//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4 
// Story: The Pony Anastasia 
// by Creativa-Artly01 
//------------------------------//

A few weeks later, Trixie returns to her grandfather Speckled Moose's to learn more about her mother and father. "What were they like, mom and dad?" asks Trixie with yearning eyes. 

"Your mother, well, she was an angel, she meant everything to me. She was the favorite of my five daughters. She was also the most curious of them as well. Her big sisters always were telling me what trouble your mother was getting into. Ruby Heart, Sapphire Soul, Golden Sunshine, and Moonlight were the more favored by their mom than myself, your grandmother Reina. We lived happily until your father, the son of the leader of the gypsies, Lord Great Steed, fell head over heels for your mother upon first sight. When they were old enough, Black Spade started courting your mother. It also turned out that she returned his feelings. By the time of your mother's thirteenth birthday, she was wed to Black Spade," Speckled Moose tells her.

"Wow!" says Trixie wide eyed. "What other practices did the gypsy tribe have?" 

"Well," replies her grandfather, "they married mares off at thirteen like I told you, when foals turn ten years old-they begin training for the colts and manner classes for the fillies. At only two years of age, foals are inducted in by a blood swearing ceremony. That's about all. Can I continue your parents story now?" Trixie nods. "Good. Come your mother's fifteenth birthday, she was found to be with foal. She was pregnant with you. Her attendant, Evening Flower managed to keep this secret from your father until the time was right. When it was, she told him on your mother's behalf. A year later, your mother gave birth to you. You were smaller than the other newborn foals, so your mother raised you for a few weeks until you could survive without her milk, then she abandoned you, which is when your adoptive parents found you and took you in. You never were able to grow up and get the proper magic training when you came of age, which for members of the tribe was when they are seventeen years of age for both mares and stallions."

"So I was never properly trained? I never had the chance to be. Why did my mother hate me so-enough to abandon me, enough to name me Weak Spark?" demands Trixie.

"Yes, you weren't properly trained, that's why you can only use parlor magic. When it comes to your mother's hate of you and the reasons she abandoned you, not even I know that, sadly," replies Speckled Moose bowing over and looking at his hooves, "I'm sorry." 

"It's okay," says Trixie, tears in her eyes.

"You sure?" her grandpa asked concerned. 

"I'm sure," replies Trixie, repressing the tears. 

"Maybe we should continue this tomorrow," says her grandfather. Trixie nods.

"Thanks for telling me more about my parents," says Trixie as she hugs him before walking off down the mountain.

That evening back in Ponyville, Trixie makes herself a nice hot cup of coffee and sits down at the table in her little wagon. She still can't wrap her head around everything she's been told from both her grandpa and Twilight over the last few days. Honestly, it's rather overwhelming. She picks up the cup and takes a sip of coffee. A few minutes later, she gets a knock on her door. She opens it. It's Starlight. She gladly welcomes Starlight inside and gives her a cup of coffee. 

"How'd your talk with your grandfather go?" asks Starlight before taking a sip of coffee.

"It went well," replies Trixie taking another sip of coffee. "I learned so much about gypsy culture, about my mother's childhood, so much I never knew before today." 

"That's great!" replies Starlight. 

"Yeah, I guess, I still don't know much on why mom abandoned me, though," replies Trixie. 

The two continue to talk until the moon appears in the sky and Trixie even ends up letting Starlight spend the night. As Trixie sleeps on the table, Starlight sleeps comfortably on the couch. Starlight is glad Trixie has enough trust in her to open up to her about something this important and life changing. 

The next morning, the two friends rise with the sun and Starlight helps Trixie with some more advanced magic spells just like she promised. After a few hours of practicing spells, Trixie and Starlight part ways. Trixie goes to talk to her grandfather again while Starlight heads off to meet up with Twilight for a brunch with the princesses. Everything is changing and now, there's no going back.