“Twilight! Twilight!” The purple baby dragon called, running through the friendship castle.
“I’m in the library Spike.” Twilight answered, turning her attention back to the book she were reading.
A few seconds later, Spike burst into the library, panting. Spike had an anxious expression on his face, spotting Twilight in the corner of the room, reading a novel book. Twilight looked up from her book, seeing the worry expression on her assistant's face.
“Is something wrong Spike?” Twilight asked, placing a bookmark in her book before closing it.
“You would not believe who I spotted today while leaving from Rarity's’?” Spike said. “...Trixie.”
“Trixie? Trixie Lulamoon? She’s back in Ponyville, is she causing any trouble?” Twilight asked, a bit of concern crossing her face.
“No, but she wants another duel, with you.”
“Another duel,” Twilight grimaced. “Please tell me that mare does not have another magical item like the Alicorn Amulet?” Doubt tracing Twilight’s voice as she asked this.
“I don't think so.” Spike said, finally calming down. “See, I was coming back from Rarity’s place when I spotted Trixie looking around town. When I spotted her, I tried to avoid her, but she spotted me before I could take off in another direction. She called me over in demanded that I get you for another duel. She said she wanted: One Last Fair Duel.”
Twilight sighed heavily, placing her book back on the shelf. “So, where is she?”
“What, you're actually going to accept her duel request?” Spiked asked flabbergasted.
“No.” Twilight stated firmly, heading to the front door. “But I want to know the meaning behind her assertive motivation. You remember her first visit, the high boasting she did till the Ursa Minor showed up. Then the second time she came, seeking revenge with the Alicorn Amulet. Now this Last Duel, I wonder what got her so revved up this time. It seemed more than just the lost of her magic show for her to be acting like this.”
“Do you think so?” Spike asked with doubt, following Twilight in the halls.
Twilight paused for a minute, thinking further into this. “No, but it is an assumption. And if my assumption is true, then I would like to help her anyway I can.”
“What if she want that power for a darker purpose?” Spike asked, hopping on Twilight’s back.
Twilight stayed quiet until she stopped just outside her front door. “Then, depending on what it is, I may have to use my title on her.” With that, Twilight spread her wings and took to the evening skies.
***
“There she is, down there.” Spike pointed, on top of Twilight’s back. Trixie was standing in a grassy plane with little amount of trees within the vicinity, on the far side of Ponyville.
“Why is she this far out from Ponyville?” Twilight asked, slowing down for a landing.
“Don’t know, she didn't say why.” Spike answered back.
Twilight just shrugged as she focused on her descent, not wanting to plummet to the ground once more. Managing to land softly, Twilight spotted Trixie, her back against them as she looked off in the direction of Ponyville. Trixie was wearing her magic outfit: A starry lavender cape and a matching color pointy hat. Spike hopped off of Twilight's back and ran to a safe distance, not wanting to be in range if something do go down.
Taking a deep breath, Twilight called out to her. “Trixie?!”
Trixie jumped and spun around, then released a sigh of relief as she saw it was Twilight who called out to her.
“The great and powerful Trixie was beginning to think you would never show. Since you are here, that means you have accepted Trixie’s challenge?” Trixie asked with a grin, taking a few steps closer, leaving room for a battle.
“No.” Twilight deadpan.
“No?” Trixie lost her grin, looking at Twilight astonish. “But-but Trixie even had this area plan out so nopony will see what will happen.”
“Trixie, I don't want to duel you.” Twilight stated firmly, walking up towards the mare.
“Why? Trixie promise it will be a fair duel. Trixie will not have any outside help or use of faulty magic items.” Trixie said, pleading tattered in her voice.
“Why do you want to duel with me so badly?” Twilight asked, eyeing Trixie.
“Because, because the first time you humiliated Trixie in front of everypony and ruin Trixie career. The second time, Trixie was possessed by that accursed amulet and still lost to you. Trixie just wants to know where she stands at against you. All Trixie ask is one more duel. No bets, no life deals, no magic items. Just a duel to prove who is better at magic.”
“Is that all? You just wanted to know where you stand against me, to see who’s better at magic?” Twilight asked, looking at the mare for any sign of ulterior motives.
Trixie eyes shifted to the ground, now hesitant in her words. “O-of course. Trixie was renowned for her magic act and abilities. Then those two doofuses had to bring in that Ursa Minor, then you stopped it with ease and made Trixie look like a fool.”
“Well, it's hardly their fault-,” Twilight stopped mid sentence and thought about that. “Okay, so it was kind of their fault, but you did fuel their imagination. Why did you go around saying all of those things if it wasn't true in the first place?”
