beside her. “He thinks he’s hot stuff.”

“Oh, that’s Fancy Dance.” Star Dancer informed her with a blush. “He’s the son of one of the most well-respected ponies in Canterlot! Supposed to be a dancing prodigy too.”

“Is that a fact?” Trixie huffed and threw her nose into the air. “I don’t like him, he’s not all that great.”

“What are you talking about? He’s an amazing dancer.” A goofy smile spread across Star Dancer’s lips as she watched Fancy Dance out on the dance floor. He wasn’t a bad-looking colt, Trixie had to admit, his pearl white coat and deep brown mane meshed well together, and his moves were those of a very flexible and talented pro… and yet…

Star Dancer was looking at him in admiration. The very same look she’d been giving Trixie! That just wouldn’t do.

Trixie pulled herself away from the table and moved out onto the dance floor, approaching the cocky colt with her nose in the air. “So you think you’re that amazing, huh?” Trixie demanded.

“Huh? Of course I don’t think I’m that amazing.” The colt cackled. “I know I am, baby!”

“Then why don’t you prove it?” Trixie demanded. “I bet you I can dance better than you!”

“Huh!?” Fancy Dance’s eyes widened in shock as a stunned gasp emanated from the rest of the youthful audience. Even the music came to an abrupt, screeching end as the DJ turned to watch the confrontation with a stunned gaze. “You’ve got to be kidding me!”

“I don’t hear a yes.” Trixie smirked. “Or are you too scared to find out how much better I am?”

“Not a chance! Bring it on!” Fancy Dance growled and stepped back into the center of the dance floor as his horn began to glow with a bright, silvery light.

The music kicked on again an instant later, and he began to dance, a graceful, yet powerful dance across the stage. His horn weaved through the air, tracing a graceful silver line across the stage. The oooh’s and aaah’s of the surrounding foals were coming from all around Trixie as every pair of eyes in the building watched the colt move across the stage. Several minutes later the song was coming to a big dramatic ending just as the colt’s horn began to flash, the line he’d been tracing glowing even brighter all at once, revealing the words ‘For The Love Of Music’ spelled out across the air as he struck a final dramatic pose.

The stamping of hoof-to-ground echoed across the entire building as filly and adult alike showed their appreciation for the performance. Several hoots and hollars echoed across the dance floor as Fancy Dance left the stage to march right up to Trixie’s face.

“Try not to humiliate yourself, little filly.” He warned her with a grin.

“Try not to cry when I’m better than you, silly colt.” Trixie moved to stand alone out in the middle of the dance floor, turning to see all eyes focused on her. For just a fraction of a moment, Trixie was unsure. That was so many eyes watching her, judging her…

“You can do it Trixie! We believe in you!” Star Dancer exclaimed from her table.

Trixie smiled to herself. Yes, of course she could do this.

She gave the DJ a slow nod as her horn began to glow with its typical crimson light. The light engulfed the table cloth in front of her two friends and pulled it away from them, flinging it through the air to Trixie herself, where it wrapped around her neck and flare outward like a flowing cape just as the music picked up in a hard pounding beat. With a grin and a flourish of her cape, Trixie set herself spinning, letting her cape flow behind every movement she made as if she was moving through water.

She wasn’t the most coordinated or agile filly in the world, but what she did have was Celestia’s teachings about how to use her horn to manipulate the world. So she used it now, to move her limbs in quick, sweeping manners, moving herself across the stage with an almost unnatural fluidity. A nudge here, a flip there, and her body was moving to the rhythm of the music back and forth across the stage no matter how fast the tempo got. There were several gasps from the crowd during some of her more inspired moves, which only made her grin to herself.

At last Trixie flung herself through the air and slammed into the ground at the edge of the stage just as the music came to a final crescendo, her tablecloth-cape flaring up around her shoulders into the air with just a slight nudge of her formidable magic. The silence was only momentary before the crowd burst into a second round of appreciative stomping, the roars deafening but oh-so-delightful to her perky ears.

“Trixie! Oh my gosh that was so totally amazing!” Star Dancer exclaimed as she and her sister skidded right up in front of her. “I had no idea you could dance like that!”

“I guess I’m just talented that way.” Trixie grinned, shooting a glare over her friend’s shoulder to see Fancy Dance bowing his head in embarrassment and turning to leave as the other ponies crowded around to congratulate her.

Ah, crisis averted. She was loved once again…

Author's Note

That's it. That's all there is and all there will be. However, you writers feel free to continue the story if you'd like, if you are so inclined, and please do post links to your continuations in the comments below. I am very interested in seeing what you all come up with. Thank you all for your time, and I hope you enjoyed this snippet.