Team Star

Trixie stood facing the glowing cylinder, that could’ve been straight out of a science fiction novel. “Can you at least tell me what kind of power we’re talking about here?” She asked, eyes like windows on a winter’s morning. “See- one day, I’m an average street magician in secondary school, and the next you’re telling me I’m going to be the Winter Maiden. Which, up until a few minutes ago, I thought was a fairy tale meant to teach kids about the joys of kindness or some malarkey…”

The hooded student then disrobed. She was slender, with wings that sat evenly folded to her sides.

Though, it was a common misconception that the top-of-their-class senior team was entirely composed of unicorns, it was now evident that that was not the case. Her eyes then began to glow out the sides, a purplish flame. Without a a flap of her wings, she lifted off the ground. It was unlike anything Trixie had ever seen. As she rose, a soft, twinkling breeze fluttered about her. Growing stronger by the second, the wind wasn’t cold, nor was it large. It was well-contained. This pony had been a maiden for quite some time given her exquisite control of the power.

“The Maiden power is the closest to pure, raw magic, any pony can ever possess.” The pink mare had purple tips to her now flared wings, and a long mess of a mane that spun in the gusts of her power. “It is something you can be taught to control, it is something you will hide within you- and train in secret until the time is right.”

Trixie stood, hair billowing out in the air. Celestia stood proudly, as if the display somehow proved something. The small blue mare stared up in disbelief. Her eyes wider than they must have ever been. She struggled with basic teleportation, and somehow the Princess… these two princesses, expected her to learn such incredible power? “I think you’ve got the wrong pony.” She shouted seriously against the wind.

Celestia looked her over. “You are a pony nobody will suspect.” She repeated, but it seemed to be doing no convincing whatsoever. “I know you are capable. I’ve seen you spar, I know you are a power worth investing in.”

As the Alicorn lowered herself, the swell of power subsided. “And we will be here to guide you, and your team will be around to protect you.” She said.

“Though, no ponies else, must know of this.” Celestia said finally. “This is a secret to be kept by the three of us, and your three teammates.” Trixie’s glassy eye’s were wells at by that point, this wasn’t what she’d wanted, never in a million years would she have wanted this… but it seemed to be her fate. It was inescapable. She contemplated turning and running, but this was Princess Celestia she was up against. There really was nothing more left to say.

She stood before the pony in the glass vessel. She was old, barely living, it was clear it was only a matter of time for her. “Ponies seek the powers of the Maiden’s, they hunt ponies down. In giving the power to you, it greatly decreases the chances of it falling into the wrong hooves.”

Trixie’s ears perked up at the word ‘hunt’ after all, that was what she was intended to learn how to do. Perhaps the power would make her a better huntress, and those who may hunt her for her power would be outsmarted or bested. “…Fine.” She said, relenting. “It’s clear I have no choice. So, it is better I accept it now than delay the inevitable.” The strange over-confidence she’d always possessed prevailed. She could put her game-face on, for resistance was futile.

Cossette began to rear her green ball of magic. “You don’t dare stand between us and destiny, you fool!” Her voice was sour, and sharp against his ears.

Starswirl held up a hoof to his assistant. “Cossette, pet, keep your cool. Proper channels, this lad is just doing his job. He knows not the power you will soon possess.”

Sunburst rolled his eyes, completely uninvested in any fights.

Sunburst shuttered as the Princess appeared at his side in an attention-capturing poof of glimmering light. “It has been done, Sunburst.” To this, he nodded, smirking at the pair of visitors as he took his leave. “Starswirl, care to speak independently?”

“My name is Cadence, by the way.” The Alicorn mare said. She redawned the cloak. “I am the Spring Maiden.”

Trixie looked over her body in the reflection of the broken glass. The mare who had held the power, and had simply given up the fight.

Trixie stared into her eyes, as the glimmer slipped away. She was no more. Looking through the eyes of the old mare, Trixie knew more. Somehow, her mind was able to comprehend the history of the Maiden’s soul. Trixie looked no different, but felt so invaded. “That’s nice.” She said simply. “Can I go back to my room now?” She asked coldly.

Returning to the office, Starswirl and Celestia convened. “That mare outside my office, is she from your school?” She tapped her foot against the desk.

The age-old stallion’s face gave nothing away. “Formerly, she graduated in spring, but stayed to take employment as my personal assistant.”

Celestia traced her hoof over the top of the desk, looking him over. “And you think she is a suitable fit for the Winter Maiden’s power?”

Starswirl held the sternness in his face. “It is my opinion that she has more than proven herself capable of wielding the power.”

