//------------------------------// // Dodge This. // Story: M.A.G.I.C. Tournament // by RarityEQM //------------------------------// Spike poked his head in from the kitchen when he heard the door open and slam shut It was late. Later than he expected for any visitors. The library was closed, and that meant... "What did you forget?" He found himself saying, before he realized it was the cobalt unicorn that had poked her head into the house, instead of the purple unicorn he had expected. They stared at each other for a moment, before Trixie's frame settled into a relaxed state, lowering her guard and giving a Spike frown. She only did that when she was expecting a fight... "Twilight's not here. She's uh, already gone to Canterlot to help out with the Minotaur stuff. " The little dragon explained. Trixie's facial expression didn't budge. She simply wandered into the kitchen with a sigh. "Oh." She mumbled softly, while Spike sheepishly followed behind. She pulled out bread and peanut butter before slumping down quietly into one of the chairs at the table. She wasn't hungry. And everything was kind of tasteless anyway. Spike frowned and sat down next to her silently, biting at his lower lip. If only he had the right words to say, but all he came up with was: "Hey? I know Twilight, okay? I've been with her since...forever. She's my sister, my mother, my family...and I know you're the most precious thing to her in the world. She really really wanted to go to your magic thingie. She hates disappointing her friends, and since your extra special to her, ya know, she hates disappointing you most of all. She said I could take her place, i-if you wanted. " The dragon squeaked quietly. Trixie's muzzle twisted into a ghost of a smile and she leaned across the table. "You're one in a million, Spike. And for what it's worth, Trixie believes YOU are the most valuable thing to Twilight, and by proxy...me too. Trixie insists, you join her at the M.A.G.I.C. competition!" She gushed, and drew in a deep breath, and flashed him the most dazzling smile she could. "And Trixie shall win!" She announced- provided she could find her way back to that crazy zebra... * * * The next day, Trixie had figured it out. She thought she had it figured out. At least, part of it. It was an earth pony magic called "hypnosis." There was something about the way Zecora moved, the rhythm of her voice and the way she talked. All of it was designed to grasp and control Trixie's attention. In addition, she had a way of commanding Trixie's senses. Probably part of the hypnosis thing. Trixie had discovered, in the short time after meeting Zecora, that the zebra was far more resourceful and dangerous than she thought. Zecora, through her strange hypnosis, could dominate one of Trixie's senses. Smell, sound, vision- it didn't matter. When Trixie found herself lost in thought and focusing on hearing, Zecora had already moved and prepared her next attack. Sneaky zebra. While she was seeing what she thought was Zecora, her brain was just seeing an echo of a memory...or...something. Trixie didn't really know how it worked, (And drove herself into a headache trying to unravel it during the night.) The trigger was the humming, Trixie had decided. The soft, rhythmic sound that resonated from Zecora seemed to put everything into effect. It was her ace in the hole- the powerful card she held. No need to fight if the enemy is absolutely lost to the sound of your own voice. Not that it helped her out any at the moment and at the moment, 'hypnosis' was the least of her problems. "If these duels, you are to brave, your energy, you must save." Zecora explained to the little blue unicorn, struggling to hold her balance on the surface of the pond she stood on. It really was simple. Stand on this pond. Rotate these rocks in a circle using telekinesis. For every rotation around the pond, add another rock. The test was over if the rocks fell, but you could have them circle the pond as fast or slow as you wanted. A common practice for testing a magic user's concentration. A simple enough spell, and a little concentration had Trixie standing on water in no time flat, and a small chain of rocks circling the pond in a wide ring. That was before the beanbags. Beanbags. Zecora had a small pile of them, sitting next to her. She frowned at Trixie and lifted one of the bean bags up in a hoof. She looked at it, then Trixie and pointed her hoof at her. "Powerful, I see you are, your future's bright, like a star! But it's focus you must learn, If victory you wish to earn." Zecora explained. Trixie rolled her eyes. Really? "The Great and Powerful Trixie already HAS foc-ACKPT! NOT FAIR!" Trixie squeaked, as Zecora whipped the bag at her before she could finish her protest. Trixie, who was extremely unprepared for a beanbag to the face, gave a squeal and splashed into the pond below her. The little blue unicorn snarled, as she poked her head free. Zecora gave a quiet chuckle, rolling her eyes at the wet mage. "These lessons I have may seem stern, but It's something, you need to learn. " Zecora explained, picking up another beanbag as Trixie regained her footing. She barely had a chance to register the next beanbag before it clocked her in the face- sending her back down to the bottom of the pond. "How is Trixie supposed to dodge while she's focused on standing on water! It's impossible! If Trixie takes a single step, Trixie gets all wet! The spell fails!" Trixie barked, prying herself from the wet depths of the pond. Zecora however, simply picked up another beanbag. "Precision movements are the key, dodge my throws on bended knee." Zecora explained, pausing for a moment to let her words sink in. Trixie frowned, but climbed back into position, waiting for Zecora's next throw. Bended knee...If Trixie could dodge without moving... is that what the zebra was talking about? Dodge without taking a step? Was that even possible? She paused. Just because she was standing still didn't mean she couldn't move. Did that make any sense? Trixie peered at Zecora, who idly tossed a beanbag to herself, waiting for the perfect time to strike. When she finally threw it, Trixie was ready to try something new. She bent her knees as much as she could and focused... and got clocked in the face with a beanbag. Zecora gave a disappointed sigh and hefted another bag. To the blue unicorn's credit; she kept trying. And