The Sisters of Empathy and Trust

Eleanor's POV.
"Come on, Twilight, you can do it!" Spike encouraged Twilight.

Twilight nodded, "Okay, here goes."

She closed her eyes and her horn glowed in her magical aura. The same aura appeared around Spike's muzzle and a black mustache grew in its place.

Spike smiled, "Ha ha! Ya did it!" He drew a check mark on the list, "Growing magic, that's number twenty-five. Twenty-five different types of tricks and counting."

Twilight smiled bashfully. I clapped my hooves with a smile, "Well done, Twilight."

Twilight, Spike and I have been spending the day learning new spells and putting them to practice. Ponyville has been well behaved, so we deserve a bit of a break. After what happened with Gilda. Geez, that girl can't take a joke.

Spike checked out his mustache in the mirror, "And I think this is the best trick so far." Then acted suave, "Hello, Rarity. What's that? Aw, it's nothin', just my awesome mustache." Then chuckled in humor.

"Sorry, Romeo. As attractive and enticing as you look, it's just for practice, and it's gotta go." Twilight told the young Dragon, as she closed her eyes and her horn glowed again.

"Wait!" Spike cried. The aura appeared around the mustache and Spike flinched. The mustache disappeared and Spike sighed, "Aw, rats."

Twilight gave a light giggle. With that, we decided to take a break from the practicing and take a walk around town.

"Twenty-five, Twilight. Twenty-five different kinds of tricks and counting." Spike exclaimed, as Twilight smiled proudly, "I thought unicorns were only supposed to have a little magic that matches their special talents."

Twilight nodded, "True, for ponies whose talents are for things like cooking or singing or math." Then wondered, "But what if a unicorn's special talent is magic?"

"Well, there is a reason Princess Celestia made you her protégé." I pointed out, "You know a ton of magic."

Twilight blushed, "Oh, stop it. I'm sure there are lots of ponies right here in Ponyville that know just as much magic as me."

"Are you kiddin'?" Spike exclaimed, "I don't think there's another Unicorn in all of Equestria with your kind of ability, Twilight. Ellie's got a very good point."

Then a goofy-sounding voice shouted, "Gangway! Comin' through!"

Two Unicorn colts came charging toward us. One was tall and skinny, while the other was short and stout.

The tall one's fur coat was a light brown and his mane and tail were a greyish cyan. The short one shared the colors, but reversed. As in his mane and tail are light brown and his coat is a greyish cyan.

As for their Cutie Marks, the tall one's was a snail and the short one's was a pair of scissors.

The two colts charged into Spike.

"Snips, Snails! What's goin' on?" Spike asked.

Snips and Snails came to a stop, knocking Spike onto his back.

"Wha, haven't you heard?" Snails, the tall one, asked, "There's a new Unicorn in town!"

Snips, the short one, nodded, "Yeah! They say that she's got more magical powers than any other Unicorn ever!"

"Really?" Twilight and I asked.

Spike recovered and shook his head, "Aw, no way, that honor goes to Twilight here."

Snips and Snails turned to Twilight, who blushed. Then she asked, "Where is this Unicorn?"

"Ho, she's in the Town Square. Come on!" Snails answered, then ran off to the Town Square.

Snips nodded, "Yeah! Come on!" Then he ran off, "Whooo!"

Twilight, Spike and I looked at each other, then followed after the colts. Parked in the Town Square, in front of the Town Hall, was a small travelling carriage. Very plain-looking.

"Come one, come all! Come and witness the amazing magic of the Great and Powerful Trixie!" A mare's voice announced, as the carriage unfolded into a colorful, but still plain stage.

In a poof of smoke, a young mare appeared. She was around the same age as Twilight and I. Her color scheme was all blue. Her coat was a light greyish blue. Her mane and leonine tail were almost white with pastel blue streaks.

She wore a light purple magicians hat over her head. A matching cape.

The audience 'ooh'ed and 'awe'ed at the mare's presence.

"Watch in awe as the Great and Powerful Trixie performs the most spectacular feats of magic ever witnessed by pony eyes!" The mare announced, as fireworks launched colorful displays upon the stage.

