The Element of Empathy

~Eleanor's POV~

"Come on, Twilight, you can do it!" Spike encouraged Twilight with a smile.

Twilight nodded, "Okay, here goes."

She closed her eyes and her horn lit up in her magical aura. She raised her hand toward Spike and his muzzle sparkle with the magical aura, until a black mustache appeared. Twilight opened her eyes and Spike looked at the mustache before him.

I smiled and clapped my hands, while Spike smiled, "Ha ha! Ya did it!" He walked over to the checklist and checked an item off, "Growing magic, that's number twenty-five. Twenty-five different types of tricks and counting."

Twilight smiled bashfully.

Spike checked his new mustache in the mirror and smiled, "And I think this is the best trick so far." Then he acted swarve and cool, "Hello, Rarity. What's that? Aw, it's nothin', just my awesome mustache."

Twilight, Spike and I shared a laugh, until Twilight told Spike, "Sorry, Romeo. As attractive and enticing as you look, it's just for practice, and it's gotta go." Her horn lit up with her magical aura again.

"Wait!" Spike shouted, but the mustache glowed. Spike flinched, and the mustache vanished. Spike frowned, "Aw, rats."

Twilight and I lightheartedly giggled. With everything checked off the list for today, Twilight wondered what we should do next. My stomach growled, so I figured we grab a bite to eat at SugarCube Corner. My treat. Twilight and Spike agreed and we exit the Library, to make our way to SugarCube Corner.

"Twenty-five, Twilight." Spike smiled, "Twenty-five different kinds of tricks and counting." Then he wondered, "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." But then she wondered, "But what if a Unicorn's special talent is magic?"

I casually shrugged my shoulders, "Well, there's a reason Princess Celestia made you her star pupil. You're a prodigy, Twilight."

Spike nodded in agreement, "Right. And you know a ton of magic."

Twilight waved her hand in dismissal, "Oh, Spike, stop. I'm sure there are lots of Ponies, right here in Ponyville, that know just as much magic as me." She turned to me, "Take Ellie for instance."

I frowned and looked at my hands, "I still don't know how I'm able to harness magic, like you do, Twilight. It still scares me..."

Spike shook his head, "Are you two kiddin'? I don't think there's another Unicorn, or Human, in all of Equestria with your kind of abilities."

Suddenly, two Unicorn colts came charging toward us, "Gangway! Comin' through!"

The two colts charged past me and Twilight, but into Spike, dragging him along with him.

One of the colts was tall and slender built with large ears. His coat was a golden tan and his mane and tail were a grey-ish blue. He wore a buttoned shirt under a turquoise sweater-vest and tan pants.

The other colt was short and chubby built. His color scheme was the opposite of the other colt. Blue coat and golden tan mane and tail. He wore a black t-shirt and denim pants.

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

The Unicorn colts, Snips and Snails, came to a sudden stop, knocking Spike into a flowerbed.

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

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

Twilight and I tilted our heads in interest, "Really?"

Spike picked himself up and shook his head, "Aw, no way. That honor goes to Twilight here."

Twilight smiled and blushed bashfully, then asked the colts, "Where is this Unicorn?"

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

Snips smiled and hopped on the spot, "Yeah! Come on!" Then he followed after his friend, "Whooo!"

With that, Twilight, Spike and I followed the colts to the Town Square, to find a colorful, but plain-looking, travel cart parked in front of the Town Hall.

"Come one, come all!" A voice called from the cart, "Come and witness the amazing magic of the Great and Powerful Trixie!"

The cart unfolded into a small stage. In a poof of smoke, appeared a female Unicorn. Her fur was light blue, with white mane and tail with pale blue streaks. Her eyes were a light purple color and she wore a purple magicians hat and matching cape. A dark blue leotard with lace stockings and formal gloves.

The audience around us gasped in awe at her entrance.

"Watch in awe as the Great and Powerful Trixie performs the most spectacular feats of magic ever witnessed by Pony eyes!" The Unicorn, Trixie, declared, as she raised her hands into the air.

