When Two Fly As One

Chapters

Act 1, Scene 1
Act 1, Scene 2
Act 1, Scene 3
Act 1, Scene 4
Act 1, Scene 5
Act 1, Scene 6
Act 1, Scene 7
Act 1, Scene 8

Act 1, Scene 1

Unicorns and Pegasi did not spend too much time together these days. Although earth ponies, unicorns and pegasi had been living in harmony for as long as even Celestia could remember, the two races had lived separate lives, each fulfilling their time-consuming duties all throughout Equestria.

On the one hoof, there was Canterlot’s elite, whether noble or savvy business ponies who tended to associate only amongst themselves, or the more humble unicorns who were typically too busy studying the art of magic to make time for friends and relationships and married only out of family obligation.

On the other hoof the majority of pegasi grew up to manage and monitor the weather. Weather was so crucial to balancing life in Equestria that only few pegasi squandered their feathery gifts to explore other opportunities. If a pony had wings, they were expected to pitch in and make sure the land got the rain it needed, or blanket the countryside with snow when the days seemed fit.

By the sheer nature of their duties and lifestyles, unicorns and pegasi often found the greatest challenge in working out a social life, let alone fit in each other into their schedules. Whenever this topic emerged, many perspectives were tossed around:

“Unicorns and pegasi can form strong friendships! I don’t know and pegasi myself, but I’m sure they are nice ponies to be around. Maybe I can find a spell to show me-”

“A pegasus knows his job, and shouldn’t ask for more. I respect unicorns and everything they do for Equestria, but I think there is nothing wrong with pegasi sticking together. What’s worked before works again, right?”

“Mercy me, I don’t think I could ever be – friends – with a common-hoof. No offense to the company present, of course.”

“That’s fine with me. I’m too busy making sure Canterlot isn’t buried in a whiteout every winter. Your wing-making magic doesn’t quite do the job a Pegasus is required for.”

The arguments had changed little over the centuries. The few couples between the two races would raise eyebrows here and there. Ponies would dig their hoof into the ground with heads lowered as they felt it necessary to explain their relationship to their parents. Surprisingly, earth ponies had enjoyed the privilege of associating with both sides since Equestria was founded. They had climbed up the social ladders of the elite and worked their way into the hearts of those ponies who would soar above them. However, since taking sides usually lost them their friendships, they tend to stay out of the endless debate.

In modern times, the subject was less fierce. While older ponies still quietly stuck to their stance, the younger generation was quieter about their ideas on the matter. Unicorns in Canterlot found it easier to avoid or outright ignore pegasi as they passed by. Pegasi, being more work-oriented, kept to the task at hoof. As they said, the only pony who worked harder than a pegasus is a down-to-earth earth pony.

Even in Ponyville - the famous melting pot of pony towns - one would not have found find too many mixed couples. The only true evidence of possible change in this trend would have been the Cakes, whose mixed ancestry had blessed them with a unique pair of the most popular foals in town. Although, they did not talk about it too much – not everypony was comfortable discussing something which had not been truly culturally accepted. Some also pondered whether the Cakes were even aware of the significance of their foals having been the first pair of siblings of different races.

The uneasiness had been considered a great irony of the harmony and magic of friendship in Equestria for ages. Unbeknownst to Ponyville, the greatest surprise was yet to come, for there was one pony who had never been exposed to the controversy, its history, or its sheer magnitude.

This town’s one weather-pegasus, a light blue pony with a mane of many colors, flew over the clouds and spun them to her will as she pondered what she would say to the one unicorn whom she felt may have been her special somepony. There hadn’t been any talk of who could or could not be friends in flight school. Her time spent in Ponyville had never engaged her in anything philosophical or controversial either. After all, it hadn’t been until recently that she had considered ‘big thinking’ only for eggheads.

She definitely wasn’t too busy for a social life, either – everypony knew how fast she could finish her daily work tasks. Her role as an Element of Harmony had brought her even closer to unicorns, two in particular, which had brought her to the opinion that such daily interaction with unicorns was normal for anypony. Upon retrospect, one might have concluded that this once-in-a-lifetime concoction of circumstances may have been responsible for what could be considered one of the most heartfelt relationships ever to grow in this humble town.

Rainbow Dash, showing off her namesake, whipped through the air to dissipate the stratus clouds. Once she freed up some work space, she pulled on all sides of a cumulus until she formed a more spherical shape.

It needs a horn, Rainbow thought to herself. Banking around to the underside, she flew through the cloud and out the top, achieving the desired effect. Next, she bucked chunks of cloud out to shape a few spaces. “Eyes and mouth… check!”

She designated extra cumulus to add details. She dragged a trail of stratocumulus once spreading under her and styled it on top of her masterpiece. “And the mane completes it!”

“Sweet! Now the hard part.” She molded a stratocumulus into a makeshift rope to lasso her piece of art and fly it to its intended spot. She pulled her sculpture very carefully to the destination, brushing her mane out of her eyes so she could see where she was going. One bump into a stray cloud and this would all have been for nothing. She broke a few sweats, but for that special somepony she would have made one of these in every city.

* * *

Twilight Sparkle had a few days off. Her five checklists were run through and complete, Spike was napping downstairs, her magic study assignments had all been finished the week before, and she had read the latest ‘Daring Do and the Missing Merchant’ ahead of time. With a basic levitation spell, she put the novel onto a new shelf she had added to her room, labeled as ‘outbox’ for any books she thought – or in this case knew – Rainbow Dash would request to read.

However, having two days off felt strange to her, strange enough that she started pacing around the room with unease. She barely finished a single lap when she started hearing shouting from outside the library. “What is that?” she said to herself. “It sounds like somepony’s calling my name, but who would-”

Spike ambled into the room with a yawn briefly stuck in his throat. “Sheesh, what’s all the commotion, Twilight? Even a dragon needs his beauty sleep.”

Twilight laughed. “Beauty sleep? You’ve been spending too much time with Rarity, haven’t you?” She turned to the window to peer out and caught a glimpse of rainbow mane. “Oh, it’s just Rainbow Dash. Figures. My other friends knock. Spike, take this down: Remind me to lecture her.”

“I don’t mind, but can I do it later? I just want her to stop so I can doze off.” Yawning continued to interrupt his speech. “Don’t try to wake me. And I don’t want to see a quill, let alone TOUCH one, for at least two days got it?”

“Go ahead and get some rest, Spike. I got this.” Twilight took a step back. After a little concentration, she worked her teleportation magic and appeared in front of the library’s main doors. “Rainbow! How am I supposed to figure out how to plan my next two days off with all your yelling?!”

Rainbow Dash flew three somersaults in excitement. “Hey, Twily! What took you so long? If it were me, I would’ve been outside in-”

“Yes, Rainbow,” Twilight said, rolling her eyes, “I know how fast you are. But still, why are you-” She looked up as she was speaking, then stopped mid-sentence as she saw the cloud her pegasus friend worked on all morning. Her eyes widened in shock, awe, and a little confusion. “Is that … me?!”

“Yep! I finished my work in town early to finish this baby! I only sculpted your head though,” she added, scratching her head in nervousness. “To be honest, it was the first time I did anything this detailed. Pretty cool, huh?”

Twilight blinked, still in surprise. “Oh, wow. It’s like looking into a mirror. At least, a mirror that turns ponies into clouds, I guess.”

“Sweet! I knew my favorite egghead would go for something like this. So you’re not… doing anything tomorrow, are you? I thought we could,” she stumbled her words in hesitation, “you know, hang out. ‘Spending time together,’ if you want egghead-talk.”

“I actually just cleared up tomorrow! We could make this work.” Twilight used her horn to conjure a scroll and quill in excitement. “Let me just make a list for what we can do. With the right planning, I bet we can-”

“No! I’m taking care of all the planning and all the boring stuff.”

“Boring?” Twilight zapped her planning supplies back into the library.

“Well, yeah. Not to be mean or anything. We just don’t hang out very often.” Dash threw on her bravado, flexing and zipping to and fro. “You worry too much; you don’t want to end up with a grey mane!”