Trixie looked up to the sky, pondering her thoughts. “Trixie does not need any reasons. So will you duel with Trixie, so that she can show you how great and powerful she truly is.”
“No,” Twilight sighed. “And even if I did decided too, it wouldn't help you much now.” Twilight said, unfolding her wings and presenting them to Trixie.
Trixie just blink owlishly at Twilight’s wings, trying to comprehend what she were seeing. Twilight gave her wings a small shake before folding them back onto her sides, looking at Trixie for a response.
“W-what was that?” Trixie asked, stunned.
“My… wings?” Twilight replied confuse.
“Trixie know what they are.” Trixie stated quickly. “Trixie wants to know why you have them.”
“Because I’m an alicorn.” Twilight said, now pacing in front of the mare.
“Alicorn?” Trixie mumble, sounding shattered. “If you're an alicorn than that means your…”
“A princess.” Twilight finish for her. “Did you not hear about my coronation?”
“I heard about a new princess being crown, but I didn't care too much for it at the time.” Trixie said, losing her third-pony talk.
“Well it's not something I go prancing around and gloating.” Twilight stated sheepishly.
“I see,” Trixie said in a dishearten tone. Sighing a heavy sigh, Trixie stood back up on her hooves. “Trixie will take her leave now.” Turning around, Trixie started towards Ponyville, her head hanging low.
“Trixie wait.” Twilight called out, but Trixie ignored her as she kept walking away.
A few seconds passed before Spike came out of hiding. “Wow,” Spike started with a whistle. “She seemed so, so… sad.”
“Yeah.” Twilight confirmed, watching Trixie disappear into town.
“Hey Twi, why do you think this ‘duel’ meant so much to her?” Spike asked.
“I don't know Spike, but I want to find out.”
“Huh, you do?”
“Yes. Come on Spike, I’m going to take you back home. Then, I’m going to go talk to Trixie.”
“Alright, if you say so.” Spike said, hoping back on Twilight’s back.
“Ready?”
“Yeah.”
With that, Twilight took off back to the castle, with Trixie still firmly on her mind.
***
Walking through Ponyville, Twilight asked everypony she came across if they have seen Trixie. To no avail, Twilight was left just wandering through town. After another half an hour of asking around, Twilight was able to find that Trixie was staying in a hotel, one that was not far from Ponyville’s town square. Walking up to the hotel, Twilight spotted Trixie sitting outside next to a tree, rotating several apple’s in a circle. Twilight also noted that Trixie was not wearing her magic performance outfit and was looking quite dishearten.
“Trixie…” Twilight called out, just above a whisper.
Trixie stop what she was doing and looked behind her. Trixie and Twilight locked eyes for a few moments before she let the apples fall to her side.
“What are you doing here?” Trixie asked. Her tone wasn’t really mad, yet she was also not pleased to see Twilight.
“I would like to talk to you,” Twilight said, walking over and sitting in front of Trixie. “I wanted to know why you are so determined to prove your magic capabilities. Can you tell me, truthfully?”
Trixie looked at Twilight with a bit of anger before scuffing at her question. “The great and powerful Trixie has nothing to prove.” Trixie said standing up. “Trixie just wanted to know how her magic matches against yours, nothing more.”
“Trixie, if there something wrong, I would like to help you.” Twilight asked a bit more forcely.
“There is nothing wrong with Trixie!” Trixie retorted with a glare, causing Twilight to reeled back at her word of choice.
“I didn't mean it like that.” Twilight said, apologetically. “I’m just curious. Why do you go around calling yourself ‘The Great and Powerful’ and challenging other ponies, including me, twice.”
“Trixie challenged you three times, not two.” Trixie stated.
“Yes, but the first time wasn't actually a direct challenge, it was more of a…,” Twilight put a hoof to her chin, “a boasting challenge. Anyways, it wasn’t a ‘I demand a rematch” challenge like the last one and now.”
“Trixie had bestest many that she challenge, nopony was a match, that is why Trixie is the great and powerful. Then Trixie came here, wanting to improve her fame before setting off to Canterlot. Then you had to make a fool of Trixie, word spread around from what happen here, now nopony believe in Trixie’s capabilities.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for any of that to happen.” Twilight said ashamed. “I was just protecting my home when the Ursa Minor was brought here, if it wasn't for that, I wouldn't have done a thing.”