Celestia nodded slowly. “Of course… well, then tomorrow I shall have her in a sparing match with one of my graduating class students. How does that sound?”

Starswirl’s mouth turned up at the corners. Such a coy smile, he’d likely not even noticed a change in his own expression. “In your coliseum?”

“Where else, old friend?”

“So, what was your meeting with the Princess about?” Sunset asked, throwing her body down onto the make-shift bunk bed she’d made with Starlight in Trixie’s absence.

Trixie was unlike herself, sulking. She sat on her bed in the corner. “It is a long story, actually, but it’s something I’m supposed to tell you guys about…”

The three of them turned their attention to her seriously. “Well don’t leave us waiting, darling” Rarity said urgently.

“Do you know the Fable of the Four Maidens?” Trixie began.

Several Weeks Prior

A semi-transparent deep blue Alicorn appeared before Celestia. A projection from the miniature music box tech she had devised. “Sister.” The serious voice came. The metallic armor glimmering in the sunset. “It has come to my attention that our once-trusted confidant is involved in dealings that will surely interest you.”

Celestia’s eyes narrowed at the report from her only sibling. There were four schools like hers in Equestria, and though Luna was not the headmaster of one, she was an ambassador for learning across the nation. The schools were: Celestia’s, Starswirl’s, Dr. Hooves, and Spitfire’s. Though, Dr. Hooves and Spitfire had proven themselves through years of hard work and study, Starswirl and Celestia were gifted in long-lasting life. Celestia being without age, and Starswirl’s magical manipulation of Chaos allowing him to evade his time. They’re seemed immortality making them symbols for knowledge. Though, even in their young years, the sisters were weary of Starswirl’s lust for power. “Go on.”

“It is my understanding that Starswirl is conspiring with Him.” She said commandingly. “He was promised yet another life extension, if he could secure the power of the Winter Maiden on His behalf.”

“How have you come upon this knowledge?” Celestia asked.

Luna sighed, “He is not exactly discreet. It is well-known that the chaos well had depleted during His imprisonment, but since His escape… Starswirl has been… different.”

Celestia nodded, fully aware of the state of the Winter Maiden. And the chaotic key to Starswirl’s long-life. “We will concoct a plan, then.”

“It is best we find a pony so unpopular.” Luna swallowed the unkindness of her words. “So that she may not be suspected.”

“Yes, yes…” Celestia reeled. “It is not too late for me to add a few more students to my incoming class.”

Team PARTY stood at the edge of the courtyard. “It’s just a sparring match.” Rainbow Dash insisted, bolting from corner to corner in the blink of an eye. “

Fluttershy’s wings patted in silence. Her tail barely off the ground. “Good luck!” She said quietly. The opposing team exchanging glances as they could hardly hear what she’d said.

Apple Jack took her mark, and as the whistle blew, Pinkie Pie bolted ahead of her in a single leap. Connecting her hooves with the head of a stallion in the opposing team. “Sorry!” She shouted happily as she used him as another launch point. He stumbled to the floor as she pressed off him with all her might.

Rainbow Dash blasted past, toward their team’s Pegasus. Capturing her In a whirlwind of rainbow lines, the mare was left spinning and out for the count. All the while Rainbow pulled out of the move without even a teeter.

As a speedy earth pony barreled toward Fluttershy, Apple Jack acted quickly, bucking him off his feet entirely. And in an instant, whimpering could be heard from behind, it seemed he’d been mildly injured by the kick.

Fluttershy stared intently at the fourth team member, leaving them semi-petrified. Apple Jack slowly turned to face the frozen pony, tipping them over stiffly.

As the whistle blew, Team Party was victorious in their first graded sparring match.

“So… you’re the Winter Maiden?” Starlight asked in an attempt to get to the point.

Sunset stamped her hoof into the floorboards angrily. “I’m more wrapped up in the fact that they didn’t even give you a choice!”

Rarity joined her in her anger. “Yes, Darling, no pony should ever have their destiny left in the hooves of another. That is certain.”

Trixie shrugged her shoulders as her head hung between them. “It was this or risk it falling into the hooves of some pony who would use it for evil.” She repeated the explanation she’d been given, but it was not met with positive reception. “And I couldn’t say ‘no’ to Princess Celestia… she’s literally like… the ruler of this place? And like 100 times our age.”

Starlight rolled off the top bunk, gently levitating herself to the floor. She could sense the uncharacteristic discouragement in Trixie’s voice. “You know what, we’ve got your back.” She said as if the discussion was over. “Whatever life throws at us, we’re a team. We’re gonna get through this.”

“One more thing,” Trixie began. “We can’t tell anypony else… And I can only train to use the power in complete secret.”