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Okay then, should I invite the others?”

Rainbow’s anxiety started to get the better of her. “NO! Sorry, I’m just jumpy today. Lots of sugar – yeah, from Pinkie’s treats! I was actually planning out a day just for the two of us.” Her voice became hushed. “You’re so busy all the time. I just wanted to show you some of the exciting stuff that I get to see. Look, spells can’t show you everything. I can show you awesome things your magic could never bring to your library!”

Twilight couldn’t help but start laughing. “What’s this all the sudden? Where's the too-cool-for-school Rainbow Dash?” She motioned for Rainbow Dash to land, who complied and slowly floated to the ground. She then trotted up to her, causing Dash to lean back from their sudden proximity. “In that case, you write your plan out for us. Be sure to make use of the whole day. No pressure! You sure you’ll have your work done in time for us to have the whole day?”

Rainbow’s confidence visibly soared, nodding upward with her chest puffed out. “Don’t worry yourself, Twily – I’ll have it done in-“

“Yes, yes, I got you the first time,” she managed to say in spite of giggling up again. “Meet me here in the morning, okay?” Twilight began to trot back into her house. Thinking she could no longer be heard, she asked herself one loose end of confusion from that conversation. “Twily?”

Rainbow waited until the door was shut before she flew in the air to blow off some steam, but mostly she blushed. “Stupid, stupid Rainbow Dash,” she called out into the air resistance, which replied by muffling her. “Why’d you call her ‘Twily?’ Ungh, she probably thinks I’m an idiot now.”

Both ponies went about their business in preparation for the next day. A unicorn looked forward to the excitement and wonder the next day would bring and a pegasus looked forward to the magic they might share.

Act 1, Scene 2

Rainbow Dash tossed the clouds aside, revealing the sun’s position. “It’s not even noon yet! How am I gonna burn all this time before tomorrow?”

“How about a race?” A young mare with a grey coat and white mane flew into view. Two other colts flew up beside her, whom Rainbow immediately recognized as her reformed tormentors from the Young Flier’s Competition. Settling on a cloud, the pony kicked up some of the fluff with a smirk. “I’ve been training ever since we helped get that water up to Cloudsdale. So how about it?”

The brutish pegasus with the barbell cutie mark chimed in. “I’m gonna race too! B-but no sonic rainbooms allowed. That’s way too fast!”

“SHE’S the pony who pulled off a rainboom? Now we definitely have to race! First one to Canterlot wins? Loser buys lunch.”

“Don’t worry, Cloudchaser. Rainbow Dash NEVER turns down a race. Don’tcha, Dash?”

Rainbow turned away from the three, shoulders sagging. “No, thanks.”

The three pegasi watched Rainbow in awe as if she had performed the sonic rainboom for the first time. “Why not?” Cloudchaser demanded as she stomped on the cloud in vain.

“Go kick a cumulus around or something. I’m not in the mood.” In a huff, she dropped down to a cloud of her own.

“Don’t think you can shoo us away that easy!” Cloudchaser flew up to Rainbow Dash and kicked her resting spot into another formation. “Where’s all that chest-puffing and tough talk from before when you whipped us up into getting that tornado off the ground?”

“I bet she’s getting soft. She probably doesn’t even practice anymore. Is it possible the best Young Flier already retired her need for speed?”

Rainbow Dash tore herself out of the collision. “You guys got a problem with privacy? I could fly circles around you.” She dashed up to Cloudchaser’s friends and looked them both in the eye. “I’ve learned and forgotten more tricks than you two have even tried combined!”

“So you have no problem proving all this then,” the sly challenger goaded.

“I said I’m not in the mood to race. Maybe after I see my date-“

“Wait. YOU have a date? Who’s cool enough for your sky-high standards?” This development excited Cloudchaser even more.

Dash’s attitude turned around. Wings spread, her chest puffed, and confidence brought her smile back. “I asked out only the coolest pony in all of Ponyville!”

“Is it Thunderlane? Skybreak? Or did you ring in that beefcake with the earring from your coaching sessions?”

“Sorry, Cloudchaser, you’ll have to guess cooler than that. I’m going to spend a whole day with the coolest, smartest, most undeniably awesome unicorn ever! Twilight Sparkle’s her name, and you better remember it. She’s technically not my special somepony yet, but I’m sure after a couple of swoops and dashes she’ll want me as her one-and-only!”

Cloudchaser’s surprise was visible. “Wasn’t she that nerd who stuck her muzzle into pegasus business with her weird contraptions?”

“Have a problem with that? Something wrong with asking her out?” Every muscle tensed in her body, and each feather on her spread wings stood on end. “I don’t need anypony telling me who I can or can’t like! What do you want, seeing me with some other pony with their head in the clouds?”

“Don’t mind me, Rainbow Dash,” Cloudchaser struggled to say while holding back her laughter, “I didn’t think the ‘Miss Must-be-cool’ would let anything – or anypony – keep her grounded.” She caught some lift under her wings and beckoned her two friends to follow. “Personally, Dash, I don’t see how cool you can be for your little marefriend if you can’t even keep your talents up to speed.”

Rainbow Dash continued to shout as they vanished from view. “Oh yeah? I WILL be cool enough for Twilight. Just you see!”

She couldn’t see them anymore. Finally relaxed, her legs caved in and gave way to the comfort of her makeshift bed. She allowed herself a single sigh of self-pity as she reflected on the hole she dug herself in. Turning over to look around, she could still see the library which housed her thoughts and dreams.

I WILL be the pony she’d want to be with. A pony she’d love to know. Her mind raced in circles. She replayed her conversation with Twilight over and over, recalling every tremble - each time she felt her knees shaking - and the lip-biting she hoped her unicorn friend didn’t notice. Why am I so nervous? The pegasus had won the Young Flier’s Competition, won almost every race she ever entered, had more tricks in her inventory than the Wonderbolts had ever performed at any show, and helped Twilight save Equestria twice.

She began to dwell on this detail more. I helped Twilight. I’ve always said that, when I should be saying I helped my friends. I helped HER save the day, I helped HER save the wedding, and I impressed HER with the rainboom. This brought her back to something that shocked her out of her daydream. Her yelp tore the silence in half, and she almost lost her balance in spite of already laying on her side.

This wasn’t the first time thinking of her jerked Dash back to a fateful encounter with Twilight, something her heart wouldn’t let her forget. It was those bothersome pegasi that brought it up. It will always come up as long as I like her.

Recuperating, she pulled herself together and sat upright, never tearing her sights away from Twilight Sparkle’s home. She saw the unicorn trotting around, practicing magic like she always did. Rainbow Dash turned herself over and closed her eyes in the hope sleep would overtake her exhausted state. “I hope I can tell you everything soon, Twi,” she mumbled under a sigh. “Better yet, here’s hoping you can forgive me.”

She dreamed of her tomorrow. She dreamed of her Sparkle, and the glint of hope it brought. No more cool. No more showing off. Not until everything is finally off my chest.

Act 1, Scene 3

Twilight closed her eyes, putting aside her thoughts on her friend’s sudden proposal to go out for a day. The task proved difficult; it was the reason she was trying so hard to attempt this spell. It was easy to tune out the distractions of the glaring sunlight and Spike’s snoring. Her horn filled the room with a dim lavender glow. Loose reports and quills in her room rustled as if brushed by wind. Standing in front of an old book held in place by her magic, a book she did not dare attempt to read again until now, she concentrated on the old words inscribed within:

Though the mind, like the moon, waxes and wanes,

Everypony knows the heart ne’er forgets;

Through the trials of time your will be made,

Then magic will take away lost regrets.

Twilight’s power consumed the sound and colors of the room. She clenched her jaws and locked her knees in place, bracing herself against the feedback that tried to push her over. Just when she felt like she would pass out, she saw a growing image through her closed eyes. This is it! It’s working!

