The Witch's Tower: Finding One's Path

Trixie awoke to a feeling of slight pain in her...well, everywhere.

She tried to sit up, but found that it was too hard to do, so she simply lay back down onto the bed she was laying in.

Wait. Bed? She wasn't lying on the ground anymore? What happened? All she could remember was placing a small amount of that blue powder like substance into a mixture she made with the flower. She placed it on the heater and all of a sudden, BOOM! She saw a bright flash of light, felt a burning sensation, fell over and passed out.

She tried to open her eyes, and found that she could just barely get them open a crack. She managed to maintain that sliver of sight long enough to look around and see Zecora sitting on her haunches in a chair to her right, her hooves covering her face/ She coughed a bit as she tried to speak, her words coming out like,

"T...teacher... Ms. Zecora, what's..." she coughs, "wrong?" She lifts a hoof towards her mentor.

Zecora looks up from her hooves and sees Trixie reaching out to her. She immediately rushes to her side, gently grasping her outstretched hoof with her own.

"Trixie, are you alright? Please tell me of your plight!" Zecora said, tears threatening to stream down her face again.

Trixie simply laughed, finding her teacher's worry amusing when combined with her rhyme speak. "I...feel fine, teacher, I promise. I mean, I feel better at least. I'm not covered in dust anymore that's for sure. How did you fix that, anyway?" Trixie was rambling. She was doing everything in her power to ease Zecora's nerves, and that included random topic changes.

It seemed to work, as Zecora sighed and let go of her hoof. "It seems you are fine. That fact eases my mind." She looked up at her student with a smile. "It was a simple healing brew. It can be applied to your skin, too!" Zecora tried to make a joke to ease the atmosphere, a smile adorning her features at how funny it was even to her.

Trixie laughed as well, and they both joined in merriment for only a small while until Trixie looked down at herself with a said expression.

Zecora noticed this and said, "Now what is the matter, Trixie? What is that expression on your face I see?"

Trixie didn't answer right away. Instead, she kept looking down at the covers she was under, before turning her attention back to the zebra mare.

"I'm sorry, teacher."

Zecora was surprised at this. "Why, child, whatever for? Why would you be sad anymore? You are safe and uninjured, no? What could have you hindered so?"

Trixie simply looked back to the covers. "I...said somethings I shouldn't have. I was acting like a spoiled foal and tried to take on more than I was ready for. I see that now."

She turned to lock eyes with her teacher, who she could see was genuinely shocked that she was saying these things. "I promise never to doubt your teachings again. If you say I should do something a certain way, I will trust your judgement, and be patient. You are my teacher, after all. What use am I If I can't follow my teacher's words?"

Zecora looked as if she was about to cry again, but instead, enveloped Trixie in a gentle, comforting hug. "There is no need to apologize. You simply wanted something new to try. If anything, I am to blame, for leaving you alone to stoke the flames."

Zecora released her hold on Trixie and said. "If you don't like research, we will have to find another road. Perhaps combing the two will make it easier to take the load."

From that day forward, Trixie studied in the ways of magical potions and elixirs, taking to the information like water to a sponge. It was actually rather enjoyable when combined with hands on work. And with Zecora there to keep an eye on her, they never had to experience an incident like that again for the rest of the time Trixie stayed. It also helped that Trixie, keeping true to her words about her studying, had taken up researching in Zecora's library, determined never to make that same mistake again, it seemed.

There wasn't a moment outside of breakfast, lunch and dinner that Zecora saw Trixie outside of that library. It had become her new room after a while, with Zecora placing a bed in there just to make sure she got some sleep after all that reading. But it made her proud to see the determined smile on her face every time she walked by the room.

They eventually had to replace the bowls and flasks Trixie had broken, a fact that still made her feel embarrassed every time it was brought up, so now, they were headed toward the ponyville marketplace,making their way across one of the bridges that now connected all of Equus together.

Along the way, they talked about several things Trixie had learned, from the proper formula to create a fire bomb potion, to the ins and outs of healing brew and even strengthening elixirs. She recited all of them by memory alone at least three times before, and today was no exception.

"Of course, the main ingredient in a fire bomb potion is the Phoenix Feather flower." Trixie said with a haughty smile. She still had a bit of the old show pony in her somewhere.

"And don't forget, before we make it to town in less than an hour, what is the Phoenix Feather flower?"

"It's an ancient flower found only in the Everfree that is said to bloom eternally once it has fully grown. It's first appearance was after Apocalypse Six and it has been used as a symbol of hope ever since."

"Once again you are correct Trixie. Your learning speed never ceases to amaze me." Zecora said as they were stopped by a guard at the entrance to the Equestrian District.

"Halt! Who goes there? State you business!" he shouted.

Zecora simply walked up to the stallion and smiled, pulling down the brown hood she always loved to wear. "Forgive our sudden approach to your gates, but we desire to enter before it gets too late. We are only travelers looking for things to buy. Perhaps you could let us in, my companion and I?"

The guard simply looked on at her, dumbstruck. "Oh, um, well, uh...anything for the great Everfree Sage." He steps to the side. "Right this way ma'am!" He saluted to her, his training kicking in for talking to somepony with authority.