Rarity rolled her eyes, "My, my, my! What boasting!"

Spike nodded, "Come on, no pony's as magical as Twi--" Then he noticed Rarity next to him, then he acted all shy, "Twi-- Twi-- Oh! Hey, Rarity, I, uh-- Mustache!" Then he dashed off.

"There's nothing wrong with being talented, is there?" Twilight asked.

Applejack shook her head, as Trixie made a bouquet of flowers appear, "Nothin' at all, 'cept in when someone goes around showin' it off like a school filly with fancy new ribbons."

Rarity nodded in agreement, "Just because one has the ability to perform lots of magic does not make one better than the rest of us."

Twilight looked away, doubtful and ashamed.

"There's a big difference between humility and a big ego." I spoke up, "Showing off just inflates your ego. It does not make you humble."

"Especially when ya got me around being better than the rest of us." Dash boasted with a smile, jabbing her chest with her thumb. Applejack glared at her and Rainbow corrected her words, "Eh, I mean, yeah, uh, magic shmagic. Boo!"

Trixie must have heard us, 'cause she glared, "Well, well, well, it seems we have some neighsayers in the audience. Who is so ignorant as to challenge the magical ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie? Do they not know that they're in the presence of the most magical Unicorn in all of Equestria?"

Rarity blew a raspberry, "Just who does she think she is?"

Spike nodded, as he returned, "Yeah! Since we all know that Twilight here is--"

Twilight quickly covered his muzzle, "Spike! Shhh!"

She took Spike and sneaked to the back of the audience. "What? What's wrong?" Spike asked in a whisper.

"You see the way they reacted to Trixie?" Twilight pointed, "I don't want anyone thinking I'm a show-off."

I shook my head, "Twilight, you're-"

Trixie's fanfare cut me off, as it startled me to silence. Thanks a lot, crazy mare!

Rainbow Dash flew to Trixie, "So, 'Great and Powerful Trixie'. What makes you think you're so awesome, anyway?"

Trixie chuckled with a smirk, "Heh, why, only the Great and Powerful Trixie has magic strong enough to vanquish the dreaded Ursa Major!"

The fanfare went off again and the fireworks drew a picture of a large bear with a star on its forehead.

Everypony gasped in awe.

"What?" "No way!" Snips and Snails gasped.

"When all hope was lost, the ponies of Hoofington had no one to turn to..." Trixie told her story, as the fireworks drew a picture of her fighting the bear, "But the Great and Powerful Trixie stepped in, and with her awesome magic, vanquished the Ursa Major and sent it back to its cave deep within the Everfree Forest!"

Snips and Snails smiled, "Sawweet!"

Snips smiled, "That settles it."

Snails nodded, "Trixie truly is the most talented, the most magical, the most awesome Unicorn in Ponyville."

Snips shook his head, "No, in all of Equestria!"

I tilted my head and raised a brow, "Is that counting Princess Celestia and Princess Luna?"

Snips and Snails looked unsure how to answer.

Then Spike spoke up, "How do you know? You didn't see it! And besides, Twi-"

However Twilight used her magic to morph his mouth into a zipper and zipped his mouth closed.

Trixie laughed, "It's true, my enthusiastic little admirers. Trixie is most certainly the best in Ponyville."

Everyone fell silent.

"Don't believe the Great and Powerful Trixie?" Trixie asked, then smirked, "Well then, I hereby challenge you, Ponyvillians -- anything you can do, I can do better. Any takers? Anyone? Hmm? Or is Trixie destined to be the greatest equine who has ever lived!?"

Her fanfare went off again, startling me stiff.

Spike unzipped his mouth and pleaded Twilight, "Please! She's unbearable! Ya gotta show her! Ya just gotta!"

Twilight shook her head, "There's no way I'm going to use my magic now, Spike. Especially since--"

Trixie cut her off and pointed, "Hmm, how about you!"

Twilight gulped in nervousness.

"Well, how about it? Hm?" Trixie asked, "Is there anything you can do that the Great and Powerful Trixie can't?"