There was the sky. She could feel the clouds brushing up against her. Her legs flailed beneath her, and she smelled the dense humidity in the air. As soon as her senses sunk in, she frantically looked around to figure out what was happening. Was she flying? She’s only known the wings spell for a short time. Who was carrying her? Twilight poured more magic into heightening the memory. Everything grew brighter, louder, and more sensitive to the touch. She felt the coat of the pony carrying her, whose warmth overpowered the cold winds she flew against. Then everything blacked out.

“Twilight, are you okay?” Spike poked her until she stumbled back onto her hooves. “I was trying to sleep and then, wham! I heard a loud crash in the library.”

Twilight looked around. The blinding sunlight distracting her earlier was all but gone. Whatever she did to keep the spell going turned the whole library upside-down, flipping furniture over and ripping books off the shelves, with her at the center of the aftermath. Wasn’t I in my room, she thought.

Turning back to Spike, she shook her head. “I’m fine. I just wish this spell would work.” Twilight levitated the book so Spike could see. “I got this book because it’s the only published work Canterlot has on memory magic. I think it’s an incomplete text though – it only tells me how to start a basic version of the spell. Whenever I give it more umph, it umphs me back!”

Spike’s eyes widened in recognition of the cover. Shaking his head, he snatched it and threw it onto the stack of books he was organizing. “I dunno, Twilight. Maybe it’s the ONLY version of the spell. I know if it were me I wouldn’t spend my time off worrying about it like you do.”

“Celestia told me I shouldn’t worry about this either. She was with me through whole ordeal. Doesn’t she know how hard it was for me? All I have to do is get it to work once, and I won’t need it anymore.”

He dropped the books he was about to put back on the shelf. Twilight stood in amazement as she watched her little helper march up to her and stand on his tiptoes, meeting her eye-to-eye. “I, for one, expect you to know better than to start all this again.” Spike then surprised her by hugging her front leg. He kept his eyes on hers, letting her see the depth of his concern. “Twi, you told me you’d drop all of this memory magic business. There has to be a better way to get to the bottom of this than hurting yourself!”

Spike did what he always did, and it was exactly what Twilight feared he would do: tell the truth. Arguing with him posed a reminder of the unlikely wisdom which blossomed forth at the most inconvenient of times. Was this moment just like when she doubted herself, and Spike was there telling her otherwise? Was it the same when she took her assignments too seriously, at the cost of others? Everything seemed so trivial whenever she remembered those clouds caressing her suspended form.

Twilight gently nodded towards her friend and reassured him with a smile. As soon as he let go, she started towards the front door. “I’m sorry, Spike. The only reason I can offer why I’m back on this is all the free time I have. Can you even remember how long it’s been since I haven’t had anything planned?”

Spike put the last book on the shelf. “You’ve had days off in the past. What’s so different this time?”

“I think I have an idea, Spike. I’m going to get a breath of fresh air.” With little effort, she conjured the controversial spellbook to her side as she opened the door. “Don’t worry; I’m not going to attempt any more magic tonight.”

“You should’ve left that book back in the Canterlot library,” Spike mumbled as he climbed the stairs.

Twilight’s hoofsteps were soft in the grass. She let the book fall to the ground and took pleasure in hearing its muffled thud. There was no question of why she was interested in the problems she let sit on the bookshelf for so long. Lying down, she looked at the stars and thought about what Rainbow Dash had blurted out earlier. Spells can’t show you everything. Her breaths were short and her heart pounded since that conversation. She fought against the anxiety of both craving and dreading seeing Rainbow Dash the next day. It was just like when she first came to Ponyville, when her first adventure in friendship made her think differently. However, tonight she felt different. She was no longer lying down; she was lying down alone.

The wind started picking up. Rainbow Dash must have set up a cool night. It swept her back to the elusive image hiding in her mind. Giving in, she pictured herself back in the sky, held tightly by somepony. She imagined looking down and saw the arms holding her. In her mind, they were a bright blue. Twilight snapped her eyes open and caught her breath. Was it her imagination that put Rainbow Dash there? Celestia once warned her wishful thinking could obscure memory.

Putting the thought out of her mind, Twilight resurfaced from her daydreaming and looked down both ways from her nook in town. Streetlights were tended to by a few unicorns and earth ponies. She waved to the owner of the quill-and-sofa shop as he closed for the night. Other than the unusually well-lit stage down the street, nothing unusual was going on. This jerked her into a different mindset altogether. She remembered what Ponyville endured the last time somepony performed stage magic in town.

“I’m only going to check this out of sheer curiosity,” she said to herself. In a brilliant flash, Twilight teleported herself to the back of a group of ponies gathered in front of a very familiar stage, a crowd which was watching a very familiar braggart of a unicorn. She bit her lip in apprehension. Though most of the ponies around her looked skeptical or indifferent, all it would take is one zealous fan for things to get out of hoof.

“For her next trick, The Great and Powerful Trixie will need a volunteer from her audience!” Her eyes pierced through the crowd of ponies until they locked with Twilight’s. Twilight lowered her head to blend in, but it was too late. “Twilight Sparkle! Would you kindly make your way to the front, and help Trixie perform a feat for these ponies to witness?”

A blue light engulfed her. She was on the stage. Excessive lighting and fireworks going off on either side made seeing difficult. After the fanfare, Twilight singled out in front of her the one pony bent on drawing as much attention to herself as possible. Standing before her was the one pony she was certain she’d never see again. She often thought Trixie could have blamed the consequences of Snips and Snail’s actions entirely on her, which was something she didn’t want to deal with at this hour. “Trixie? You’re performing at this hour? In Ponyville?”

“Trixie felt the majestic allure of night would shroud her spectacular showmanship with the air of mystery it deserves!” The mare lowered her horn to make a rose appear and offered it to her volunteer. “Tonight seems to be my lucky night, with you here to help me make this performance possible. I won’t suffer rejection from you this time!” She said with a sickly sweet smile.

“Doesn’t seem like you’re giving me a choice,” Twilight uttered as she paced around the stage. This was exactly what Twilight didn’t need. Yet here she was, facing off with another problem from the past. “I don’t suppose you mind telling me what you’re doing back here?”

“Did Trixie not make herself clear? The greatest performer of magic in all Equestria desires your assistance.” Trixie’s magic carefully nestled the rose behind Twilight’s ear. “And if it pleases me, you may be lucky enough to spend some quality time with somepony who is most eager to catch up with you.”

Twilight did not like the implicit tone in Trixie’s voice, nor did she appreciate such a conversation being staged in front of a whole audience. But worst of all, she definitely did not like how the caped performer playfully brushed up alongside her, pushing her to center stage.

Act 1, Scene 4

Similarities with their first encounter resonated through the circumstances. Trixie once again shoved Twilight into the spotlight in front of ponies anxiously waiting for any kind of reaction. She struggled to peer through Trixie’s showmanship at her ulterior motives. Last time, Trixie’s challenge served only to bolster her performance for her audience. She was the kind of pony who wouldn’t face off if she had to, and was more than willing to bluff her way out of a tough crowd. But as Twilight watched Trixie pace around her, never breaking eye contact, the way she so carefully placed the rose in her mane with her magic, Twilight realized Trixie wasn’t trying to impress the audience. She suppressed a shudder.

“Look before you, faithful witnesses of Trixie! It would seem her lucky new assistant is speechless at Trixie’s great and powerful proposition! I assure all of you that she is the only unicorn in all of Ponyville who can aid me in creating the most powerful illusions in all of Equestria!” The showmare set a rising mist around them and changing the colors of the stage lights do a deep blue. Standing on her hind legs with hooves in the air, she used her horn once more to turn off all but the one spotlight on Twilight. All of her energy she seemed to pour into this one moment, and she showed no signs of slowing down.

Twilight, who cringed at the thought of being the object of her captor’s obsessions, watched Trixie set to work. Why was the crowd ecstatic? Twilight couldn’t believe they were eating this up, especially after what happened last time. She felt their fanfare and Trixie’s attention lock her in place. Would Trixie just teleport her back onto the stage again if she tried to escape? It was just as difficult to dismiss how her discomfort seemed to fascinate the ponies watching her. She couldn’t help but wonder where this newfound confidence came from and why Trixie insisted on sharing her personal space on stage.