Fanfare music played and and fireworks shot into the air. I narrowed my eyes and folded my arms at the display. I was not impressed by this character.

"My, my, my! What boasting!" Rarity frowned.

Spike shook his head, "Come on, no Pony's as magical as Twi-- Twi-- Twi-- Oh!" He looked at Rarity, regained himself and cleared his throat, "Hey, Rarity, I, uh-- Mustache!" Then he ran off, much to Rarity's confusion.

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

Applejack shook her head, "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."

Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement, "Especially when ya got me around being better than the rest of us."

I glared at the prideful Pegasus, "Rainbow..."

Rainbow Dash looked at me, then corrected herself, "Eh, I mean, yeah, uh, magic shmagic. Boo!"

Trixie frowned and folded her arms, "Well, well, well, it seems we have some neigh-sayers in the audience." Then she challenged, "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 in agreement, "Yeah! Since we all know that Twilight here is--"

Twilight Sparkle quickly put her hand over Spike's muzzle, "Spike! Shhh!" Then she dragged me and Spike to the back of the crowd.

"What? What's wrong?" Spike asked Twilight.

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

I smiled and shook my head, "Twilight, you're not a show-off. Your magic is-"

Suddenly, Trixie's fanfare music and fireworks went off again, blocking what I was about to say next. Thanks Trixie! Thanks a bunch!

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

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

Then there was another display of fanfare music and fireworks. Only, this time, the fireworks displayed an image of a large bear in the sky. I folded my arms and raised a brow. That doesn't look like an Ursa Major...

"What?" Snips gasped.

"No way!" Snails gasped.

Using the fireworks, Trixie told her story, "When all hope was lost, the Ponies of Hoofington had no one to turn to, 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!"

"Saw-weet!" Snips and Snails smiled.

"That settles it." Snips spoke up.

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

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

I folded my arms and asked, "Then what about Princess Celestia and Princess Luna? Aren't they the most powerful of all Equestria?"

Snails glared at me, "What do you know? You're just a measly little Human."

My blood boiled under my skin, "How dare you..."

Spike stepped beside me and nodded, "How do you know? You didn't see it! And besides, Twi--"

Suddenly, Twilight used her magic to morph his mouth into a zipper and zipped his mouth shut, stopping him from speaking any more praise about her magical talents.

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

The crowd fell silent.

Trixie raised a brow, "Don't believe the Great and Powerful Trixie?" She chuckled, "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!?"

Another display of fanfare music and fireworks. My blood boiled in annoyance. Will you please stop with the fanfare and fireworks!? It's getting really annoying!!

Spike un-zipped his mouth and begged 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 turned her attention to the front of the crowd, "Hmm, how about you?"

Twilight swallowed a lump in her throat in fear.

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

Twilight looked away and rubbed her arm in uncertainty, "I-- I--"

Trixie turned to Applejack, "Well, little hayseed?"

Applejack growled in annoyance, "That's it! I can't stand for no more of this!"

"You show her, AJ!" Spike encouraged.

I glanced at Twilight. She looked frightened and uncertain of herself. Trixie's antics are getting the better of her. She thinks she's just like Trixie, if she used her magic.

Applejack climbed on to the stage and grabbed her lasso from her belt, "Can your magical powers do this?"

Then Applejack started doing impressive tricks with her lasso. Skipping and hopping through the lasso without losing her hoofing and used her lasso to grab a red gala apple, from a tree, and ate the apple. The crowd cheered at her performance.

Applejack smiled at Trixie, "Top that, missy."
Trixie waved her hand and removed her hat, to reveal her horn, "Oh, ye of little talent. Watch and be amazed at the magic of Trixie!"

With that, Trixie's horn lit up with her magical aura. Applejack's lasso came to life and started wiggling in front of Applejack. Simple telekinesis. The other end grabbed an apple from the tree and the tied around Applejack's hooves and tripped her onto her back and put the apple into her mouth. The crowd laughed and cheered at the performance and Applejack's misfortune.