she kept trying. All afternoon in fact, and as the evening sun started to sink from the sky, Trixie wondered if this really the way to learn focus, or if she was the toy of a crazy zebra There were just too many things happening at once. Hold the rocks, stand on the water, dodge the beanbags. How was she supposed to deal with this? And Zecora's cryptic, rhyming hints did little more than frustrate her. "One thousand, three hundred, and forty-eight. We'll be here forever at this rate. " Zecora grumbled under her breath, lifting up another beanbag and whipping it at Trixie's face. Trixie bent low as she could, and breathed out through her nose. Circular breathing techniques raising up to kiss at her thoughts while she did her best to hold the ring of rocks steady while at the same time, trying to keep her mane dry. She dipped to the left in a fluid motion, awkward, but fluid. Bending her knees and getting as low to the water as she could, before sweeping to the left let the beanbag whistle past harmlessly. They stared at each other, before Trixie began to grin wildly. Zecora gasped. "Wait- don't!" She tried to warn, but it was too late. The success of finally, FINALLY achieving her goal flooded through her, and Trixie gave a cheer. "I DID I-" Were Trixie's last words, before she found herself at the bottom of the pond again. * * * "Your movements are clumsy and slow, but soon your progress you will show! Your movements must be swift and slight, if you wish to win your fights. Dodging here will be your key, so do your best and follow me. "Zecora had explained. Much to Trixie's ultimate surprise the Zebra stood up, and dipped herself fluidly to the right, then the left, rolling her shoulders with snake like movements. Still settled on the pond, Trixie did her best to follow along- twisting her hips and shifting her weight to match Zecora's movements. To her surprise, regardless of how late it had become, Trixie found herself having fun. She was soon following along with Zecora's motions with ease, all while still planted on the water. She felt like one of those old books, training with the master on an open field during a sunset. Only it was night time by now. And instead of an open field, it was a horrible and dangerous forest. ...Eh, close enough. "These skill you practice, your body will burn, but in time, you will learn. " Zecora explained suddenly, before turning around where she stood, and pointing in the direction of her hut. She gestured for Trixie to follow suit, and the pony eagerly leaped from the surface of the pond and followed Zecora. They entered the hut together, where Zecora closed the door, and latched it. Trixie frowned. Was this it? She was fine with the end of training but... "So...are you taking Trixie back to town now?" Trixie asked, watching fearfully as Zecora slowly prepared a bed roll. No...Spend the night in the creepy forest? True, Trixie was exhausted, and was about ready to collapse, but what she wouldn't give for her bed right now. Ugh. Sleeping on the floor? On the very ground she was walking over a few hours ago? What was this savagery?! "...Trixie would like to go back to town now." Trixie coughed. Zecora ignored her, finishing the little bed roll she had provided and turned towards Trixie with a tired smile. "The forest now, dangerous to us, so tonight, you'll sleep here, thus." Zecora explained, gesturing to the bed roll. Trixie frowned. She was willing to put up with the Zebra's crazy training, but this was all just to much. She didn't sign up to spend her day soaked and sleeping on the ground was the last straw! "The Great and Powe-" She paused. Something about the way the zebra started to glare at her gave rise to concern. Zecora was tired, and it was clear she did not want to put up with this now. She'd spent her entire day training this ungrateful, arrogant little... "Trixie would prefer to sleep in her bed...if it is possible. Although....a hammock will do. Trixie will never get to sleep if she is on the floor!" Trixie announced pridefully, glancing at the hammock in the corner of the room. Zecora's bed. Zecora followed her gaze, before she threw her head back and laughed. And laughed hard. "In my bed, you will not snooze, I promise you, this fight you'll lose. But an answer I have for you, take a sip of my special brew." Zecora explained, sliding over to her potion table, where she grasped a small blue vial and popped the cork free. She turned towards Trixie who crossed her arms and turned away with a pout. "Trixie does not consume things that could contain high fructose corn syrup." Trixie explained quietly and winced at Zecora's glare. Slowly, timidly she accepted the bottle, and drew it too her lips taking a quick pull. It was HORRID. "ACK! WHAT?! Is it not enough you to try and drown Trixie but you must poison her as...as well..." Trixie mumbled, her tongue filling up her mouth entirely, and the room grew warm. Like a relaxing bubble bath. Slowly, Trixie started to grin. Those were delightful feelings shooting through her frame, and they only seemed to be getting stronger and stronger. Oh, my, this was quite nice. Oh, yes, very nice indeed. "Now, if you could please tell me, are you feeling at all sleepy?" Zecora asked sweetie. Trixie turned her head towards the silly zebra and gave a wide drooling grin. "Very." She cooed warmly. Zecora smiled and patted at the bed roll, where Trixie promptly sat down with a smile. "That brew you drank, will help you sleep, it relaxes, nice and deep. In my village, this game we play, to see how long awake we stay. " Zecora explained. How long they could stay here? For a brief moment Trixie was slightly baffled by the mysterious quip, but she found the answer in short supply. The sweet, tingling sensations of whatever it was that she drank, were getting stronger and stronger. She felt like she was floating up off the ground and it tickled wonderfully. At the same time, she was getting sleepy. Sleepier and sleepier. She blinked once, then twice, now struggling to keep herself awake. All the while, Zecora watched over her vigilantly with her quiet smile. After a moment or two longer, Trixie's eyes rolled back, and she collapsed into the bed roll with a cozy grin. "Good night pupil, now you rest, you've quite far to go on your quest. " Zecora sighed, tucking the sleeping Trixie into the bedroll. Now to get some sleep herself...