Right now Twilight just wanted to go home and get ready for her big day. If she could just hop off that platform and trot to her house down the street, she’d be one step closer to Rainbow Dash. All she needed to was to draw Trixie’s attention away from herself. The audience’s hoof-stomping and callouts gave her time to think of an escape plan. As soon as the applause died down, she cleared her throat and turned to the audience. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to have a chat with our most esteemed magician.”

Trixie took a step back. “By all means, share with all of us what you feel the Great and Powerful Trixie should hear. I’m sure you don’t mind talking to Trixie with a few bystanders around?” The magician gave her eyes to Twilight and her smile to the audience. “Trixie’s offer is quite tempting, isn’t it?”

“I don’t see what’s so tempting.” Twilight casually trotted up and down the front of the stage as she spoke. The audience was so quiet she could hear her own hoofsteps. This is a good thing, she thought to herself. A silent audience was as good as no audience. Her plan would work as long as she didn’t crack under the pressure. “What do you need me for, anyway? You’re great. You’re powerful. I see you’ve even learned a new trick or two.”

“Only after being moved by our last magical encounter, my dear.” Trixie flipped her cape around for dramatic effect and used a trick to envelop the stage in darkness. A single light emanated from her horn, putting her at the center of the drama once again. “After that regretful misunderstanding with the Ursa Minor incident, Trixie could think of nothing but running. Outmatched, out-hooved, and alone! Trixie lost faith in her talents -- her destiny.”

“Your destiny?” Twilight egged her on. “I’m not sure you’ve told anypony about that.” It was working better than she hoped. She slipped through the darkness towards the side of the stage while Trixie dramatized her story for the audience with showy gestures.

“Why, all of us have a destiny, Twilight Sparkle.” Trixie whirled her cape and turned her back to the audience. She disappeared in a cloud of blue smoke, only to reemerge at the center of the stage to the shocked but enthralled gasps of the audience. “But once in a lifetime somepony great and powerful rises from the smoke to manifest a future far more spectacular than the fate of a simple pony!” The crowd rewarded her with another round of applause.

Twilight stood a jump’s distance from the curtain. She kept her eye on Trixie, who continued to captivate the audience with her tale. She took a quick look around to make sure the no other pony was paying attention to her as well. When looked again, Trixie was gone. Blue smoke crept up from under Twilight’s hooves, followed by the appearance self-absorbed performer in front of her.

“What would hold Trixie back from the glory awaiting her down the path of magic mastery? The Great and Powerful Trixie knew only after facing a true monster that there was more to magic than the flare and beauty that came so easily to me...” Trixie was on the corner of the stage with her back to Twilight, reaching out with both hooves to the rest of the ponies.

Twilight sighed in relief. Trixie didn’t even notice her loud yelp at the sudden teleportation. Though the magician still stood in her way, she found another chance in the back of the stage. The crowd grew loud enough for her to dart to the center curtains and jump through. The caress of the curtains against her coat made her long for the comfort of her bed. Twilight smiled victoriously. She escaped Trixie’s entanglement; she’d be safe in her home and get some much-need rest for the big day ahead of her. She waited a few seconds to see if anypony saw her disappear. When she heard Trixie’s muffled voice go on uninterrupted, she rushed forward. Straight into a Pony.

“Eh, excuse me.” Twilight regained her footing. The pony she ran into was a white unicorn colt with a black mane whom she didn’t recognize. She shifted to the side, but the pony moved with her, blocking her way.

“I was told to stay back and watch out for any lavender unicorns trying to sneak out. Sorry miss, Trixie’s orders.” His speech was polite, but he lowered his head and his horn glowed in preparation for a spell.

“What does she want with me? Just let me go home already!” Twilight winced as a bright flash enveloped her once again, forcing her back into Trixie’s trap. The showmare stopped mid-sentence, cut on the lights with a spell and trotted towards her. Twilight backed away until her back hoof missed the ledge, only to be caught and pushed back up by a handful of onlookers. She thought of teleporting, but managing a spell under the stress was hard, especially around two other unicorns pouring their efforts into keeping her in place.

She could no longer hear herself think. She saw Trixie point to her and shout something, but her heartbeat drowned out everything. Overcome by the pressure, Twilight’s mind went completely blank. With her head cocked back towards the sky, she screamed one name. She had no idea where the pegasus was or what she was doing; she could’ve been racing around Cloudsdale for all she knew. But deep down, she knew Rainbow Dash was the only pony who could free her.

Act 1, Scene 5

Rainbow Dash awoke from her nap on the small cumulus drifting slowly over Twilight’s house, stretching her hind legs one at a time while letting out a loud yawn. She smiled to herself proudly; her plan of napping the day away worked in bringing her closer to tomorrow. She fixed her ruffled mane and flapped her wings to fix the discomfort from her furled feathers while trying to figure out how long she slept. It was still the middle of the night, and she knew how hard it would be to go back to sleep again.

“Ugh, I bet Twilight’s sleeping like a filly. May as well fly it off.” Still worked up from her earlier, she rose slowly off her makeshift bed and took to the sky. She wanted to fly off a lot more than just excess energy. She needed to get her mind off tomorrow, because thinking about her date made her think about Twilight. She couldn’t think about her without dwelling on all the apologies she owed Twilight and what she could have done differently. Rainbow Dash knew she couldn’t simply take back what she said, and even if she could it would take away everything they could have. Tomorrow had to be perfect, not just for herself but for Twilight too.

It took everything Rainbow Dash had to not let one bad memory ruin all the good ones. She wondered if Twilight ever felt the same way and hesitated to trade all they shared for peace of mind. Nothing Rainbow Dash has tried jogged Twilight’s memory of the time they spent together before. If anything, all her tricks and attempts to impress probably did more to hurt her chances with Twilight than make up for lost time. She was at a loss for what to do, having done everything short of confessing it all to Twilight. It seemed to be the easiest way, but the opportunity never presented itself.

She flew just above the patches of the small and puffy altocumulus, kicking them apart angrily as she coasted by. Rainbow Dash never learned their name in flight school, having always fell asleep whenever teachers brought it up. She supposed she didn’t need it after landing her first job in Canterlot. She would have managed just fine without knowing the lame science behind her work, if it weren’t for a magic student she met while on the job. The unicorn would sit out in front of her school whenever she wasn’t studying to watch Rainbow Dash work, and after a few of these visits with some smalltalk here and there, Twilight’s cute nagging voice finally won Rainbow Dash over.

“Wow Dashie, those clouds you made are so pretty! Are those altocumulus?”

“I dunno. The name’s too long to worry over. I just need to know how to shape them!”

“But didn’t your teachers ever give you books to read? Studying helps you do your job better!”

“I don’t need eggheads telling me what they’re called or what they do. As long as I do it right, that’s all that matters.”

“You... think I’m an egghead?”

“Sheesh, you always get puffy-eyed when you want me to do something.”

“Sorry, I don’t mean to. I just want to see you do your best! Aren’t you the one who said ‘best is coolest?’”

“Fine. I guess I’ll learn a FEW of them, as long as it isn’t boring. Just don’t get your hopes up, okay? I dropped out of flight school for a reason, ya know.”

Rainbow Dash thought of the old exchange often. She owed a lot of her tricks to learning more about the different clouds, including the cloud sculpture she made for Twilight when she popped the big question. She remembered how hard it was to say “no” to that smile of hers, and how often she willingly adjusted her definition of “cool” to please the unicorn. Even with nopony looking, she held back tears as she ripped apart the clouds she flew through. Would good memories always hurt this much, enough to make her destroy the clouds she spent so much time shaping?

Rainbow Dash soared through sheets of white. The rush of cold air helped her zone in on what made her so scatterbrained. She didn’t want to mess up her big chance like one of her poorly thought-out tricks. Just like the young flier’s competition, she needed to come up with a plan of action and stick to it. Go to the right places, make the right moves, and say the right words. It was like the first time she performed a sonic rainboom, having earned Twilight’s affections without even realizing it. “Only this time,” she thought, “I won’t think I’m stuck with bronze when I’ve taken gold!”