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

Rainbow Dash flew over to the stage and folded her arms, "There's no need to go struttin' around and showin' off like that."

Trixie looked at the rainbow-themed Pegasus, "Oh?"

"That's my job!" Rainbow jabbed a thumb to her chest.

With that, she flew around the windmill at great speed and used the momentum to charge through a line of clouds. She dived down through the clouds, collecting droplets of water that followed after her, back to the windmill and back the stage. She came to a stop and the droplets crashed into her back, creating a rainbow over her head.

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

The audience cheered at the cyan Pegasus' performance.

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

With that, Trixie's horn lit up and she fired a beam of magic at the rainbow. The rainbow twirled itself around Rainbow Dash and began spinning her around. The rainbow took her into the air, still spinning and eventually landed her, head-first, on the ground. Then the rainbow vanished into the sky.

"I think I'm gonna be sick." Rainbow Dash gulped with dizzy eyes. Applejack helped Rainbow Dash to her hooves.

"Seems like any pony with a dash of good sense would think twice before tussling with the Great Trixie." Trixie smirked, as her horn lit up again and she summoned a small thunder cloud.

The thunder cloud floated behind and lightning struck Rainbow Dash, "Ow!"

The crowd laughed at Rainbow Dash's misfortune. My blood boiled even further, but I tried to keep myself composed.

Remember what happened last time, Ellie. No good will come if you lose your temper now...

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

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

Applejack nodded with a smile, "A real Unicorn to Unicorn tussle."

Twilight Sparkle's eyes darted around in uncertainty, "Uh..."

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 mocked, pointing to Rarity's mane.

Rarity frowned, "Oh, it. Is. On!" She marched onto the stage and around the Unicorn performer, "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."

Rarity lit up her horn with her magical aura and the curtain of the stage removed itself from the rail and spun around the fashionista, creating a beautiful Greek dress with a golden trim, and Rarity's mane styled into a fancy bun, "A Unicorn needs to have style."

The audience 'ooh'ed at Rarity's display of talents and style.

Rarity smiled proudly, "A Unicorn is not a Unicorn without grace and beauty."

Trixie smirked and lit up her horn again. A chill ran down my spine about this one.

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

Suddenly in a flash of light, everyone gasped at the result of Trixie's spell on Rarity's mane.

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

Twilight shook her head, "Nothing."

"It's fine." Rainbow Dash quickly answered.

"It's gorgeous." Applejack defended.

"It's green." Spike answered with all honesty.

Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and I glared at the young dragon, "Spike!"

"What?" Spike asked in confusion.

But Spike wasn't lying. Trixie turned Rarity's mane into a shade of green that looked like it was made of seaweed or moss. This made my blood boil even more, it was burning my bones. But I kept my composure.

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

Spike nudged Twilight's hip, "Well Twilight, guess it's up to you." The other Ponies looked at her, "Come on, show her what you're made of."

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

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

Twilight shook her head again, "I'm not better than anyone."

This caught Trixie's attention, as she laughed and turned to my friend, "Hah! You think you're better than the Great and Powerful Trixie? You think you have more magical talent? Well, come on, show Trixie what you've got. Show us all."

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

Then she ran off to the library. I reached out to her, "Twilight, wait." But she was already out of reach and gone.

Trixie smiled and laughed, "Ha! Once again, the Great and Powerful Trixie has proven herself to be the most amazing Unicorn in all of Equestria."

That was it! That was my breaking point from all of this! I marched onto the stage and walked over to the boastful Unicorn, "Just who in the name of Hell do you think you are?!"

Everypony gasped at my words. I didn't care. I was so angry I could punch someone in the face and scream.

"You think you're the most powerful Unicorn in all of Equestria, Trixie? What you've proved here is that you're nothing more than a bully and a jerk." I told the blue Unicorn, "I should know, I've met Ponies like you. Nothing but brutish methods and boastful behavior. You're not great and powerful. Hell, you're not even that talented. You're just a child with shiny new ribbons."

Trixie looked at me and glared. She pushed me away from her, causing me to lose my balance and fall onto the stage.