Se simply laughed and walked forward through the gates. "Thank you, kind sir. I must go about my day. I only wish we had more time to stay."

Trixie stood dumbfounded, watching her teacher talk with the guard. 'Looks like her title has more pull than I first thought if the guards know her.'

Soon, the display of celebrity power was over, and they were walking through the gates. Trixie had to ask.

"Um...teacher? What was that?"

Zecora looked back at her. "Oh, that? Just a bit of recognition, young mage. Good deeds get a lot of respect in this day and age."

'She considers fighting off a hundred timberwolves all at once nothing more than a good deed? Wow...' Trixie thought as she once again realized just how powerful her teacher actually was.

When they had finally made it to town, Zecora went about buying the necessary items from a griffon vendor some ways away from his home after the 'incident' as he called it while talking to her. She was surprised to finally see a griffon who had suffered like they had. She had heard that Apocalypse Six affected every nation, but to see it with her own eyes was...shocking, to say the least.

It was only a few minutes until they were making their way back to Zecora's tree, her cart carrying several different assortments of bowls, powders and flasks that she had bought

"Trixie. Wait here." Zecora suddenly said. "I have something you should see. Perhaps it's a little early, but I know you'll love it. Wait for me."

And with that, Zecora was gone, making her way up the tree and into the house, while leaving Trixie to guess what she could have for her.

"What could she possibly have to give me? Is it some kind of jewel?" She whispered to herself as she watched for any sign that her teacher was returning.

She soon saw her exiting the house and coming back down, a small box held in her mouth.

Trixie stepped back to allow her space to place the thing down. " What is it, Ms. Zecora?" she asked, eagerly.

"Shame on you! How could you forget? I said I would remake your costume. A whole new set!"

At that, Trixie's eyes lit up. "My magician's costume? You made it?"

"Indeed. And it was quite the challenge, my friend. But, after seeing your smile today, it was all worth it, in the end. I even gave you a petal from the Phoenix Flower plant, that should keep you safe, when all else can't."

Trixie opened the box with her magic and looked inside, seeing a new, darker version of her old costume. The cape was all black, with a feeling similar to silk, and the hat was much the same, save a sturdier material that she couldn't quite place at the rim of it.

"What's the rim made out of?" Trixie asked.

"Enchanted wood from the bark of my tree. I wrapped it in the cloth and made what you see." Zecora answered.

" That's amazing!" Trixie said, staring down at the hat. But then she had a thought,"But...what's the occasion? Why give it to me?"

At that, Zecora looked away, opting to head up into her tree before speaking. Trixie followed her inside.

When the two had finally sat down, she said, "This gift symbolizes my farewell, as it is time for you to leave. You must continue your journey. There is nothing more you can learn from me."

Trixie was shocked. "Wait. What? This...is a farewell gift? I'm leaving? But...but what about my lessons? What about the magic of potions?" she asked these questions as tears slowly welled up in her eyes.

"I have taught you all I can. You must move on. You will find another teacher. A better one." Zecora's gaze still refused to turn her way.

Trixie was all around crying now. "But...but I don't want a better teacher. You're the best, after all! Why would I leave you?"

"Do not mistake my intent, little one. I am not throwing you away. Did you forget your mission? Your journey does not end today. I have taught you all I know, and left you with a gift. Now go, before my false resolve lifts. I only ask one thing of you, my dear Trixie. Remember all the time we shared, and never forget me."

Trixie was bawling. How could this happen? And so soon too. Just when she was getting used to life with Zecora. No. Her mentor was right. It was time for her to move on. Regardless of her feelings, she still had a journey to finish. She had to find the witch. And it wasn't as if this was any easier for Zecora. She'd grown juts as attached to her, as she had to the poor zebra, and here she was being the one to do what needed to be done, instead of her. She probably dreaded this moment, but knew it would come eventually, so she's sucking it up and being strong because this was necessary. She had to go, and she would never forget the time she spent here, in this forest, with her.

"Alright. I understand. I'll...go get ready." She stood and left, going to the library to grab her things.

When she had finally returned, she found that her teacher was not there. So, she opted to look outside, only to find her looking out at the night sky as the moon rose. She looked over and spotted Trixie as she sat down next to her.

"Well, looks like I'm leaving." Trixie said as she stared at the stars as well.

"Yes, it would appear so. You don't know how badly it will hurt to see you go."

Trixie smiled despite her words. "Hey. Just think of it like this. You helped me become a better magic user. I can finally call myself a real mage now. I'm the way I am because of you, and that means that a part of you will always be with me, no matter where I go."

Zecora looked over at Trixie. This was the first time it had been her who had comforted her, instead of the other way around. She really had grown. up quite a lot since being with her. And that thought made her smile back.

"You are right, Trixie. Perhaps it is to early to cry. For we will see each other someday, you and I."

At that, Trixie got up, put on her new costume, hat and all, and walked a little ways before looking back and saying, "We sure will! Well, i'm off!"

And with that she turned back around, trotting off into the night and leaving her teacher to stare at her back as she did so.

"Safe travels, young mage. May your path be safe, and your days filled with life, even as you encounter more and more strife."