Trixie looked at Twilight with a bit of remorse, knowing that most of this was mainly her fault. Sitting back down, Trixie levitated an apple over to Twilight, giving her a weak smile. Taking an apple for herself, she took a bite out of it then looked over to Twilight.
“Do you really want to know why Trixie is like this.” She asked.
Twilight looked at Trixie, a piece of apple still in her mouth. Swallowing, she nodded slowly and move over next to her, giving Trixie her full attention. Trixie coughed in her hoof and looked up at the sky.
“When Trixie was little, her mom used to tell her stories about one of her ancestors. A unicorn who was powerful and skilled at magic. Stories was told about the unicorn’s ability and his adventures, and Trixie was always amazed every time she heard them. Trixie wanted to be liked him, even to the point of dressing up like him time to time. Most of all, Trixie wanted to be as famous and powerful as he was, to have stories told about how great and powerful Trixie is.”
Trixie sighed as she twirled the apple around in her magic, lost in thought.
“Who was your ancestor?” Twilight asked, faint curiosity plaguing her.
Trixie looked at Twilight, the right side of her mouth twitching, like she wanted to say who it was. “No pony of importance.”
“Really, cause it sounds like somepony important to you, and seemed like you looked up to him an awful lot. Plus, you said stories, maybe I’ve heard of him in one of my books.”
Trixie eyes started to scan her surrounding, looking for an answer out of the sky. “Just a powerful unicorn.” She said with uncertainty. “Anyways, Trixie soon started her magic lessons and was determined to show how powerful she was. Trixie always bragged about her pony relatives, so when the day came for Trixie to prove her power, it, well…. Trixie didn’t do so good.” Trixie mumble under her breath, Taking another bite out of the apple.
“What happened?” Twilight asked in a soft tone.
“Trixie’s magic was weaker than a normal filly should be,” Trixie sighed sadly.” The other ponies, they made fun of Trixie’s magic when they compared it to her ancestors. Trixie, err, I couldn’t take the teasing anymore. I tried to train my magic, to make it stronger anyway I could. When I discovered magic tricks, I decided to test it on my class. Everypony was so amazed by my magic show, that before I knew it, I earn my cutie mark in magic act. That alone made me realise that I could make a name for myself like my ancestor did. The Great and Powerful Trixie, number one magician in Equestria, and the most powerful unicorn you would ever see.” Trixie said with a wave of her hoof. “And it was good, but I started to make up stories about myself, to help increase my fame, those stories became my passion. Soon I was about nearly as famous in Equestria as my ancestor was. Then after coming here, the two thing I worked hard for was crushed, my adventure stories and my magic skills.”
“So why did you wanted to duel with me?” Twilight asked, the one question she mainly wanted to know.
“Because, if I was to defeat the pony the defeated me twice, maybe, just maybe I could get back some of my fame for skills in magic. Not like it would ever live up to my ancestor.”
Trixie’s head was hanging low, she was hoofing the dirt after she finished her story. Twilight didn’t know what to say. She felt a bit guilty for ruining a pony’s dream, a dream that was innocent to start with. She wanted to help Trixie, but she didn't know how. What could she do?
“Who was your ancestor exactly?” Twilight asked, trying to see if there was a way to help her meet her goal again.
Trixie turned her head away, not wanting to look at Twilight. Twilight sat there and waited, giving Trixie time to answer.
“I’ll be right back.” Trixie said, getting up and walking into the hotel. After a couple of minutes, Trixie return with her cape and hat on. Sitting back down next to Twilight, Trixie stared forward at a nearby fountain. “Do you know why my stage outfit is designed like this?”
Twilight looked at the cape and took a guess. “To mirrored your ancestor?”
Trixie nodded her head. “Do you recognize the pattern?”
“No.”
Trixie gave a small sigh. “My ancestor, the one I idolize so much is..,” Trixie lowered her head and mumble something under her breath.
Twilight blinked, trying to catch what she said. “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t hear you. Can you repeat that for me a little louder?”
“Star Swirl.” Trixie mumble, just above a whisper.
Twilight looked at Trixie, a dumbfounded look on her face as she stared owlishly. “Hehe, I’m sorry, but did you say Star Swirl?”
Trixie nodded her head slowly, putting her hoof to her face to hide her embarrassment.
“Star Swirl? As in thee ‘Star Swirl’?”
Trixie groan and nodded her head, confirming Twilight’s notion.
“Like ‘Star Swirl the Bearded’?”
“Yes, yes! That Star Swirl.” Trixie said in a muffled tone.
“You're a descendant of St- “Twilight was cut off from an apple flying into her mouth.