"How dare you speak out of terms!" She shouted, "You're nothing but a measly little human. Before your people were wiped out, you humans were slaves to the great and powerful Ponykind. And do you know what happened to slaves that stepped out of line, like you?"

She smirked and lit up her horn. She summoned the same storm cloud that attacked Rainbow Dash and moved it over my head. I picked myself up to my feet and started running from the cloud. The cloud quickly followed after me, as I ran off the stage and down the streets of Ponyville.

*Later that Night...*

I finally got rid of the thunder cloud that was chasing me all day. All it took was a little bit of magic to dispel it and make it poof back into nothing. Boy, am I exhausted.

I walked into the library and sighed. Then I sensed a lot of negativity within the room. Spike was nowhere to be seen and Twilight was reading a book on her bookstand.

I took a step back, "Whoa... What's all the negativity in here? It feels like there was a fight went off in here."

Twilight sighed, "Spike was trying to convince me that showing off my magical talents would not make me like Trixie."

I folded my arms, "And you ignored him?" I walked over to the lavender Unicorn, "Twilight, sometimes you've got to listen to those around you. There's a huge difference between you and Trixie. She's a boastful bully. You're humble and helpful. You use magic to help others. Trixie uses magic to show off. Completely different."

Twilight said nothing and resumed reading her book. I balled my hands into fists and growled in anger and frustration. This isn't the first time Twilight Sparkle has ignored my when I was right. Sometimes I don't know why I bother to speak, when not even my best friend listens to me.

Suddenly, Spike came running into the room, catching his breath, "Twilight! Ellie! You've gotta come! Quick!"

Twilight shook her head, "I already told you, Spike, I don't wanna show up Trixie!"

"What's wrong, Spike?" I asked, sensing his urgency.

Suddenly, there was a loud roar coming from outside of the library, alarming Twilight, Spike and myself. It sounded like a...

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

Spike nodded, "Majorly."

Spike grabbed Twilight and my hands and we dashed outside the find the citizens of Ponyville were running away from something. Well, except for Snips, Snails and Trixie.

"What's going on?" Twilight asked Snips and Snails.

"We brought an Ursa to town." Snips answered casually.

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

Snails shook his head with a smile, "Don't worry, the Great and Powerful Trixie will vanquish it."

Trixie, who was wearing a light pink nightgown lowered her head, "I can't."

"What!?" Snips and Snails gasped.

"Oh, 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 gasped again.

The creature, a large blue Ursa, emerged from behind the house behind us. Twilight, Trixie, Snips, Snails and Spike froze in fright, as did the other Ponies in Ponyville. But I raised a brow and looked at the Ursa. I felt something different about this Ursa.

I looked at my friends and looked at the Ursa. As much as I'm uncertain how much magic I can control, I have to show Twilight that there is a difference between her and Trixie, and show Trixie that I am more than just a low human.

I walked over to the Ursa. The Ursa roared at me, but I stood my ground. I reached my hand up to touch its nose and started singing.

~Twilight Sparkle's POV~

Ellie walked over to the Ursa. The Ursa roared at her, but she stood her ground. Ellie is either very brave, or very stupid to think she can take on an Ursa that size. She's just a human, she doesn't know enough magic to face this creature. I would step in a defend my best friend, but I don't want to be like Trixie.

Then Eleanor raised her hand and put it over the Ursa's nose. A calming music filled the air and Ellie started singing in a foreign language.

As she sang, her body was enveloped by a mystical blue flame, as was the Ursa. The Ursa looked like was about to fall asleep. Eleanor raised both her hands into the air and the mystical aura lifted the Ursa into the air, rocking it softly. A large bottle of milk appeared in the air and moved itself toward the Ursa. The Ursa took the bottle and started drinking, drifting off to sleep.

The mystical aura grew stronger, as Eleanor waved her hands over her head and resumed singing. The aura transported deep into the Everfree Forest, into a large cave on the other side.

The song was over and the mystical aura faded away. Ellie lowered her arms and looked like was about to topple over. I quickly ran over to my best friend and caught her before she hit the ground.

