Chapters Trixie's Redemption
It was late in the evening and Luna had just finished raising the moon and setting the sky ablaze with constellations and meteorites to celebrate the spring. Luna stood alone on her observatory balcony overlooking a gala party below where they were celebrating the season.
“It’s a beautiful night princess” Trixie commented as she materialized from the shadows behind her. “Thank you my faithful apprentice, I’m quite content with it as well” she nodded before pushing her telescope aside. “I have an important assignment for you” Luna offered tapping a wrapped up scroll on her nearby table. “I need you to journey into the everfree forest. There is something you must acquire”.
Trixie had been training in secret for months “an assignment; that’d be great I’ve been waiting to test out my abilities” Trixie cheered to Luna’s dismay. Trixie stood at attention “right master, restraint.” Luna nodded floating the map towards Trixie “I’m sending you to my ancient fortress in the everfree. It is two days march from Ponyville. Do you think you can manage it?”
“No sweat!” Trixie remarked leaning over the balcony to a lower landing where Twilight was demonstrating her newfound powers for Celestia. Luna joined in to see the purple unicorn’s performance. Luna and Celestia had very different teaching methods: whereas Celestia promoted Twilight’s academic research and only observed her student’s assessments.
Luna focused entirely on Trixie’s training, and there were no performances. Trixie was also Luna’s student in secret so only they were privy to their relationship. “Her form is all wrong, and she’s expending far more magic than necessary to cast that spell” Trixie spat while observing.
Luna chuckled “her performance is spotless Trixie, and that little unicorn has more capability than what meets the eye”. Luna sat down to meditate as a polite cue for Trixie to join her “Magic is governed by the heart and mind, and no two ponies are alike”. Trixie sighed in submission “thus is the way of magic” she instructed before closing her eyes.
Trixie itched in her meditative state. She could feel something ominous watching her. It was threatening; sending cold chills as she repelled the dark force from her mind, “ah! Bad!” Trixie cried trying to pull herself out of the nightmare. She could hear Luna’s voice calmly “No Trixie, stay with it. What do you feel?” the blue unicorn shivered violently “it’s cold, and dark. I also sense anger” Trixie reported feeling a deep heat well up within her chest.
“I feel powerless” Trixie cried as the dark mass leached out scraping across her brain like sharp fingers. ‘Powerless… powerless’ the words repeated over in Trixie’s head until Luna spoke up again “you’re getting a small taste of the darkness inside you Trixie.” Luna’s voice was warm and filled with reason “the darkness will lead you to fear, and uncontrollable anger. You must control your emotions” she commanded.
Trixie focused bringing herself back in control. Her thoughts journeyed out of the dark place “Very Good, that’s enough for tonight” Luna commanded “I will see you when you return”. Trixie bowed elegantly before leaving disappearing in a dramatic poof of blue smoke before gleefully darting down the hallway.
***
Trixie treaded carefully as she entered the everfree. The forest was dark but she was brave. As she trekked towards the ruined castle no creature disturbed her. The only creature foolish enough to face her was a lone timber wolf that fled as a volley of fireworks singed its willowed hide. Trixie marched on beaming with potential.
The castle glared omnisciently at Trixie. Its ruined parapets and dark cold bricks seemed to scowl at her. The castle still bore Nightmare Moon’s banners though the standards were now tattered and beaten. Trixie removed her hood to allow for greater visibility. “Is there anypony here?” she asked her voice echoing through the hold. Nopony responded “what was I supposed to get?” Trixie wondered as she ignited a flare spell and began exploring the castle. “Princess Luna didn’t tell me what I was looking for” she wondered aloud as she moved about. “It’s probably in the throne room” she concluded “a magical artifact of some sort”.
The castle keep was enormous. Ornate pillars rose high where a lone throne rested peacefully at the opposite end of the room. There were shattered stone shards scattered about the hall; the remnants of the elements of harmony. Trixie strutted into the middle of the chamber and recalled her master’s previous advice.
She sat quietly, closed her eyes and tried to meditate. The room was eerily silent as she cleared her mind, but her heart fed her warm thoughts of Canterlot and her proud master. Trixie’s senses heightened as her mind and body synchronized and she felt her magical powers elevate.