"I-- I--" Twilight stuttered...

But Trixie was talking to Applejack, "Well, little hayseed?"

Applejack marched toward the stage, "That's it! I can't stand for no more of this!"

"You show her, AJ!" Spike encouraged.

Applejack grabbed her lasso, from her belt, "Can your magical powers do this?"

She spun the lasso and began performing amazing tricks. She finished by grabbing an apple and eating it without breaking a sweat.

Everypony cheered at Applejack's amazing show of talent.

Applejack crossed her arms and hooves at Trixie, "Top that, missy."

Trixie smirked, "Oh ye of little talent." Then she removed her hat to reveal she was a Unicorn, "Watch and be amazed at the magic of Trixie!"

The rope on the stage started moving under the influence of Trixie's magic.

Simple telekinesis.

It moved in the motion of a snake, distracting Applejack, while the other end grabbed an apple from the same tree. The first end tied around Applejack's hands and tied them to her hooves. The rope threw her to the ground and put the apple into her mouth.

The audience cheered and laugh. Seeing that humiliation made my blood boil. I didn't notice my ruby pendant around my neck glowing for a second.

"Once again, the Great and Powerful Trixie prevails." Trixie smirked.

Rainbow Dash flew up to her, "There's no need to go struttin' around and showin' off like that."

Trixie looked at her, "Oh?"

Rainbow puffed her chest proudly, "That's my job!"

With that, she flew off toward the windmill and used it to gain speed. She took off into the sky and pierced through a group of clouds. She dove through the clouds again, collecting drops of water, then used the mill to the stage. She stopped and the water drops created a rainbow above her head.

Rainbow smiled, "They don't call me 'Rainbow' and 'Dash' for nothin'!"

The crowd cheered at her display.

Trixie scoffed, "When Trixie is through, the only thing they'll call you is 'Loser'."

Her horn glowed and Trixie cast a spell on the rainbow. The rainbow turned on Rainbow Dash and started spinning her around at great speeds. Rainbow flew around in a spin and she landed on the ground.

"I think I'm gonna be sick." Rainbow gulped. Free from the ropes, Applejack helped her to her hooves.

Trixie chuckled, "Seems like any pony with a dash of good sense would think twice before tussling with the Great Trixie."

She created a small thunder cloud and lightning struck Rainbow on her tail. I jumped with a squeak.

"Ow!" Rainbow yelped.

Everypony laughed at Rainbow, along with Trixie. My anger boiled again.

"What we need is another Unicorn to challenge her." Spike spoke up, nudging Twilight, "Someone with some magic of her own."

Rainbow Dash nodded, "Yeah! A Unicorn to show this Unicorn who's boss."

Applejack nodded in agreement, "A real Unicorn-to-Unicorn tussle."

Twilight looked unsure. Then Rarity stepped forward, "Enough. Enough, all of you. I take your hint, but Rarity is above such nonsense.' Rainbow Dash and Applejack may behave like ruffians, but Rarity conducts herself with beauty and grace."

"Ooo, what's the matter? Afraid you'll get a hair out of place in that rat's nest you call a mane?" Trixie taunted.

That triggered Rarity's temper, "Oh, it. Is. On!" She walked onto the stage, "You may think you're tough with all of your so-called powers, but there's more to magic than your brutish ways. A Unicorn needs to be more than just muscle."

Her horn glowed and the curtain from the stage flew around her, "A Unicorn needs to have style." In a flash, the curtain became an elegant dress, her mane styled to match, "A Unicorn is not a Unicorn without grace and beauty."

Everypony was in awe of her work. Trixie scowled, then her horn glowed.

"Rarity won't let Trixie get the best of her!" Spike stood up, "She's strong, she's beautiful, she's--"

In a flash of magic, Spike was stopped short. Everypony gasped over what Trixie has just done. I'm sorry, even I can't describe what has happened.

"Quick! I need a mirror! Get me a mirror! What did she do to my hair? I know she did something terrible to my hair!" Rarity cried.

"Nothing." Twilight quickly answered.