A heart-stopping scream jarred Rainbow Dash from her renewed focus. The hairs on Rainbow Dash’s coat stood on end when she recognized the her friend’s desperate voice.

“Twilight!” She cried as she raced at top speed in the direction of Twilight’s voice. She dove towards what appeared to be the stage Trixie brought with her to Ponyville some time ago. She bit her lip and her blood boiled. She couldn’t tell if it was the wind resistance or her anger that blinded her.

Rainbow Dash came to an abrupt halt and slammed into the stage between Twilight and her self-proclaimed rival. She spread her wings out to full span and glared as she rose up to face off against Trixie. She remembered how much she disliked Trixie the first time they met, and it made things worse to think that Twilight actually let her go. Even if Rainbow Dash could hold back her anger, she was better off showing Trixie’s who’s boss before bailing Twilight out.

Trixie winced at Rainbow Dash’s sudden loud landing, opening her eyes to see the pegasus blocking her view from Twilight. She chortled at the new development. “My my, aren’t you the talentless ruffian whom The Great and Powerful Trixie cut down upstage with beginner’s magic? Be warned if you plan on showing off your amateur’s catalogue of tricks, dear. The audience had already been impatient with your uncooperative friend.”

Rainbow Dash stepped closer.

Still glowing in confidence, Trixie gestured with her hoof towards the audience. “Trixie sees you’ve moved on from showing off rainbows to crashing performances. There’s no fee to watch if you’d like to –”

“What are you doing to Twilight?!” Rainbow Dash wasn’t going to let Trixie talk her way out of this. Seeing Twilight as a panicked wreck was all the evidence she needed to put Trixie in her place. She relaxed enough to lower her voice for Twilight, hoping it would help calm her down . “You alright Twi?”

“Please take me home, Rainbow.” Twilight’s voice cracked in fear. Seeing Twilight struggle to even speak, Rainbow Dash wanted to do anything and everything to make things better.

“So rude!” Trixie reviled the pegasus’ heroic displays. “Not only do you interrupt Trixie’s great and powerful performance, but you plan on snatching her only qualified volunteer from the show?”

Rainbow Dash turned to Twilight with a raised eyebrow. Twilight shook her head at Trixie’s justification. She whipped around back at Trixie in full force. “Listen here, you lame excuse for a unicorn! Twi and I are gonna split. You’re going to leave us alone, and you’re going to apologize to her before we go!”

Trixie glowered at Rainbow Dash. “Wrong! You owe The Great and Powerful Trixie an apology for ruining the moment.” The only thing more offensive to Rainbow Dash than Trixie’s tone was that smile she forced down her throat. Rainbow Dash was perplexed at how Trixie could innocently carry on like this.

“What moment? You have some nerve coming back here, wasting everypony’s time with your lame tricks!” She felt a tug at her wing. Not now, Twilight. Rainbow Dash couldn’t just leave Trixie to her own devices. Out of the corner of her eye though, she saw there was something more than pain in her friend’s expression. Twilight was afraid of something.

“Why, yes, Trixie needed to express her deepest admirations for the only unicorn in all Equestria to ever impress The Great and Powerful Trixie! The rose nestled behind her ear exemplifies the magnificence of the bond we could share.”

Rainbow Dash hadn’t even noticed that rose until now, but she liked the opportunity it presented to show Trixie she meant business. Without a word, she snatched the rose with her teeth, spit it to the ground and stomped on it. “Twilight doesn’t belong to you.”

“Ha! The Great and Powerful Trixie was not aware the talented Twilight Sparkle ‘belonged’ to somepony already.” Trixie leaned in towards Rainbow Dash and stroked the bottom of her chin with her hoof. Rainbow Dash held herself from shuddering. “Trixie hates to admit it, but at this very moment you can provide something for the audience that which even the Great and Powerful Trixie is at a loss for. What unicorn in all Ponyville, or even Equestria, has she met who could rival the magic Trixie could share?”

Rainbow Dash didn’t want to hold back letting Trixie have it. She assumed that Twilight’s special somepony would be a unicorn? The crowd’s enjoyment of what Trixie turned into cheap entertainment sickened her. Trixie toyed with the wrong friend, and now she was messing with the wrong pegasus. Twilight continued to pull at her. Whatever it was, it could wait until after Rainbow Dash ended this.

“I don’t care what stupid game you’re playing, Trixie. All you’ve been doing is preventing her from getting the sleep she needs for our date tomorrow. So back off, or I’ll make you back off!”

She didn’t expect to be met with such an eery silence. Rainbow Dash looked around her. Everypony watching gaped at her and Twilight. She shrugged off the looks, but saw Twilight quivering under their stares and breathing almost as fast as Rainbow could fly. Trixie froze, taken aback in horror. Rainbow Dash’s confusion flushed out all the anger that seemed to boil only moments ago.

“What? What did I say?”

Act 1, Scene 6

Trixie cleared her throat and spoke tentatively to Rainbow Dash. “You mean, the two of you are going on a double-date, right? Like, you with a pegasus and she with a unicorn?”

“Uh, no. Was I not clear? Twi-” Rainbow Dash stopped herself. She remembered Twilight was trying to get her attention when Trixie pressed for more answers. Twilight feared the two of them butting heads would lead to something; Rainbow Dash just had no clue know what that was. She couldn’t think of what she said to both insult Trixie and scare Twilight. It could be how she told Trixie to back off, but the onlookers wouldn’t be surprised watching Rainbow Dash act like she normally does. Rainbow Dash didn’t think she said anything offensive, and Trixie wasn’t a sensitive pony by any means. The only new thing she mentioned that wasn’t a reiteration of “leave Twilight alone” was their plans for tomorrow.

Rainbow Dash broke a sweat at the thought. Right. The date. Somehow during this whole mess she forgot to keep Twilight’s feelings in mind. Twilight must have wanted her to keep it secret, or at least on the down-low. She wasn’t too familiar with the subject of dating, but she was definitely sure nothing was appropriate about gawking and horrified responses to wanting to be with one’s special somepony.

She wanted to tell off Trixie and her audience so dearly. Rainbow Dash craved to give all of them a piece of her mind about what was going on, but speaking her mind caused enough damage as it was. Keeping Twilight’s feelings in mind and shifting gears seemed to be a better plan if she wanted to fix things.

“Can’t you just get a grip and leave Twilight alone?” Changing the subject wasn’t the best idea, but it was the first to come to mind.

Trixie scoffed at Rainbow Dash, leaned to her side and appealed to Twilight. “Please don’t tell Trixie this is true? What this ruffian, this mundane weather-pony, is telling her?”

Twilight raised to all fours and found some of her composure again to answer, though most of her efforts went into staying up. Her voice was broken, but not completely gone. “I didn’t want to say anything, but yes.”

Trixie continued to plead through a forced smile. “Now, now, just because everypony is watching doesn’t mean you have to answer right away! Take your time for Trixie.” Rainbow Dash heard the desperation in her voice. She’d never seen anypony so pathetic in her life as to scare somepony to death to get what she wanted, then beg for an explanation.

Twilight found the strength in her voice to and broke through Trixie’s persistence. “I don’t need time. All I need is to get off this stage and back in my house. The only pony who can make me happy is Rainbow Dash.” Twilight laid her hoof on Rainbow Dash’s shoulder.

Rainbow Dash blushed. She was worried Twilight would want to distance herself from her to downplay the accidental announcement. She made things worse by playing hero, she ignored Twilight’s plea and spoke before thinking at the cost of Twilight’s apparent desire for discretion. There was no excuse for her shortsightedness. She’s been forgiven by her friends before for her hard-headedness, but this felt so much more... personal. It was more than just forgiveness; Twilight defended Rainbow Dash’s behavior.

With her nose up in the air and lips pursed, Trixie snorted with contempt. Her zeal was gone along with her obnoxious smirk. “Hmph. Trixie’s patience is taxed by this turn of events, as unbelievable as it may seem. I suppose Trixie must call upon her stage-hoof to handle this. Cheap Trick!”

