Ever calm was Ponyville since the Nightmare moon event. Everypony believed that the nightmare herself was gone for good and would not threaten the peace again. While that was true in a literal sense, technicalities would eventually have a way of screwing around with those plans.

Applejack and the others, sans Dusk had taken to meeting outside in the town square. They'd all become great friends ever since that fateful night and the one thing they shared was the desire to know their Introverted companion just a little better. They devised ways of getting him out of his books and into the social protocol that was gossip. They seemed to forget that Dusk Shine, the one who brought them all together was in fact a stallion. Gossip would be wasted on him, but it seems their determination drove them to learn the hard way.

In the middle of another of their conversations, a cart no bigger than a garden shed pulled up right in the centre of the town square. Some of the ponies gathered around, amazed at how a carriage could have pulled itself. Others wondered what the contents of said carriage were. The five friends joined the ever growing crowd, curious as to its purpose in their peaceful little town. With little time between the carriage's arrival and their own, a flash of smoke wafted from out of thin air. As it cleared, the carriage had been magically set up. This was enough to give awe to some of the younger members of the audience.

Another flash of smoke and a sky blue Unicorn wearing a star and moon spangled cape and pointy hat under her silvery mane and tail appeared, presenting the most confident pose anypony had ever seen. Underneath the cape were deep purple robes with a considerably shortened amount of astral objects imprinted on it. Her entrance gave way to another awed reaction from all except the five ponies.

"Fillies and Gentlecolts! Give a warm round of applause for the Great and Powerful Trixie!!" the blue unicorn called out. As she did so, sparklers and all sorts of fireworks erupted, giving her a flashy entrance.

The Library was quiet as usual, more so now that Ponyville had sampled Dusk Shine's social demeanour. Three books floated in the air in front of the pony in question. Still in his pyjamas, he sipped a cup of coffee as he appeared to stare at the centre book.

Barb had the idea to wear skates on her feet, making her cleaning in sweeping motions. She reached a tray out as Dusk placed his empty mug down at random. Success! The dragoness spread-eagled between a pair of books, finishing with a turn before pushing off into the kitchen.

"Did you see that, Dusk?" Barb asked as she left with a fresh cup of coffee for him.

"You're a regular Jim BuckElroy, Barb." he said, holding out his hand. His eyes never strayed from the books. Barb skated past, manoeuvring the cup into his hand. "Thanks." he said as she passed by. "Mind the Nix collection behind you." he added as he took a sip from his mug. There was a loud thump which signified Barb had heeded his warning too late.

"Oww..." she whined.

"Need help?" Dusk asked, still not distracted from his books.

"You could at least act like you care. I am still a baby after all." she whined. Dusk took another sip of his coffee.

"Of course I care. I just don't bother with mundane things like your little fall there. Such things will help you learn and grow. But until you're an adult and I'm long dead, if anything puts your life in danger, then I'll act accordingly." he replied. Barb stood up from the floor and sat down to remove her skates.

"The only threat to my life is you and this Library." she argued.

"Let's keep it that way then. Neither the Library, nor I have any intention of hurting you, so you're technically safe." he disputed. Barb sighed, her skates in one hand as she rose to her feet.

"I should have signed up for adoption. Maybe then I'd get some proper love instead of excuses for the mundane problems in my life." she mumbled. That elicited a twitch of the eye from Dusk, but Barb failed to notice.

"I'm glad you didn't. You're one of the few in my life that I trust completely." he replied Barb looked at him and smiled.

"And it's words like those that keep me here." she said. As she stepped into the kitchen again, she shed a tear, still smiling. Despite his personality, she'd grown to love Dusk as if she were born into his family. Despite what she'd said earlier, she was glad to have chosen Dusk as her carer.

The door to the Library burst open and an onslaught of ponies erupted through the entrance. Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and a few others entered, all looking for him.

"Dusk, you gotta help us!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"In Equestria, we say 'good morning'." Dusk replied, not taking his eyes off the books.

"There's a unicorn in Ponyville!" Pinkie cried out.

"Is there now? And here I thought I was the only one." Dusk replied sarcastically.

"What Pinkie means is that there's a new one in town." Applejack corrected.

"Again, my answer stays the same." Dusk said.

"What's going on?" Barb asked as she entered the room.

"Mass idiocy, I think." Dusk replied.

"There's a new Unicorn in town claiming to be the most powerful in all of Equestria. She's challenged ponies to try and out-do her, so far nopony's been able to do it. We thought Dusk could put her in her place for us." Rainbow Dash said, ignoring Dusk's comment, mainly because the word idiocy didn't register with her understanding.

"Really? And why's that?" Dusk asked, taking a sip from his mug.