"It's fine." Rainbow Dash smiled.

Applejack nodded, "It's gorgeous."

But Spike was blatant, "It's green."

I glared at the young dragon, "Spike!"

Spike looked at me, "What?"

Rarity gasped, "Ugh, no. Green hair! Not green hair!" She cried and ran off, "Such an awful, awful color!"

That made my blood boil like it was in a kettle. My ruby glowed brightly, but I decided to try and keep my cool and glare at the Unicorn mare.

Spike turned to Twilight, "Well Twilight, guess it's up to you. Come on, show her what you're made of."

Twilight quickly shook her head, "What do you mean? I'm nothing special."

"Yes, you are!" Spike argued, "You're better than her!"

"I'm not better than anyone." She interjected.

Trixie smirked, "Hah! You think you're better than the Great and Powerful Trixie? You think you have more magical talent?" Then dared, "Well, come on, show Trixie what you've got. Show us all."

Everypony looked at Twilight.

"Who, me? I'm just your run-of-the-mill citizen of Ponyville. No powerful magic here." Twilight quickly defended, "I, uh... I think I hear my laundry calling. Sorry, gotta go."

With that, she ran home.

"Twilight!" I called after her, but she was gone.

"What about you, Miss. Nightmare?" Trixie asked, gesturing to me. I turned to her with an icy glare, "What can you do that I can prove to do better?"

I glared at the showpony and raised a brow at her. Then I smirked, "I'm taller than you."

Everypony 'ooohhh'ed over me about the burn and Trixie glared at me. Her horn glowed and she used her magic to light up a firecracker spark at my hooves. I squeaked in startle and curled up in ball.

Trixie laughed, "Ha! Once again, the Great and Powerful Trixie has proven herself to be the most amazing unicorn in all of Equestria." Then she turned and left, "Huh, was there ever any doubt?"

I glared at Trixie with my anger burning inferno in my heart.

How dare a mare to think she could do measly tricks automatically makes her superior than other talents?! That's not on! Whatever happened to humility?!

No, Ellie. You can't let your anger control you. Remember what happened last time. You don't want it to happen again.

*Later that night, in the Golden Oak Library...*
"Twilight, would you put down that book and just listen to me?" Spike asked Twilight, who was reading a book on magical creatures.

"Didn't you see how they hated Trixie's bragging, Spike?" She asked, "If I go out there and show off my magic, I run the risk of losing them as friends."

"It's not the same thing, Twilight." Spike argued, "You'll be using your magic to stand up for your friends!"

"No, Spike, it's exactly the same." She pointed out.

"It's not the same, Twilight." I shouted, "Trixie's bragging and boasting. You using magic is humble and modest. There's a huge difference between ego and humility."

"There is no difference." She told me.

"Come on, Twilight. Ellie's right. Any one of these tricks, even the teeniest, would be enough to show up Trixie." Spike encouraged.

"I don't want to be seen as a bragger like Trixie." Twilight insisted.

Then she used her magic to create a door and slammed it in mine and Spike's faces, "Ow..."

Spike opened the door and argued, "But you're the best!"

Twilight sighed, "Uh. Please, Spike, I said no!"

Spike sighed in defeat, "If that's the way you want to be, then fine."

He slammed the door, but realized which door he slammed and walked out of the library. Twilight sighed and sulked.

"Twilight, sometimes you really gotta listen to me." I told her, "There's a huge difference between you and Trixie. You're not a show-off. You're smart, modest, and kind. Trixie is just a bragger and full of her ego."

"That still doesn't stop me from becoming like her." She pointed out.

I growled in frustration, which merged into my burning anger. I walked into the bedroom and walked on to the balcony to try and meditate my anger away.

It was working, until I heard screaming and roaring. Snips and Snails ran passed the tree and Spike entered in a hurry. I ran into the library to see what this was about.

"Twilight! You've gotta come! Quick!" Spike shouted.

Twilight glared at him, "I already told you, Spike, I don't wanna show up Trixie!"

Spike shook his head, "No, you don't understand, it's--"

A loud roar echoed across town and caught Twilight's attention.