An excited gasp could be heard from behind the curtains. A white colt Rainbow Dash didn’t recognize stumbled onto the stage through the curtains with a dumb grin on his face. “Yes, Miss Trixie? Is it time for the finale already?”

Trixie’s cold stare wiped the smile off his face. “You see these two ponies?”

Trick didn’t even turn his head and nodded hurriedly.

Trixie held the back of her hoof against her forehead, turning away from Trick melodramatically. “The antics of these two ponies confound Trixie. Trixie is now too flustered to cast a even a simple spell to diffuse the sudden chaos before her.”

He took a look around the stage, narrowing his eyes at Twilight and Rainbow Dash, then looked back at Trixie with a tilted head. “Uh, what chaos? It’s just the four of us standing around.”

Unamused, Trixie snapped around and stared him down. “Did you not hear anything,” she growled, “while you were back there waiting for my signal?”

Trick swallowed hard and spoke cautiously. “Sorry Trixie! The curtains are rather... thick?”

Trixie threw a hoof around his shoulder, gripping him tightly and pointing accusingly at Rainbow. “The chaos rears its ugly head before you, simpleton! If you could only imagine what poison this brash cloud-hugger must have poured into poor Twilight’s ear that would dispel the wonders of magic to the eyes of one Twilight Sparkle!

Rainbow Dash scowled, scrounging for any patience left in her not to pounce Trixie and her horrible excuse for a goon. “Cloud-hugger?! Nopony insults me like that!”

Trixie waved her hoof to silence Rainbow Dash, then grumbled loudly into Trick’s ear. “Faithful stage-hoof, Trixie will spell it out for you.” She directed his attention to her free hoof, which she used to wildly exaggerate motions to assist in her explanation. “Trixie sees somepony who is ungrateful and reluctant to accept Trixie’s reasonable proposal. She is particularly weary of the especially aggravating pegasus getting in the way.”

Trick squinted from his ear ringing and processed the story. “You’re sure you’re not making a haystack out of a straw?”

Trixie squeezed him to get the message across. “Then pretend for a moment this is serious to you. Trixie is in no position to perform magic. So can you do this for Trixie, or shall she find someone to replace you?”

Undaunted by the abuse, Trick saluted. “You can count on me, milady!”

His loyalty put Rainbow Dash on her guard. It was a relief Trixie couldn’t cast any spells, but Rainbow Dash didn’t know what to make of what Trick was capable of. Although he showed no signs of discipline, balance or common sense, he could still pose a threat. A botched spell could do as much harm as a successful one. She needed to prepare herself for anything. Considering Trixie’s track record with fans, her hooves were crossed that he wouldn’t amount to much.

Rainbow Dash turned to Twilight. She was squinting in concentration and sparks flew from her horn, but she couldn’t get her a spell going. Rainbow hovered over and wrapped her hooves around Twilight, feeling her chest expand from gasping. “Don’t strain yourself,” she whispered into her ear. “If he tries anything I’ll fly us outta here so brace yourself, okay? And... I’m sorry about earlier.”

Twilight hesitated. She whispered something under her breath that sounded like a question, and soon after she relaxed and the glow disappeared from her horn. “It’s okay, Dash.”

“Ready when you are, Miss Trixie. What shall I do?” Trick pointed his horn, which now shone brightly, towards Rainbow Dash and Twilight. He smirked with the zeal that a colt or filly would have from discovering their cutie mark. Rainbow Dash saw the eagerness in his demeanor all too well. Willing to go to great lengths herself for Twilight, she knew to recognize a desperate-to-please pony when she saw one.

Whatever happens next, Rainbow Dash thought, it all comes down to my speed.

Trixie surveyed the action in front of her, snorting in contempt at the gallant display of readiness from Rainbow Dash. Whipping around to get in her face, Trixie scrutinized Rainbow Dash before slowly revealing a devilish grin.

“Why are you so foolhardy to test Trixie’s assistant?” Trixie paused as if expecting a response, but continued in spite of Rainbow Dash’s silence. “Your despondency almost puts Trixie in the mood to watch some magic put you in your place after all. But not quite. Just leave.”

“What? Do you mean-” Rainbow Dash failed to hide the surprise in her voice.

“Yes!” she sneered. “Just flap those little wings of yours and do whatever it is you pegasi do with your friends. Trixie only wishes to remind you that this scene of yours is merely prologue to unfinished business.”

Trixie then looked down to Twilight, who avoided making eye contact. “Oh, and Twilight? Trixie wishes you the best of luck in finding whatever it is you think makes you happy. Just bear in mind that when her wings fail you, magic won’t be far behind.”

The night’s stress already exhausted any desire in Rainbow Dash to ask what she meant, and she had enough of Trixie’s voice to last a lifetime. As much as she was sure Trixie enjoyed giving her and Twilight permission to leave, she didn’t waste the opportunity. As soon as she saw Trick’s horn revert to normal, she took off with Twilight safe in her hooves. Rainbow Dash and Twilight went from breaking sweat to breaking clouds, with each push from Rainbow Dash’s wings putting more distance between them and their anxieties.

Act 1, Scene 7

A confused unicorn spoke up from the audience. “So, are we, like, going to see any —”

“Show’s over!” Trixie turned her back turned to the onlookers. The crowd dispersed with indistinct grumbling and eyerolling. Cheap Trick was getting used to Trixie’s “performances” ending in disappointment.

“Splendid performance, Cheap Trick.” Trixie looked to Trick and spoke with unexpected cheer.

Trick grimaced at the tone of her voice, like hearing a chiding parent summon her child. “As happy as I am to accept a commendation from the Great and Powerful Trixie herself, I wasn’t aware I did anything.” He rolled his eyes up at his horn. He was sure he didn’t cast anything.

Trixie lit up with glee. “That is the beauty of it, my enthusiastic little assistant! I wanted you to do nothing, and you played your part quite handsomely.” She tapped her hoof, applauding him.

“I did?” His short reply was all he could offer. Trick was blushing, impressed by her ease in make him feel so special but foalish with the same words.

“All Trixie needed for you to do was sit there and look eager, like you’d tear the town apart if Trixie so much as nodded in your direction. Trixie imagines the two of them consider you to be quite the formidable magic user.”

“Are you implying I’m not?” Trick huffed.

“Do you really want Trixie to answer that? Just remember the Great and Powerful Trixie is not your assistant.” She flipped her tail in his face as she walked in front of him.

Trick twitched his nose, fending off both the urge to sneeze and to lash back from being insulted. “You can’t possibly expect to distract me after saying something like that.”

Her horn glowed briefly, and Trick heard the caravan’s main lever shift. “You may want to jump down with Trixie now.”

Both Trick and Trixie jumped off the stage. Wood creaked as the extended sides closed in. The stage folded up towards the center and rose to meet the edges of the side walls, rattling the inner workings and contents of the caravan. The lowering roof snapped into place and ended the mechanical cacophony. After months of travelling, Trick still found himself squirming through the whole process. Trixie stood by him unaffected.

“It’s almost as cranky as you are after a bad show,” he said with a chuckle.

“Don’t try Trixie’s patience. Trixie preferred the dumb oaf who wanted to follow Trixie to the ends of Equestria.” She leaned in close to Trick, batting her eyelashes. “Could she have him instead?”

“Believe me, the ‘dumb oaf’ would be more than happy to go back to how it was.” Trick idly examined the spokes of the wheels as he humored Trixie with their usual dialogue. He kicked a wheel lightly then stepped back, holding back a smile from imagining the caravan falling apart from his prodding. “This side-project of yours is not what I had in mind when I helped replace your caravan.”

“Trixie has plenty of energy left to teach ungrateful assistants a lesson in manners.” She marched up to the side door of the caravan and used magic to open it.

Unabashed, Trick followed closely behind. “Of course you do. You have plenty of energy after every time we don’t—”

Trixie snapped around with a scowl that twisted the delicate features she showed only moments ago. “Don’t. Finish. That. Sentence.”