"Well, we remembered Barb saying you were the most powerful Unicorn since Starswirl the Bearded and we figured you could show this silver-maned witch what true power is." Rarity replied, getting all hyped up.

"I see she kicked at least on of your asses." Barb said, pointing to Rarity's mane. The alabaster mare just whimpered in shame.

"Not Fluttershy or me. After These three, we thought it best to leave it to the professionals." Pinkie said, pulling Fluttershy close to her side.

"I don't care for boasting my abilities. Only I need to know how powerful I am." Dusk replied. The girls began to fret.

"Come on, Dusk, we're your friends." Rainbow Dash argued.

"A nightmare that ceases to end." he retorted.

"She's a rotten apple!" Applejack tried.

"Apples are your problem." he replied.

"She's right here." Pinkie said.

"WHAT?!" the others cried out, save Dusk. The showmare, Trixie stepped through the door and around the beaten ponies to face Dusk.

"This is the pony you wanted me to go up against? He's little more than a joke." Trixie scoffed.

"Actually, you'll find a lot of ponies would say I'm not that funny." Dusk commented, magically turning the pages of all three books.

"What are you doing?" Trixie asked. Dusk sighed before responding.

"I'm attempting to increase the default output of my cerebral cortex by putting my peripheral vision into overdrive." he replied. Everypony, including Trixie turned to Barb for an explanation.

"He's trying to expand his learning capacity by reading three books at once, using the corners of his eyes." she explained. The ponies except for Pinkie Pie made sounds of understanding.

"Does that actually work?" Dash asked.

"I'm talking to you lot while doing it aren't I?" Dusk replied as if to prove his point. Everypony searched for something else to say.

"Please, Dusk? We're asking you to defend our honour, which she's damaged." Rarity begged.

"So call a therapist." Dusk responded coldly.

"Girls, if you want him to work with you, you gotta appeal to his likes and dislikes." said Barb, turning to Dusk.

"Dusk, if she claims to be the most powerful pony in Equestria, that means she's putting herself above the Princesses." Barb teased. Dusk paused his reading.

"Claims mean nothing. If they take offense to one such as that, then let them do what these idiots did and challenge her." he said, countering Barb's attack.

"She claims to have conquered an Ursa Major." Fluttershy let out. Dusk's head lifted and he finally turned away from his books, eyeing Trixie and quietly judging her.

"Really?" he asked, closing the books behind him. They made their way back to their appropriate shelves. "What proof do you have that you dealt with such a creature?" he asked. Trixie was stumped.

"My word should be good enough." she replied.

"If a pony's word was all it took, Everypony would be famous for things they said they did and prisons would be made redundant." Dusk replied. Again, Trixie was stumped. A huff of annoyance left Dusk's mouth before he turned away. "Come back when you've got solid evidence to back your claims." he commanded. Feeling embarrassed, Trixie tried to coax Dusk into fighting her, the wrong way. She charged a bolt of magic and shot at him. Dusk was hit squarely in the back. The stallion went forward and collided with the nearest bookshelf. He slid down, his face smacking against each shelf.

"Oh, horseapples." Applejack said, urging the others to step aside for what was to come next.

"That'll piss him off." Dash stated. Trixie felt herself superior to the Librarian which is why she didn't think before acting. Dusk slowly rose to his feet, his mane waving upward as if it were under water. He turned around to face Trixie. That's when she saw the scar on his chest and the bright white eyes.

"Oops." she said as she prepared to defend herself. Dusk growled and leaned forward, his horn becoming the focal point for a big attack that would undoubtedly require a new door and replacement windows. Barb leaped for the kitchen just as a massive purple ball began to grow and rotate. "Um. sorry?" Trixie tried. Dusk just frowned at Trixie before he launched his attack. The ball hit her dead on and as it made contact, it grew larger to the point where it was twice her size. It allowed her form to press into it before exploding like a waterbaloon. The force of the explosion blew out the windows and forced Trixie through the door and out into the streets.

Ponies looked at the grounded unicorn outside and then to the exploded Library.

"Did she go after Dusk?" Carrot Top asked. Derpy just shrugged.

"That was a death sentence waiting to happen." Lyra replied, gently trying to smack the unicorn awake. it was no use, Trixie was out cold.

Dusk emerged a few minutes later, fully clothed, except with his dark grey shirt unbuttoned, showing off his cross-scar. He stopped just short of Trixie and observed the damage. "Didn't think you could withstand the force of an Ursa Major. That was half the strength they put into swatting away what they consider to be pests." he said. "Just as I thought, you're nothing but a fraud." he declared. Behind him, the others were cheering over his victory. Their honour had been saved by their friend. Dusk walked off, leaving the Library and his 'friends' as they were. He felt hungry after expelling that kind of magic at this time of the morning.