A cold chill shot through Trixie as a dark thought penetrated her mind and broke her focus. Powerless… powerless… The thought provoked as though she hadn’t conceived it. Trixie’s eyes shot open and a shadowy starved blue mare observed her with hollow eyes.
Trixie screamed seeing the horrifying creature appear and retreated as it hobbled towards her “nowhere to run, you’re alone after all” the creature hissed mysteriously teleporting to block her exit. Trixie moved to defend herself and gathered herself to cast a spell; it wouldn’t come though she couldn’t muster the energy.
The unicorn shade creeped ever closer. Its empty holes for eyes petrified the fearful Trixie. “What are you?” Trixie barked. The shade laughed “I am the sum of your fears”. The creature charged for Trixie and struck her across the side sending her skidding back several feet.
Trixie quickly recovered and moved on the offensive. She caught her breath and managed to gather enough magic to face the creature. She fired a volley of fireworks at the creature and pushed it back. The creature attempted to swipe at her with a shadowy spell but Trixie was able to dodge it.
Trixie sensed her powers fading and concluded she didn’t have the energy for a sustained fight. It’ll have to be a quick fight then. Trixie deftly jumped and sent a magical tremor through the floor. A magical hand constructed of stone erupted from the floor and snatched the shadowy creature crushing it into the floor.
Trixie slowly approached the writhing creature; now trapped beneath the stone construct. In the pale moonlight Trixie could see the ghastly creature had pale blue fur and a unicorn horn. Trixie immediately recognized the creature and the mimic saw she did “a monster horrified by its own reflection?” it spat as it tried to break free.
The creature laughed but it was labored “don’t think so? We’re afraid of being alone… our power is the only thing that makes us special. We’ve done bad things Luna, but it is okay. No family, no friends! We don’t need them we’re better than the others”. Trixie strengthened the spell tightening her grip on the mimic.
The mimic howled in pain. “I don’t blame you! We… We have nothing to apologize for.” The creature snarled. Trixie altered her spell to elevate the mimic and bring it to her so she could look the monster in the face. The mimic chuckled gleefully as the spell’s rocky grip shifted.
“No. You are wrong” Trixie screamed, she felt her chest fill with warm light. “I made mistakes, I hurt other ponies and I hurt myself”. Trixie smiled feeling her eyes well up with tears “you’re right I did horrible things; but I will not bask in them like you.”
“Yea?” the creature asked rolling its eyes. Trixie used her spell to release the creature and catapulted it across the room. The creature smashed against the wall. It was severely weakened only possessing the strength and hatred to bitterly crawl towards Trixie. “I am Princess Luna’s apprentice. I am learning to properly use my powers and I will do whatever it takes to right the wrongs I’ve done!”
A blinding force erupted from Trixie and saturated the room in snowy white light. Trixie felt herself lifted from the ground and imbued with elemental wisdom. The Trixie mimic exploded into a pile of ashes where a glistening object could be seen.
When Trixie’s hooves touched back on the castle floor she galloped for the pile of ashes. As she dug into the pile her hooves tapped something cool and metallic. A necklace. The necklace was forged gold with a gemstone in the middle. The gemstone was carved in the shape of a white ring with a sapphire center and an overlapping sapphire star.
“The element of redemption” a polite voice explained which startled Trixie. Luna carefully picked up the necklace and hung it around Trixie’s neck “you faced what you feared most and in that found what you yearned for most” Luna looked extremely pleased “I am so proud of you” she cheered hugging Trixie. Trixie yelped in surprise at being hugged and felt herself tear up “thank you princess… this means so much” she cried in Luna’s embrace.
Trixie's Plea
Trixie stumbled through the everfree forest. Her sorcerer robes and hat were withered and torn. Her hair knotted and stained with tears. She dragged her miserable hoofs until they ached before collapsing at the edge of a large oasis in the dark forest. It was night and the sky was still as the moon’s reflection lit up the pool.
Trixie crawled towards the reservoir and gazed into her reflection in the moons glow. “No!” Trixie cried seeing what she thought was the shell of what she used to be. ‘Please’ she prayed stretching her neck over the pool lightly kissing the moon’s reflection. “Princess Luna, please help me.” The water rippled gently as Luna appeared in the middle of the pond and looked sternly towards Trixie
“The princess of the night is here. Why have you summoned us? Trixie?” Luna bellowed from the centre of the lake. “Princess Luna, please help me. My powers have been drained by an unknown magical force.” Trixie begged. “You flaunted your abilities in front of everpony Trixie. Perhaps this is punishment for what you’ve done?” Luna asked rhetorically looking down at the traumatized filly.