Trick sighed playfully. “Alright, I won’t. It just seems your shows should feature a little more magic and a bit less traumatic extortion.”

Trixie gasped. Trick’s smug attitude was stifled as she saw her won over by some dark inspiration. “You’re right, Trick! You should put your magic to good use for Trixie tonight, and see what can help Trixie reunite with Twilight Sparkle.” She shuffled into the caravan and shut the door on Trick.

The bolt rattled into place, locking Trick outside. “You’re not seriously suggesting I stalk that librarian you reduced to tears?”

“Twilight will seek out the Great and Powerful Trixie when the time is right. However, Trixie expects her assistant to stalk if stalking can find us a plan B. Trixie also expects her assistant to fulfill his obligation to our prior agreement while she rests.”

He jiggled the knob despite knowing the door wouldn’t budge. “Now is not a good time to be pulling that card! I’m just as tired as you are, and I can always do this for you in the morning.” After giving up on the door, he jumped to the side of the caravan and opened the window. “I don’t appreciate being ignored, either!”

“Don’t you want Trixie to get her beauty sleep? Trixie has been more than generous to you and can still think of plenty of ways at this hour to make you regret your insolence.” Trixie’s exasperation was very unbecoming of her. Trick knew it usually led to her resorting to getting what she wanted through far less graceful means.

Trixie tried to close the window, but Trick reached out his hoof in time and kept it open. “Listen, Cheap Trick, just think of it as a favor. Wouldn’t that be exciting, knowing the Great and Powerful Trixie would be in your debt?”

Trick pressed the advantage. “A less patient stallion would have left you months ago. Keep me interested in doing your chores.”

“How about a magic lesson?” Trixie asked as she attempted to push him away without success.

“When’s the last time you even picked up a book?” Trick had no problem keeping the window open, even with Trixie’s hoof in his face. He was determined to gain some ground even if it meant jumping in there to continue the argument.

“Well,” Trixie grunted, “Could Trixie pay you back for her new caravan?” She was now curt, perhaps from realizing he was learning the cheap tricks she used herself.

Trick's frustration with her tired him more than her struggling. “You already know I don’t care about money.”

“If you keep wasting your time bickering with Trixie, you won’t be able to do what she asked!”

“Then give me a reason to stick around!”

“Trixie will spend a day with you to do whatever you like!” Trixie blurted out.

Trick’s eyes widened in awe at the implication. He stepped away from both Trixie and the window to contemplate what this meant for him, forgetting briefly that she was throwing almost her entire weight on him. Without thinking he dove forward to catch her shrieking, tumbling form.

Trick saw Trixie’s eyes glisten from the realization he saved her. As soon as Trick felt any sense of reward in coming to her rescue, she freed herself from his arms and dusted herself off as if to put the moment behind her. That could have been more intimate, he thought to himself.

Trixie batted Trick’s hooves away when he tried to help her up. “If you had been practicing your magic, you wouldn’t have needed to catch Trixie.”

“I don’t mind getting my hooves dirty to help you.”

Trixie smirked. “We have an agreement then?”

“Hardly. I don’t believe you’d actually go on a date with me after all your lectures on why you don’t date your assistants. Your interest in that librarian was pretty transparent, too.”

“I just thought it would help my case,” Trixie nervously clarified. “You saw how comfortable she was with that pegasus! If she starts spending more time with her head in the clouds, she’ll surely stop embracing the talent Trixie sees in her. Therefore, if Trixie wins her affection, Twilight will finally rid herself of that distraction.”

“Although you sound sincerely worried about whom Twilight chooses to date, they seemed pretty close. I’m not sure acting like that will win her over.” Trick’s voice dropped off, having regretted his choice of words almost immediately. His fears were confirmed when Trixie suddenly convulsed with excitement.

“That’s it! If Trixie can use her ways and convince Twilight to practice magic as Trixie’s stagehoof, she won’t even have time to worry about anyone other than Trixie!”

Trick gulped. “Now you’re replacing me? Why would I even agree to this?!”

“A-ha! There’s the dumb oaf Trixie loves to tote around. Simple Trick, how is Trixie supposed to woo Twilight once the filly becomes her assistant?” Her gentle voice, though condescending, remained virtuous in sound.

Trick recognized what Trixie was trying to say. It almost made too much sense to him, and he already expected her to try and say what he wanted to hear.

But it was so elegant. She was elegant.

“Okay. I’ll do what you ask, provided two things. I get to sleep is my first demand.”

“This is fine as long as you don’t disturb Trixie. And the other condition?”

“You come with me. I’ll do whatever you ask, but we go on this field trip together. You point, I’ll shoot. Or in this case, stalk.”

Trixie walked back towards the door in contemplation.

“So is it a deal? Just imagine a whole day where you get to boss me around.” Trixie would undoubtedly find no difference between his idea for the day’s activities and any other given day. Trick just hoped she liked to be buttered up.

Trixie stared at the door and remained silent.

“Wh-what is it?”

“You will have your day of playing lapdog. Be prepared to do whatever I say, and understand that Trixie won’t be satisfied until the Great and Powerful Trixie has her new playth— Trixie means, her new assistant. However...”

“However?” Trick stood beside her, anticipating another hoop to jump through.

“In order for us to sleep, where do you and Trixie need to be?”

“Uh, inside the caravan?”

“Correct. And do you remember why you didn’t follow Trixie into the caravan in the first place?”

“It’s still locked, isn’t it?” Trick’s shoulders sank.

“Trixie is sure you have a grabbing spell which doesn’t need direct view of the object. Open the door.”

Trick held his tongue. The new day wouldn’t arrive for several hours, but Trixie was already barking orders. Questioning her own knowledge on spells useful for the predicament would jeopardize his chance for pleasant sleep, let alone a pleasant day afterward.

His horn illuminated the delight in Trixie’s face as the bolt moved out of place. Trixie stepped inside and flipped her tail in Trick’s face again as he followed behind. He tried to hold in the sneeze the second time but gave in.

“Achoo!”

“Hmph. Did Trixie give you permission to sneeze?”

Trixie’s question prompted Trick to closely re-evaluate the sense in making such a deal. “Heh, the things I do for L—”

“Did Trixie give you permission to speak?”

“Nevermind. Goodnight, Trixie.” Goodbye, dignity.

Act 1, Scene 8

“Thanks, Rainbow Dash.” Twilight repeated for the umpteenth time as her friend carried her home. Repetition created familiarity. Familiarity created comfort. Although she should have spent the flight home thinking of ways to prepare for Trixie’s traps, she spent it instead comforting herself. “Really, thanks.”

Contemplation of numbers, formulas, and magic dissolved away when Rainbow Dash carried Twilight through the starry night. It must have been from the moment Rainbow first wrapped her arms around her protectively. The view of rooftops and street lights passing under her hooves was broken only by the occasional cloud Rainbow Dash would fly through. She felt Rainbow Dash’s unwavering “You’re welcome’s” tickle her ear, never once sounding annoyed or impatient with her. But the replies, no matter how often repeated, did not bring the complete comfort Twilight expected. Something gnawed at the back of her mind, a feeling of being ill at ease.

“Deja vu,” she whispered under her breath. A memory floated just below the surface, teasing her before flying away just out of hoof’s reach. It wasn’t enough that she just escaped Trixie or that the view was beautiful. She didn’t like that clinging to Rainbow Dash was supposed to feel familiar to her, though she had only ever been briefly carried by her a few times, and only ever for a moment or two.

It was difficult to focus on any worries in the serene atmosphere, and the pleasant breeze eventually convinced Twilight to stop overthinking. Clouds and worries dissipated as she flew through them, leaving only an ambient warmth which overpowered the night’s chill. She peered through the dream-like state to see her home, disappointed that the flight would end so soon. “Thanks for flying slowly, too.”

“Almost got ya home, Twi. So you can stop thanking me so darn much.” Twilight reluctantly shifted around in Rainbow Dash’s arms to ready for her landing. Rainbow Dash placed Twilight gently on the balcony connected to Twilight’s room.