Trixie had spent the day packing her things. Humiliated beyond reasoning, she wanted nothing more to do with this town. She didn't want mocking stares as she left, so she decided to cut through the Everfree forest, believing her carriage would protect her.

It was getting late in the evening and she decided to set up camp in a cave. Her spirits were down and her fire was dim. She truly felt nothing could get worse. Unfortunately, she was wrong on so many levels. Her fire, regardless of its weakness had awoken an Ursa. The same kind of Ursa Trixie claimed to have defeated. It went to yawn and Trixie mistook that for an angry roar. She screamed, giving the poor celestial bear an ear ache, then proceeded to throw a burning stick at it, hitting it on the nose. Now the Ursa was pissed. It set its sights on Trixie and roared in real anger. Trixie ran away, leaving her precious carriage behind. Sadly, it was crushed under the Ursa's massive foot, leaving Trixie truly homeless. But that didn't matter as she was about to be dead.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash had gone out to celebrate Dusk's actions regarding the 'rotten apple'. Their pride was in tact and the subject of discussion had left town without a trace. Things were looking good. As Dash went to chug another drink, Applejack spotted Trixie running as fast as she could from something.

"Look on over there, sugarcube. Ain't that the mare we were just talkin' about?" she asked. Dash almost spat her drink out when she saw her. Now she was pissed.

"What's she doing back here? Dusk practically kicked her out." The two mares went to intercept Trixie.

"So, didn't get enough of a beating the last time?" The pegasus asked.

"Ah thought you were gonna git outta here 'fore the day's end." Applejack added. Trixie was out of breath and she tried to warn the two why that was the case, but all she could do was pant like a dog and point to the massive celestial bear behind her. Rainbow Dash and Applejack both screamed in fright at the massive creature closing in on them. They sped out of there, leaving Trixie to fend for herself, which she did by starting to run again.

Dusk was having his appointed date with Fluttershy (by order of Celestia). He'd learned early on that even he couldn't stand upsetting the pegasus and as a result, acted uncharacteristically nice to her. They left the diner with ice cream cones in hand. Dusk had Boysenberry while Fluttershy had Banana.

"I had a nice time, Dusk, thank you." Fluttershy said meekly, proceeding to hide behind her ice cream. Dusk smiled sweetly and nodded.

"So did I. When do you want to make plans for next time?" he asked. Their conversation was interrupted by a speeding blue unicorn who tripped over the victor of the previous match. Dusk caught her and helped her upright.

"I see you're back. What's got your panties in a twist?" Dusk asked. Trixie took a moment to catch her breath. She'd managed to get some good milage on that bear. Dusk offered her some of the apple juice in his bottle, which she took gratefully.

"Left... through... Everfree... Accidentally camped... in an Ursa cave... Pissed it off... Now running. For. My life!" she managed to groan between breaths. She felt like she was about to have a heart attack. Dusk raised a brow in response.

"Fluttershy, are Ursas in your repertoire of animals to... persuade?" Dusk asked. Fluttershy shook her head, shying away behind her ice cream. Dusk sighed, looking into the distance where the Ursa was approaching.

"Please! You've got to help me. You're the only one here with a chance at defeating an Ursa Major." Trixie begged, grabbing hold of his shirt. Dusk growled and shoved her off, knocking her to the ground.

"That may be true, but I see no reason why I should help you. You're a liar and a cheat with no real ambition. As far as I'm concerned, the Ursa would be doing the world a favor by eating you." he said. Trixie couldn't believe what she'd just heard. Nopony would be so cruel as to suggest she was a waste of life. Tears filled her eyes and she stood to her feet. Thinking it over, she realised that Dusk was right. She was alone and unloved. She looked back out to the Ursa pursuing her and made a split second decision.

Without another word, she decided to face the ursa alone. She was prepared to die, but she wanted to at least give fighting it a shot. Upon seeing Trixie, the Ursa burst into a rage and began to charge. Trixie stood completely still, building up the courage. Her horn lit up and she pointed it at the Ursa. She tried to create a ball like Dusk had used on her and had succeeded to a degree. Seeing this made Dusk's brow rise.

Trixie took her best shot and fired. As it collided with the Ursa, there was a massive explosion. The creature roared in defiance as it was sent flying back into the Everfree. Trixie was surprised to learn that her attack worked. What she didn't know was that another attack more powerful than her own hid behind her own. She was speechless, but managed a surprised gasp. She fell to her knees and began to laugh hysterically.

Fluttershy smiled at Dusk and kissed him on the cheek. "That was very kind of you, Dusk." she said. Dusk looked at her with a slight smile.