“That’s not fair!” Trixie screamed barely able to hold her tears back. “My parents and my little brother were killed by an Ursa Major. I was alone until I learned magic; it’s how I got my cutie mark.” A couple tears worked their way out to Trixie’s dismay.
“My magic let me make friends, travel Equesteria and perform. It was my gift to share with the world!” Trixie loses control over her emotions, “it was what made me special and now I have nothing. Why won’t you help me regain my powers?”
Luna stepped off of the still oasis and sensed the troubled unicorn’s thoughts. “I… I thought you might understand” Trixie stuttered, “you made mistakes! And you’ve returned to the throne.” Luna flinched hearing the accusation and rested a kind hoof on Trixie’s shoulder “I paid gravely sweet Trixie as you seem to be now.”
“It was horrible wasn’t it? When you were banished?” Trixie asked as Luna comforted her. Luna silently nodded as she helped dry Trixie’s soaked cloak and fur. Luna felt herself overwhelmed by sympathy ‘I see much of myself in this poor unicorn’ Luna thought.
“There isn’t anything limiting your magical abilities Trixie,” Luna explained Trixie looked questioningly whereby Luna took an instructional seat nearby. “Magic is elusive and you may find your abilities wane if you aren’t able to focus” Luna explained levitating several orbs of water from the nearby reservoir.
Trixie closed her eyes and tried to conjure her magical powers, “concentrate, focus your thoughts” Luna instructed. Trixie focused intently pulling the cool orbs towards her. As the orbs encircled the blue unicorn they morphed into the shape of ponies which trotted around her.
Luna happily clapped her hooves “very well done Trixie!” Trixie opened her eyes curiously, “huh? Princess we did it…” “…You did it” Luna corrected her as she sensed Trixie’s strength returning to her. “Your magic is more than a gift; it can sense your feelings, hopes and thoughts. If we were to find ourselves in disarray” the liquid marching ponies scattered in confusion, “so is our magic.”
Trixie nodded in understanding casting another spell allowing her to walk across the shimmering pool just as Luna had before. Trixie glowed with newfound strength, but she deeply yearned for more. “Princess Luna? I know that Princess Celestia takes on students; Twilight Sparkle” Trixie growled “Do you have an apprentice?”
Princess Luna shook her head, “no I haven’t taken on an apprentice. It’s not something Celestia and I have discussed since my return.” Luna could sense Trixie’s burning question and she glared at the earnest unicorn “I sense great jealousy within you Trixie, against Twilight Sparkle. If I were to teach you I wouldn’t permit its use for petty revenge. I am not even sure if I’m permitted to take on apprentice.” Luna admitted.
Trixie stood firm “I do not wish to learn for petty revenge. I wish to be great and powerful to do great things. I will serve you devotedly, even if I must serve you in the shadows” Trixie pledged bowing elegantly, “I will confess my jealousy, but don’t allow that to overshadow my ambition to learn and serve the night.”
“I Trixie Spellwind, swear fealty to you Princess Luna, to serve as your apprentice; if you would have me.” Trixie’s declaration echoed through the forest
The princess rested her horn against Trixie’s and a faint glow erupted between them “I will have you as my apprentice. I promise to teach you to enhance your powers and how to control them.” Luna sat calmly, basking in the moonlight. “I will also teach you peace dear Trixie. Come sit next to me I want you to meditate.”
Trixie’s mind raced with ideas but she swiftly moved and took a seat. “I want you to clear your thoughts. Silence your ambitions, worries, rivalries and cares. Be at peace,” Luna dictated inhaling softly. Trixie followed Luna’s instruction with great difficulty. Thoughts continued to burrow from the surface and her leg twitched from uneasiness. Luna could sense Trixie’s struggle and she waited patiently.
Eventually Trixie’s breathing slowed, her nervous fidgeting stopped and she was completely concentrated. Luna smiled “very good”. One of Trixie’s eyes slowly opened, “is this how you came to change princess? After being banished for over 1000 years” she spoke calmly looking very sympathetic. Luna summoned a large orb of magic which quickly formed into an armoured alicorn galloping in place. As Luna explained the alicorn thrashed violently.