“But I can’t thank you enough!” Twilight shivered as cold air grasped her once again. She shook it off and stepped tentatively towards Rainbow Dash. “Everypony just gawked at me, like I was doing something wrong. And for what, not wanting to play along with whatever Trixie cooked up? Or was it because my best friend wants to go out with me?”

Twilight was surprised to see the normally-cool Rainbow Dash standing there with her head hung low and her wings tucked in. She moved to her side hoping to huddle up with her, but Rainbow Dash headed for the railing instead. Refusing to give up, she resorted to small talk. “I’ve only flown with you a few times. I didn’t realize that until now.”

Rainbow Dash threw her arms over the railing in a huff. Twilight heard her pant, most likely catching her breath from carrying her. She let out a broken laugh. “R-really? Heh, I guess I’ve only carried you when you’ve needed help.”

“Maybe you can take me for a ride sometime when I’m not in peril for once.” Twilight playfully nudged Rainbow Dash with her shoulder. “Or was that already in the itinerary?”

“Itinerary? Uh...”

Twilight giggled. “Plan.”

Rainbow Dash smirked and spread her wings. “Oh! Wouldn’t be a date with yours truly if I didn’t show off my latest moves!”

Twilight stood beside Rainbow Dash and threw an arm over her shoulder. “How would that be different from any other day we hang out?”

Rainbow Dash’s smile faded and her eyes shot downward. “Sorry, Twi.”

Twilight patted Rainbow Dash on the back. “Don’t sweat it, Rainbow. I’m just teasing you.”

“No, Twi. I’m sorry for what happened. For everything.” Rainbow Dash sighed. Of all the stress and tension Twilight went through in the past hour, it was the guilt in Rainbow Dash’s voice and slump that kept Twilight from finding the words to say. Though only a foot or two apart at most, Twilight found the distance nearly unbearable. Each moment Twilight counted the number of times she could’ve tried to reach for Rainbow Dash’s hoof or even hug her.

Rainbow Dash still fixated on the ground and made no effort to break the silence. Twilight spoke softly and hoped Rainbow Dash would at least see her smile. “What are you sorry for? Trixie was the one acting weird about the two of us. True, you blurted out our plans for tomorrow, but you stood by me. I can’t blame you for being yourself.”

Rainbow Dash sniffled and rubbed her eyes. “Even if it hurts your feelings?”

It pained Twilight to see Rainbow Dash trembling and huddled up by herself. Twilight thought of getting a blanket, but Rainbow Dash’s ruffled feathers and watery eyes cried for more than warmth. If anything, she looked like she needed a hug. Twilight wanted to see her bounce back, even if Rainbow Dash didn’t think anything of their embrace.

Of course the hug would mean something to her, stupid! She asked me out. What’s stopping me?

With narrowed and determined eyes, Twilight tore herself from the railing. A hug should mean a lot to Rainbow Dash. She took a deep breath and ignored her heart’s pounding to pull Rainbow Dash away, who yelped in confusion. Twilight didn’t allow herself to hesitate and threw her arms around Rainbow Dash, hugging her for what seemed like the first time. It wasn’t like hugging any of the others. Twilight felt the tightness in her chest finally relax. Her heart beat furiously while Rainbow Dash was in her arms, but it was a good feeling. “I can always forgive you. We’ve been through way too much to let a bad day get to us.”

Rainbow Dash exhaled and gently squeezed Twilight. She rested her head against Twilight’s, her breath tickling Twilight’s coat. “Thank you Twi, but if you don’t want to do this tomorrow because of me-”

“Rainbow Dash, this isn’t your fault. Trixie was obnoxious and ponies bought her act wholesale.” While Rainbow Dash was good at heroics, Twilight excelled in lecturing. She could feel Rainbow Dash trying to break away from the hug, so she kept a firm grip and tone. “I can’t believe I have to talk you into going on your own date!”

Rainbow Dash leapt out her arms, flapping her wings above Twilight while wildly gesturing. “No you don’t! It’s just that I asked suddenly, but you just as suddenly said yes so I didn’t think you were sure, and then I thought Trixie’s scare-tactics –”

“Would scare me off?”

“You were freaking out, remember?”

“Not after being with you.” Their faces were inches apart. Rainbow Dash’s lips quivered and provoked Twilight’s anticipation of what could happen. Twilight turned away. The night had been too long and confusing. Her head was a mess. “I better get going to bed. Won’t do us any good if I’m a zombie tomorrow, right?”

Rainbow Dash stretched out her arms and yawned. “Yeah, I should get going too so we can start early. Hey, maybe you’ll have some fun outside of the library for once.” She nudged Twilight with her elbow.

“C’mon, I’m not that bad.” Twilight blushed, expecting her to do something a little more romantic than yawning. She felt like a foal for the sudden letdown, though admittedly she broke away first. “My nose isn’t in a book all the time, you know.”

“Are you kidding? I bet you’re thinking about a book right now, aren’t you?” As far as Twilight could tell, Rainbow Dash forgot or put aside what was bothering her. Twilight smiled, accepting this Rainbow Dash over the guilty one, though her accusation reminded her of something.

“Oh no!” Twilight broke away, casting a spell to make the memory spellbook she left outside appear behind her in a purple flash. Not wanting to bother Rainbow Dash with another problem on top of her apparent guilt over Trixie’s antics, she tucked the book under her arm and maintained a nonchalant demeanor. Rainbow Dash looked at her suspiciously.

“What is it?” Rainbow Dash poked her head through Twilight’s defenses, which couldn’t do much more than twist her arms away and cover up the book’s title.

“Oh, just another dusty old spellbook I left outside earlier. You wouldn’t be interested.” Twilight saw the curiosity in Rainbow Dash’s eyes. Hiding behind a forced grin and a glowing horn, her spell swiftly opened the door and threw the book inside. Seeing Rainbow Dash following it, she raced her to the door and shut it. “It’s not the new Daring Do, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

Rainbow Dash peeled her face from the door, checking her face with her hoof for any serious injury. “If I catch you so much as reading a menu tomorrow, so help me!”

“Don’t be so harsh! I needed that book to —” Twilight stopped. She still recalled everything the memory her spell recovered earlier, from the way the wind made her wince to how tightly the pegasus held her to its chest. She didn’t realize it sooner with all the stress, but she retained what little she could long after the spell’s failure, through the stage debacle and the flight home. Perhaps being carried in the air earlier strengthened the lucidity, but that wouldn’t explain how she held onto it after blacking out previously.

There was only one new factor introduced which made today different from all of her previous attempts to use the book. Could that be it? She could try the spell again to be on the safe side, but Twilight had good reason to guess that Rainbow Dash was helping the spell’s potency. And Rainbow Dash’s coat was the same color as the pony from that memory. Or had her mind filled in that detail after her flight with Rainbow Dash?

“You’re lucky it’s so late at night, or I’d pry further.” Rainbow Dash was right that it was too late at night to pry further into things. Twilight would have to ask her questions at a better time, preferably after a full night’s rest and hopefully a quiet breakfast with Rainbow Dash.

Twilight had a good idea now what to ask, though the answers may prompt even harder questions. Either way, appeasing her no-books request may be the best way to keep her mood up. As she started brainstorming possible ways to tactfully bring up such topics, Rainbow Dash started to take off. “Let’s go to Canterlot tomorrow!” Twilight shouted.

“Canterlot?” Rainbow Dash stopped mid-air turned her head.

“I can return the book to the library there, and I know there’s plenty to see and do.” Rainbow Dash continued to stare at Twilight with her “you’re being an egghead” look. “We could take the train, but I’d bet it’d be a lot more fun to fly.”

Rainbow Dash smirked and flapped her wings. “I’ll have to see if it fits into our ‘itinerary.’” In seconds she was gone, above the clouds.

“Good night!” Twilight made a note to herself to lecture Rainbow Dash on the proper way to say goodbye. She wasted no time heading inside and crawl into bed, forgoing the usual preparations for sleep. It was cold outside without Rainbow Dash, and for now she had to make do with a blanket.