"Uh, is that what I think it is?" She asked.

Spike nodded, "Majorly."

Twilight, Spike and I left the library and entered town. The ponyfolk were evacuating the town. The only ones that didn't leave were Trixie, Snips and Snails.

"What's going on?" Twilight asked.

"We brought an Ursa to town." Snips answered with a smile.

"You what!?!" Twilight and I exclaimed in shock and unison. Are they nuts?!

"Don't worry, the Great and Powerful Trixie will vanquish it." Snails assured.

We looked at Trixie, who was standing in front of us without her hat and cape, and wearing a lavender nightgown.

She sulked, "I can't."

"What!?" Snips and Snails exclaimed.

"I can't, I never have." Trixie admitted, "No one can vanquish an Ursa Major. I just made the whole story up to make me look better."

"Made it up!?" Snips and Snails exclaimed again.

The ground shook. We turned and saw a large blue bear with a starry fur coat approaching us, standing on its hind legs. Twilight hid behind me. The Ursa roared. I narrowed my eyes at it and thought for a second. That's not an Ursa Major, but it is close.

Spike nudged Twilight. Twilight shook her head. She still didn't want to feel like she was showing off.

Aaarrgghh!

My blood reached past the boiling point and I marched forward, "That's it!"

Twilight Sparkle's POV.
Ellie marched toward the large bear.

"Ellie! What are you doing?" I asked her, cautious and worried.

Ellie didn't answer and stood in front of the Ursa. The Ursa roared at her, but the angry human stood her ground. The ruby around her neck started to glow brightly.

Ellie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. A spiritual blue, flame-like magical aura surrounded Ellie's body. The wind picked up and music started playing. Ellie sang in a weird language.

The Ursa listened to Ellie's song and began to fall asleep. The aura around Ellie intensified, as it circled around her like a circle of flame. Ellie opened her eyes as he Cutie Mark was enveloped in the magic aura, and her eyes were glowing white and emitting a magic mist.

(https://www.deviantart.com/orin331/art/Earthponies-can-t-use-magic-729266823)

A large bottle of milk appear and the aura levitated the Ursa into the air. The bottle floated toward the bear and the aura transported it back into the Everfree Forest.

The song ended and the aura faded. Ellie looked like she was about to topple over. I quickly ran toward the ravenette pony and caught her, just as soon as she fell, "Ellie!"

Ellie opened her eyes and looked at me with her hazel bat-like eyes, "Twilight?"

I smiled in relief and hugged my best friend. Everypony cheered and applaud at the performance incredible magic.

"Unbelievable!" Rainbow Dash cheered.

Spike smiled at Ellie, "That was amazing!"

Applejack nodded in agreement, "Heavens to Betsy! We didn't know an bat pony can use that kind of magic!"

Ellie smiled in humility. Who knew so much power can be summoned by a tall bat pony? It's no wonder she has wisps in her Cutie Mark.

Then my heart dropped in worry, "Please, please don't hate Ellie." I pleaded, hugging my best friend close.

"Hate Ellie?" Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash exclaimed with smiles.

"Why, whatever do you mean, darling?" Rarity asked.

"Well, I know how much you all hated Trixie's showing off with her magic tricks, and I just thought--" I began my explanation, but Rainbow Dash cut her off, "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Magic's got nothing to do with it. Trixie's just a loudmouth."

Rarity nodded, "Most unpleasant."

Applejack nodded as well, "All hat and no cattle."

"So, you won't mind my magic tricks?" I asked in uncertainty.

Applejack shook her head, "Your magic is a part of who you are, SugarCube, and we like who you are." She smiled, "We're proud to have such a powerful, talented unicorn and a special earth pony as our friends."

"And after whuppin' that Ursa's hind quarters, we're even prouder." Rainbow added.

I regained my smile, "You are?"

The three girls nodded in unison and agreement.

Eleanor's POV.
Twilight smiled and threw her arms around me. I smiled back and giggled with a blush.

"Wow, Ellie, how'd you know what to do with that Ursa Major?" Spike asked me.