“In dark times, anger and sadness may be the source of great power, but they will consume you.” The alicorn looked wounded before suddenly appearing alone and sad. The alone alicorn curled up and later came to sit just as Luna was now “learning forgiveness, and to find peace will give you far greater power as you control your emotions,” Luna concluded as the magic erupted into blue sparks.
Trixie reasserted herself and found meditating had become slightly easier “I’ll get the hang of this before you know it princess!” Trixie cheered. “I have absolute faith in you my apprentice” Luna chuckled “I am sure you will.”
A small blue unicorn stampeded through the colossal arena. At the opposite end of the arena a manticore charged towards her: the earth shaking beneath its claws. Trixie mustered her strength into a vibrant ember that exploded from her horn. The magical eruption forced her to dig in her hoofs as the explosion collided into the enraged manticore.
The manticore coiled against the magical attack but was thrown back by the tremendous explosion. Its body embedded into the arena wall. The confused and angry manticore picked itself up and turned again to face its adversary. The manticore primed its claws and snarled menacingly.
Trixie teleported within striking distance of the monstrous creature. Her horn glowed threateningly and the the creature retreated slightly. As she primed a second spell the creature flinched and proceeded to bow obediently. The manticore retracted its claws and lowered its tail signalling its absolute fealty.
From above Trixie could hear her master’s slow but proud applause. Trixie could just barely see Princess Luna observing her training from one of the deserted arena’s private boxes, “most impressive!” she cheered as Trixie teleported to Luna’s side “most impressive indeed” she cooed giving Trixie a congratulatory tap on the shoulder.
“Thank you master” Trixie smiles gleefully. Luna looks down at the tamed manticore “it takes great skill to do what you've done today; to do so without maiming or hypnotizing the creature, greater still. You have progressed flawlessly as my apprentice. Dear Trixie. “Thanks wholly to your guidance princess” Trixie explained lowering her head obediently.
Luna cleared her throat and decides to get right to the point “I have another mission for you Trixie.” Luna explained leading Trixie out of the deserted arena and through a portal taking them back to Canterlot. Luna marched across the royal atrium, fetching a picture of a sandy coated unicorn. Trixie eyed the male unicorn and noted his coat was speckled with strange black runes “who is this?” Trixie asked. Luna sighed “That is Starfall. He’s a powerful rebellious unicorn that is causing havoc and threatens to call a meteorite on Canterlot Trixie gasped in bewilderment “He’s threatening to destroy Canterlot? With a meteorite! How does he possess that kind of power”?
Luna fell silent and bit her lip. After what felt like an eternity of silence she explained herself “Starfall was once my apprentice, Trixie. He refuted my teachings and fled to the everfree forest.” Trixie stamped the ground in frustration “Damn him, he’s remarkably well hidden. I haven’t even been able to trace him through the dreamlands”.
Luna looked directly at Trixie and spoke plainly “I want you to find Starfall, and undo the damage he has done… please,” Luna pled. Trixie immediately accepted the assignment “How should I stop him, Master?” Luna opened a rift to the everfree for Luna and turned unable to face Trixie directly, “by any means necessary.” “As you wish, princess,” Trixie replies before bowing and leaping through the portal into the dark of the everfree forest.
It was midday but the everfree forest canopy cast the area in a faint gloomy light. “Right, best I locate Starfall” Trixie concludes, sitting down to meditate. Trixie closes her eyes and allows her senses to wander. She senses the trees and dirt beneath her feet, various wild creatures roaming the forest and a powerful source of magic in the distance. As she honed in on the powerful being she experiences a remarkable reaction.
As she focuses she hears ponies screaming in her head. She recognized one of the voices being that of Princess Luna’s but the other’s was a male voice she didn’t recognize. Visions flashed of a duel between Princess Luna and Starfall “Please princess! Don’t kill me!” the male voice pled as the sound of whizzing magic and explosions echoed in her head.
Trixie clutched her temples as a migraine developed. She severed her magical connection to the pony and sensed a greater magical source moving towards her. Trixie opens her eyes and sprung to her feet hoping to interrupt her attacker. The thick grass rustled around Trixie and she could see two glowing turquoise eyes gazing from the shadows.