Eleanor opened her eyes and looked at me, "Twilight Sparkle?"

I smiled and hugged my best friend close to my chest. I was relieved my best friend was okay.

~Eleanor's POV~

Twilight smiled and hugged me very tightly. I hesitated for a second, but hugged her back. I thought I would've lost control for a second there. That was some very powerful magic I used. But I was able to get the Ursa Minor safely back home without harming him.

Then there was the sound of cheering coming from behind us. Twilight and I turned and saw Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity and the other citizens of Ponyville applauding and cheering.

"Unbelievable!" Rainbow Dash cheered with a smile.

Spike clapped his hands, "That was amazing!"

"Heavens to Betsy!" Applejack gasped with a smile, "We knew you had ability, but not that much!"

Twilight hugged me close, "Please, please don't hate us."

"Hate you?" Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash repeated in confusion.

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

Twilight lowered her head, "Well, I know how much you all hated Trixie's showing off with her magic tricks, and I just thought--"

Rainbow Dash cut the lavender Unicorn off, "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Magic's got nothing to do with it. Trixie's just a loudmouth."

Rarity nodded n agreement, "Most unpleasant."

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

I smiled, "Like I've been trying to tell you, Twi."

Twilight raised her head slightly, "So, you won't mind my magic tricks?

"Your magic is a part of who you are, Sugarcube, and we like who you are." Applejack smiled, "We're proud to have such a powerful, talented Unicorn, and a powerful sorcerer as our friends."

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

Twilight's eyes brightened up, "You are?"

Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity nodded. Twilight smiled and looked at me. I smiled back and picked myself up back to my feet.

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

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

"That was just a baby?" Trixie gasped in shock.

"And it wasn't rampaging, it was just cranky because someone woke it up." I explained, glancing at Snips and Snails.

The other Ponies turned and glared at the two Unicorn colts. The colts shrunk down, "Aaaawww...."

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

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

Trixie walked over to me and smirked, "Your puny human magic may have vanquished an Ursa Minor, but you will never have the amazing, show-stopping ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie!"

She threw a smoke bomb to the ground and ran off out of town.

"Why that little..." Rainbow Dash growled, then took off into the air to follow after her.

Twilight waved her hand, "Just let her go. Maybe someday she'll learn her lesson."

I nodded in agreement, and then turned to the two retreating colts, "Now, about you two."

Snips let out a nervous laugh, "Uh, we're sorry that we woke up the Ursa Minor."

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

Snips nodded in agreement, "Yeah! And the way you vanquished that Ursa Minor was awesome!"

I narrowed my eyes at the colts and folded my arms in disappointment. That's no excuse for nearly destroying the town. Snips and Snails lowered themselves to the ground, "We deserve whatever punishment you give us." Snails told me.

I turned to what was left of Trixie's stage, "For starters, you can clean up this mess."

Twilight raised a finger and smirked, "And... What do you think, Spike? Should I give them number twenty five?"

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

Snips and Snails raised a brow, "Yeah?"

Twilight and I smirked, "I think you're right."

Twilight's horn lit up with her magical aura and Snips, Snails and Spike grew mustaches.

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 showoff 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....'

"So, you finally admit that you're the most talented Unicorn in all of Ponyville?" Spike asked, as he returned from his time with Rarity.

Twilight nodded with a smile, and glanced at me, "Well, yeah. As long as a certain learns to accept her magical abilities too."

I gave out a lighthearted giggle, then asked Spike, "So, how did it go with Rarity?"

Spike lowered his head and sighed, "Eh, she didn't go for the mustache."

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

Spike brightened up and smiled, "Or... Maybe the mustache wasn't enough. Maybe if I had a mustache and a beard?"

Twilight and I rolled our eyes, "Uh, not this again!"

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

I let out a giggle, but my happiness faded as I thought about what Trixie said. Where humans in Equestria slaves before they were wiped out? Or did Trixie say that to get under my skin? I need to talk to Princess Celestia about this...