"I didn't." I answered.

"What?" Everypony exclaimed in unison.

"I sensed the emotions of the little guy and followed my gut instinct." I explained.

"That's funny. I was reading up on them." Twilight looked at me, "You really are empathic."

"So it is possible to vanquish an Ursa Major all by yourself?" Spike asked.

I shook my head, "That wasn't an Ursa Major, it was just a baby, an Ursa Minor."

"That was just a baby?" Trixie exclaimed from behind the crowd.

I nodded, "And he wasn't rampaging, he was just a little grumpy because someone woke him up." I glanced at the Unicorn colts.

Everypony looked at Snips and Snails. Snips and Snails shrunk themselves in embarrassment.

"Well, if that was an Ursa Minor, then what's an Ursa Major like?" Spike asked.

I shook my head, "You really don't wanna know."

Trixie laughed and walked up to me, "Huh. You may have vanquished an Ursa Minor, but you will never have the amazing, show-stopping ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie!"

My anger reached its peak, "Oh, for the love of..." I walked over to the bragging Unicorn, "I've had just about enough of your boasting, Trixie Lulamoon!" I towered over her, "Nopony cares about your magical prowess. Nopony gives a dang about your talents. Ego crushes confidence and that leads to ponies thinking they're nothing but fucking dust!"

"Ellie!" I heard Rarity gasp.

"Until you learn about the meaning of humility, I'd suggest you make like a tree and leave!" I told Trixie.

Scared, she threw a smoke bomb and vanished.

"Remind me to never get on your bad side, Ellie." Rainbow noted.

I returned to my shy demeanor, with my anger gone, "I hope I didn't go too far. That was building up all day."

Twilight shook her head, "Maybe someday she'll learn her lesson." Then turned to Snips and Snails, "Now, about you two."

Snips nervously chuckled, "Uh, we're sorry that we woke up the Ursa Minor."

Snails nodded, "We just wanted to see some awesome magic."

Snips nodded with a smile, "Yeah!" Then turned to me, "And the way you vanquished that Ursa Minor was awesome!"

I folded my arms and gave a disapproving glare at the colts.

Snails and Snips bowed to their knees. "We deserve whatever punishment you give us." Snails told Twilight and I.

"For starters, you can clean up this mess." Twilight started, looking at Trixie's trashed carriage. Then smiled at Spike, "And... What do you think, Spike? Should I give them number twenty five?"

Spike smirked, "Oh, twenty five! Yes!" Then added, "And I think I deserve it, too."

Snips and Snails raised a brow, "Heah?"

I smirked and nodded, "I agree with Spike. It'll be cool."

Twilight closed her eyes and her horn glowed. An aura appeared around Snips, Snails and Spike's muzzles and each of them grew a different styled mustache.

Snips, Snails and Spike smiled, "Sweet."

*The Next Morning...*

'Dear Princess Celestia,
I have learned a very valuable lesson about friendship: I was so afraid of being thought of as a show-off that I was hiding a part of who I am. My friends helped me realize that it's okay to be proud of your talents, and there are times when it's appropriate to show them off... Especially when you're standing up for your friends.'

Twilight finished writing her letter to Princess Celestia.

"So, you finally admit that you're the most talented unicorn in all of Ponyville?" Spike asked, his mustache still on his muzzle.

Twilight thought for a second, then answered with a smile, "Well, yeah, but it's nothing to brag about." Then asked, "So, uh, how did it go with Rarity?"

Spike sulked, "Eh, she didn't go for the mustache."

Twilight smiled at him, "You know, Spike, that mustache has nothing to do with who you really are. Maybe you should just try being yourself."

Spike twisted his mustache in thought, "Or... Maybe the mustache wasn't enough. Maybe if I had a mustache and a beard?"

Twilight sighed in annoyance, "Uh, not this again!"

"Okay, imagine me with a nice, long, Fu Manchu type beard. Or maybe a goatee." Spike started requesting, "Oh, no a soul-patch right on my chin!"

I giggled and sent the letter to Celestia.