“What is this I see? Luna’s new apprentice, maybe?” the figure chanted as she stepped into the clearing. The figure was a zebra. She was dressed in robes with a golden necklace and earnings. “Why so scared? Can’t you see that it is only just you and me?” The Zebra inquired at Trixie’s defensiveness. Trixie could no longer sense the magical threat and relinquished her guard. “My apologizes… I am looking for a very powerful pony that is hiding out here in the everfree forest. Would you know where they might be hiding? ”The hidden being that you seek, may be found at everfree peak” the Zebra explained walking towards the escapement “this way…”
As the mysterious Zebra led Trixie through the forest she felt herself losing her focus. The visions and screams of Luna’s and Starfall’s duel clouded her mind and she had struggled to keep up. “My oh, this cannot be, do not lose sight of the path, you see?” Trixie shook her head, “wait no, you didn’t point at anything?” Trixie remarked. “The path I speak of is not here, but here” she points at Trixie’s head, “you harbor doubtful thoughts that you dread, allow these to grow and you may end up…” “Dead” Trixie interjected.
As they neared the top of the escarpment Zecora stopped and motioned for Trixie to continue, “Is he up there?” Trixie inquired as she passed Zecora. “Are you not coming?” Zecora shook her head “My little pony, do you not see. That this is not a test for me.” Trixie remembered Luna’s instructions and climbed to the peak. As she approached the top she felt that familiar magical force push against her and she did her best to shut out the visions and screams which were far more vivid now.
Trixie could see the meteorite high in the sky and the yellow unicorn focusing it in front of her. He raised his head, not surprised to see her and spoke clearly “Ah, you’ve found me, Trixie was it? I sensed you in the everfree; you’ve arrived just in time!” Trixie took a step closer “I’ve been sent to stop you Starfall!” you’re risking the lives of thousands of ponies!”
Starfall managed a grimaced laugh and shrugged her demand off. “With all of your magic, you can’t stop me.” Starfall coughed violently and Trixie could now see the winds of magic left him decrepit and weak. “She threw me out you know… I was a prodigy, top of my class. Beloved, chosen apprentice of Luna herself”, Starfall gasped.
Starfall managed to wave her off and raise his head “I can’t even stop it now.” He lifts himself and rests against a rock to watch the incoming meteor. He exhumes one last breath before his magical runes faded and his eyes closed. As the flaming rock floats high above them Trixie glared at the molten sphere. She planted her hooves and cleared her mind. “I can’t let it destroy Canterlot!” Trixie calls upon the winds of magic which gather and warp to her whim. She focuses them around her and charges them to oppose the fiery meteorite. “STOP!” she commands firing the spell high into the sky to halt the meteorite.
The spell had little effect. The meteorite momentarily slowed before resuming its dire trajectory. “No! Please stop!” Trixie screams firing several volleys of spells exhausting most of her magical ability. The meteorite loomed directly overhead, unphased by Trixie’s attack. “It’s too big!” Trixie spat firing off one last spell “… It’s too big… Princess!” Trixie clutched her ears feeling the weight of her failure press down on her.
Trixie could hear the clip-clop of astute hooves behind her and sensed a mighty magical being which sent shivers down her back. She turned around only to see Zecora standing there following the meteorite overhead. “Size does not matter my dear, the power you need is limited by fear”. Zecora stepped forward as her eyes glowed a golden hue. Her white zebra stripes glowed and a bright green aura encircled her. “Magic is more than you and me. It is an unlimited force so set it free”.
Trixie watched in awe as Zecora strained but mystically pulled with incredible force. The meteorite steadily drifted off of its trajectory. Zecora screamed and with a mighty spell she dragged the meteorite down and forced it to harmlessly impact in the everfree forest. Trixie cheered seeing the meteorite impact and ran to hug Zecora “you did it!” she hollered. Zecora thanked Trixie and politely pushed her off.
She quietly walked towards the now deceased Starfall and respectfully closed his eyes “now Trixie please go home, and hold true the lessons you’ve been shown. Know that Starfall held temperance for power and kindness for wrath. You must not fall down this path”. Trixie nodded and longed to return to Canterlot “Thank you Zecora, I don’t plan on making the same mistakes he did. I promise”. Without another word Trixie tightened her robe around her neck and charted a course for Canterlot.