Team Star

Starlight leapt into the air, effortlessly avoiding the blast from Sunset. As teammates, they were intended to bring the best out in one another. And being that their skill levels were so evenly matched, they were great sparring partners.

“Is that the best you’ve got?” She teased. The grin on her face selling the all-in-good-fun nature of their fight.

In an instant Sunset was gone, and reappeared behind her. “Nope.” She said, blasting a wave of fire, singeing the end of Starlight’s tail. She quickly followed up with a gust of air to put it out. “You’ve got to keep your eyes on me, Starlight.”

Starlight huffed out a breath, “Whatever.” She chuckled. “I’m just tired from our late night training in the coliseum.” She explained her excuse.

“Sure you are.” Sunset chattered exaggeratedly.

The past few days had gone on: class, lunch, train, more class, and if you were particularly involved, you could volunteer your team for group training after school.

Team Star had signed up for almost every voluntary training, which left them all fatigued beyond belief.

“Miss Lulamoon?” A voice said from the courtyard bleachers. The four mates turned to face her, the Princess.

Trixie turned quickly, snapping her attention to the Alicorn calling for her. “Yes, yes… Princess Celestia… how can I help you?”

“I require your presence.” She said simply. The mare at her side in the blue cloak offering no emotion for the team to read. “Just you, alone, your teammates may continue their training.”

Cossette stood at the chamber door once more. It was guarded by the same stallion as before, though she feared him not. “Good Day, Starburst.” She said chipperly making her approach.

“It’s Sunburst. I’m not a candy.” He grumbled, her image scratching the memory of their recent encounter only a few days prior. “Hadn’t I told you not to return without a guide?”.

“Would one, Starswirl The Bearded, be an adequate guide?” She asked, her words drowning in snark.

Sunburst’s legs and spine stiffened at the mention of the renowned philosopher and magician. He racked his brain, what would Celestia say? Surely Starswirl had clearance, but this pony was evidently up to no good.

It was then that he took the corner, a stallion he’d only ever seen in passing. Famed and even fabled. “Mister Starswirl.” Sunburst bowed halfway before he looked up to face him.

“Rise boy! No need to bow before an equal. You are but a year from license and are already a royal guardian. Sunburst, I’ve heard much of you.” Starswirl said, he was polite, buttering him up. Though, Sunburst had always heard of his serious and unforgiving nature.

“And I much of you. Though, it is my duty to ask the reason for your visit. Your invitation was for days ago, and Celestia is not expecting you.”

“I beg to differ, young man!” He laughed, his voice horse from old age. “This mare is my recommendation for the seasonal study that is being conducted.” He spoke so certainly, and properly in the jargon.

Sunburst stalled a moment, scrunching his nose up his muzzle. “You mean, her?” He asked, absolutely refusing to believe a mare so demanding would be given the power of the Winter Maiden. Though, it was not his call to make, it was that of Celestia.

“Certainly.” Starswirl said finally.

Sunburst pulled a face, placing the hood over his head. “Celestia is not in her chamber. You are permitted to await her return, but your request to enter the seasonal study is denied.”

“You dare defy me, boy?” Starswirl shouted. There it was, his true colors. Sunburst was no fool.

“This is my jurisdiction, sir. With all due respect, I need not defy you if you have no authority within this school.”

“So, no offense…” Rainbow Dash began. “What even are your ‘talents’?”

Apple Jack and Pinkie Pie exchanged a knowing glance. She had a strange bigotry toward Earth Ponies, but it was not uncommon among Unicorns and Pegasi.

Apple Jack raised an eyebrow. “Did you not see me capture the manticore on my own?” She laughed dismissively. Standing in the court yard, she waltzed over to a table where two teams sat eating their lunch. Without an ounce of strain, she lifted the weighted table with 8 full-grown stallions seated on it. “Apologies fellas.”

They all grumbled as she gently placed them back where they’d once been. Rainbow’s mouth hung open.

“Ya’d better shut your trap, speed-racer, wouldn’t wanna catch flies.” She said sarcastically with a wink as she passed her.

All attention turned to Pinkie Pie, “I’d better keep mine a secret.” She said as she giggled.

The trio hummed in annoyance. “Oh c’mon.” Rainbow insisted.

Apple Jack joining in “Ya’ gotta show us now!”

Pinkie Pie laughed “where’s the fun in showing everybody your special talent, don’t you guys like surprises?” She was smiling ear-to-ear. “I love surprises!” Her body low, she pressed off the ground and began to hop around crazily. “It’s like a plot-twist but in real life!”

The three shared side-eyed glances. “Alright, alright.”

“Have you ever heard the fable of four maidens?” Celestia asked.

Trixie followed the pair in front of her, up the steps, toward the office, then back again, into a strangely shaped hallway. They found themselves inside an elevator, though Trixie had never seen an elevator inside the school before. “I guess I’ve heard it… as a filly.” She responded.

The cloaked mare let out a breath of laughter through her nose.

“I’d like you to know that story is all very true.” Celestia insisted. “A millennium ago, an Alicorn Princess blessed the power of the seasons to four ponies.”

“So… there are more Alicorns? Is that what you mean to tell me?” Trixie hummed, not sure the relevance of additional Alicorns.

“Well, yes.” Celestia said, “but that is not the point, as the Maidens are not necessarily Alicorns all of the time, sure some of them may be, but the action of becoming an Alicorn is completely independent from the maiden powers.”

Trixie took a deep breath. Growing uneasy and confused. “Right…Okay.”

Celestia huffed out “I know you have not always been the most skilled at magic, but you are crafty… and well, no pony would anticipate your possession of the maiden power.”

“Wait- whoa.” Trixie blurted out, “You’re telling me you want to give me… powers? Am I understanding you right? And mainly because you think… I suck?”

Celestia shook her head. “Perhaps my explanation wasn’t clear.” She sighed as the elevator door opened. “The maiden power is something that needs to be protected, and with training you could learn to hone the skill. I need a youthful pony that is malleable and has a strong support system. That is why I chose you.”

Trixie thought it over for only a moment, “Starlight and Sunset? What about them? They are like, on a whole other level…”

Celestia hummed as they walked out into a warehouse-like room. “Be that as it may, you are the pony I’ve chosen.”

Trixie looked up at her professor. “I’m not sure I understand. You think I’m a total loser… and that is the reason you chose me?”

“It is not exactly a ‘lack of skill’,” Celestia corrected, using much kinder words. “but a different skill entirely. Your ingenuity, your willingness to find a way to close the skill-gap.” Celestia insisted. “Ponies will not expect a pony with lower level magic skills to possess such power.”

Trixie hummed a tune of uncertainty. “Is this something I have a choice in?” She asked, not actually interested, or invested.

Celestia and the cloaked student exchanged glances. Humming, having expected this to be a more jovial conversation. “Unfortunately, the decision has been made.”