“Shhh. Don’t go telling all of Equestria about this. It’s embarrassing enough when I think about it myself.”
“Why would you be embarrassed about being related to Star Swirl the Bearded?” Twilight asked, biting and removing the apple from her mouth.
“Look at me. I’m a traveling magician who’s been branded a fraud. I can’t get no work for my act and I’m working on a rock farm just to make money, which is surprisingly very profitable.” Trixie mumbled. “But I don't want other to compare me to him, not like this. Trixie practically face planted her head on the ground, tears forming in her eyes.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Twilight said, rubbing the back of Trixie’s neck. She didn’t no what else to say: sure she wanted to know more about Star Swirl, the family, and anything that he might had left behind, but she knew this wasn’t the best of time to ask.
After a while, Trixie lifted her head up and gave a refreshing sigh. “It feels good to finally get that off of my chest. You're the first pony I told in a while that didn't laugh or called me a liar.”
“Well it certainly is something hard to believe, with you being related to Star Swirl and all, but I can see your telling the truth. Though can I ask you something else?”
“Oh sure, I don't mind.” Trixie said, visibly relaxed.
“Why do you tend to talk in third-pony?”
“It's a habit I picked up. If they were ever going to tell stories about me and my ‘amazing’ achievements, I would know how to tell it third-pony style. Like how they tell stories of Star Swirl.”
“You really idolize him your whole life, haven’t you?” Twilight said and a soft distance voice, gazing up at the evening sky. Twilight thought about just how different both of them was when it came to idolizing Star Swirl.
***
After some time had passed by, and both mares finish eating the rest of the apples, Trixie stood up with a smile on her face.
“Trixie thank you for seeking her out and hearing her story. It was... refreshing. Trixie thought about it and decided that she wants to restart her magic career. It’ll be hard, but Trixie is sure she can do it, once she improve in her magic that is.”
Twilight looked over to Trixie, standing up herself, and decided something, something she was sure Trixie would like.
“Trixie, if you want, I can help you?”
“Huh?” Trixie looked at Twilight, her mouth slightly ajar.
“I can help you with your magic. While my princess title is friendship, I exceed in magic on high levels. If you would like, I can teach you higher level magic, you certainly have the capability to improve.
“Trixie does not take help when it comes to learning magic, she teaches her own self.” Trixie said, sticking her nose up in the air before sighing and looking down. “But, Trixie doesn't mind learning something new, and any help that comes with it.”
Twilight chuckle to herself as she caught on to what Trixie was saying. “I’m sure your magic will be stronger than before, and with the new spells, you could even add more variety to your magic show.”
Trixie gave a half hearted smile as she look away. “Trixie doesn't know if she can get her career restarted, but it worth a try at least.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be here to help you, I can even help dispel any negative rumors about you that you have at the moment, giving you a fresh start. While I don't like going around using my title to get things done, I don't mind using it if it means helping a friend. Plus, it won't really effect anypony but you and no negative drawback, so there’s no abusing of power there.”
“Friends? Would you really do that for Trixie? I haven't done anything to earn your forgiveness.” Trixie said, a tangible of doubts crossing her words.
“Mhm, trust me, I forgiven ponies who done far worse than you.” Twilight said, turning her head to the side and mumble. “Like Sunset and Discord.”
“Thank you.” Trixie cried out, giving Twilight a tight hug. “Thank you so much for helping Trixie. Trixie promise to pay you back, anyway she can.”
“Don’t worry about it, like I said, what are friends for.” Twilight replied, returning Trixie’s hug. “When you are ready, stop by my castle tomorrow and we can began.” Twilight said, letting go of the embrace.
Saying their goodbyes, Twilight started for her castle, feeling like she achieve something new. She couldn't really place a hoof on what that new feeling or achievement was, but she knew it was followed by helping a former enemy without conflict. Twilight even giggle to herself, wondering if she could get any hidden history of Star Swirl’s secret life. Still, Twilight felt happy to be able to help Trixie fix her mistakes and get her career back on track. Maybe with their time together, Twilight could learn something more about Trixie and the things she’d learned herself.
Author's Note
Well, my first true attempt at a one-shot. Not really my thing, but hey, I could improve. One-shot will be the rarest of the rare you will find on my profile, but that doesn't mean I'm not willing to give it a try. Oh and before anypony asked, Twilight is just helping Trixie improve in her magic, everything else is up for debut.
Anyways, I hope you ponies enjoy this short story between Trixie and Twilight, leave a comment down below as I do enjoy reading them.