"I have no idea what you mean. She took it out all on her own." he replied. Fluttershy giggled and leaned into him.

"Of course." she said.

Ponies gathered around the battlefield and spotted Trixie in a state of awe. They all began to wonder what had happened. Who had vanquished that Ursa? Was it Trixie? Was it somepony else? Applejack and Rainbow Dash approached Trixie and stood over her.

"I guess you'll be going now." Dash said. Trixie looked up at her with a confused look planted on her face.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Ya'll still lied to us and disgraced us. Proving you actually took down an Ursa Major ain't enough for us to forgive you." said Applejack.

"So go back to wherever it is you came from." Dash ordered. Trixie recalled the fate of her carriage and what that meant.

"But, I don't have a home anymore The Ursa smashed my caravan. I'm homeless." she said.

"That ain't our problem." Applejack replied coldly. Dusk sighed and looked to Fluttershy who was looking at him hopefully. He knew she wanted him to do something for her. Wasn't saving her life enough? Sighing one more time, Dusk stepped forward after having Fluttershy hold his ice cream.

"Alright, that's enough you two. She's been through a lot, even if that was just an Ursa Minor." Dusk said. Trixie looked up at him in disbelief.

"Minor?!"

"Come on, Dusk. Do you really think she deserves our pity after what she did? She made me dizzy for the first time, she made Applejack develop a bondage fobia, she turned Rarity's mane and tail swampy green and she literally shot you in the back." Dash argued. Dusk blinked for a few seconds.

"Wait, she turned Rarity's mane and tail green?" he asked, a grin reaching his lips. He then began to burst out in laughter. The image that brought up sent Dusk to the ground, gripping his sides. The girls just growled at him. He was impossible to deal with.

After a minute of laughing harder than he had in ages, Dusk managed to stand up and brush himself off. He looked to Trixie and offered his hand. "Listen, I saw you beat the Ursa. You tried to use the same trick I used on you after you'd seen it once. You showed the potential to become a great Unicorn." he said. Trixie took his hand, but only used it to get to her knees. She then bowed down before Dusk.

"Please, teach me?" she begged. Everypony was taken aback. Especially Dusk. He wasn't sure how to respond. "I'll do everything you say without question, I'll devote myself to your teachings, I'll... I'll... I'll sleep with you if that's what it costs." she declared.

"Good luck. You'd have a better chance of getting away with murder." Dash grumbled.

"That won't be necessary. There's a spare room in the Library. If you promise to help Barb with the maintenance, I'll teach you what i can, when I can; providing you devote yourself to my teachings." Dusk offered. Trixie grinned and bowed even lower.

"Thank you.. Master!" she exclaimed.

"Oh, Celestia, some really sick shit's going to happen in that Library." Lyra whispered to Derpy.

"I don't think Dusk goes in for that stuff." the wall-eyed pegasus replied.

"That's the sick part." Lyra groaned.

"Dusk, you can't be serious. This mare has humiliated us and you're offering to train her?" Rainbow Dash protested.

"Unlike you, I'm not willing to let something as idiotic as dizziness and getting hog-tied stop me from being the better pony. I could hold a grudge over the fact that she shot me in the back, but I'm bigger than that. I'd have thought you two would be as well. Right now, if you two really were my friends, I'd be ashamed to call you as such." Dusk snapped at the pair. Both the pegasus and Earth pony withdrew their objections and were humiliated for the second time that day.

Dear Princess Celestia,

Some ponies are born to have friends, others make friends as they progress, and then like me, there are those who have friends thrust upon... nevermind. I made a new friend of sorts, per your orders. Her name is Trixie Lulamoon. Once a Fake showmare, she is now my student in magics. While my other friends are apprehensive about allowing her to remain unpunished for humiliating them, I feel that perhaps they are the ones who need to learn about friendship from time to time. In short, it can take a bad situation to bring ponies together, but it can always come at a cost, however temporary.

Your ever loyal student,
Dusk Shine.

P.S Tell Luna to stop sending me those love poems. While I appreciate the fuel for the fire, Barb gets sick very easily. Plus, they're awful. Don't let her read this or she'll send me to the moon. Let her know I appreciate her feelings, but explain to her why I can't return them... at least not yet.

Author's Note

So, this is side-story 1 (S.S.1). I'd planned to do it in progressive Chapters like the Nightmare Moon thing, but I just couldn't stop. Anywho... I hope you like it. I forget what Trixie wears under the cape, I think it was robes styled after her trademark hat and cape.

And for future notice (because I can't be bothered writing it into the story) Applejack wears clothes like this, Rainbow Dash like this, Rarity like this, Fluttershy like this, Pinkie is like this, Gleaming Shield, Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Chrysalis, Trixie and finally Dusk