Chapter 100 - Restoration
As always, Fluttershy proved to be a wonderful listener, and had allowed Trixie to finish unopposed. Not even recounting the tale of Angel’s attempt of burning down the house had gotten any argument out of Fluttershy, but it did provoke a quick promise to have a talk with him about it the next time Fluttershy found him. She only interrupted now and then to ask for clarification, especially when Trixie was attempting to explain why Derpy was being completely irrational.
By then, Trixie was not quite so sure she was in the right anymore; Fluttershy’s shocked expressions during her attempts to help Derpy had already shaken her confidence, even before Fluttershy asked a few damning follow-up questions, such as ‘did you try, uhm, not yelling at her?’
With her 'defense' for her behavior with Derpy being picked apart, Trixie decided a change of topic might be best. She quickly brought the topic around to sharing her concerns on what might happen once her recovery was sufficient, that the Mayor would have her arrested. Although Fluttershy did not appear to take Trixie’s fear of an unfair trial very seriously, apparently fully convinced justice would be served, like the sweet naïve pony she was.
Finally, Trixie arrived at the most disturbing matter. As she told Fluttershy all about the imminent attack she was expecting from Ponyville now that Derpy would have told them Trixie’s location. Strangely, it had not seemed to phase Fluttershy much. In an attempt to impart the horror, Trixie dramatically tried describe the scene of angry ponies, carrying pitchforks and torches, storming their little cottage and dragging Trixie to a pyre.
“And they will set it on fire and chant some weird earth pony tradition chant about burning witches!” Trixie waved her hooves around franticly.
Fluttershy’s expression had slowly been changing while Trixie explained, and she looked away from Trixie as she started to shake. Clearly she was finally getting the idea, though Trixie had disliked needing to be so detailed on such a gruesome subject with her. But, to Trixie’s complete surprise, Fluttershy rung out the cutest little giggle, and tried to hide her muzzle in her hooves. Her shoulders gently shook with laughter, despite Fluttershy's best attempts at containing them.
Stunned, Trixie uncomprehendingly blinked at Fluttershy for several seconds before giving her a harsh glare. Fluttershy was much too relaxed, giggling even. Trixie had expected Fluttershy to panic, so she’d tried to down play the danger initially, but she’d never have expected to be laughed at! These were big issues! Why was she laughing!?
“You are not taking Trixie seriously at all!”
“Oh,” Fluttershy suppressed another giggle to the best of her abilities, “S-sorry. I-it’s just, I thought you were kidding… Where did you, erm, get those ideas?”
“Get them? This is what happens! Everypony knows that! We have to get out of here, maybe hide out at the Apples, or run away. Something like that?” She couldn’t believe this was even a question.
“So, uhm, how many ponies have you seen b-burned at the stake?” Fluttershy winced a little just at the notion.
“Trixie’s seen over—uh…. Well… Trixie’s… heard about it?” As she spoke, Trixie looked out the window, checking for any late arriving angry mobs, and, more importantly, avoiding Fluttershy's gaze.
From the corner of her eye, Trixie saw Fluttershy staring at the couple of books that she’d deemed safe enough not to hide from her. “You’ve… heard about it? How many cases can you recall specifically?”
“T-that’s not important. Why does it matter how many Trixie can name off the top of her head?”
Fluttershy spread out one wing and ran a primary feather over the spine of a book in the middle of the pile. “And, uhm, what about stories?”
A blazing fire seemed to rise up through Trixie’s neck as she came to realize what Fluttershy was aiming at, and the worst part was she couldn’t really argue with it. “A-a couple, maybe. Look, just because it happens in books and stories doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen in real life!”
Fluttershy flinched and snapped her wings back to her sides, quickly shaking her head. “N-no, of course it may have happened once, somewhere, but… I just don’t think anypony in Ponyville ever would.”
Trixie crossed her forelegs over her chest and frowned. “What about the ponies that tried to attack Trixie? Who knows what they’d have done to Trixie if Big Mac hadn’t been there.”
Hiding behind her mane, Fluttershy whispered, “y-you think they’d have burned you?”
“Well… uh, no...” Trixie admitted. “But, they could have k-killed Trixie.” An involuntary tremor ran through her body as she thought back to how frightening it had been, how helpless she’d felt. Biting back tears, she directed her attention to Fluttershy again. “If…if it was just Trixie… that’d be one thing, Trixie might escape, but what if… what if they decide to take care of the other ‘witch’ while they are here?”
Fluttershy tilted her head confusedly. “Uhm, I’m sorry. What do you mean?” Trixie just stared at Fluttershy meaningfully, causing Fluttershy to wilt and lay her ears flat. “…Oh… Did Rainbow Dash tell you?” After receiving an affirming nod, she sighed. “S-she shouldn’t have done that…”
“Trixie, erm, outwitted her. She didn’t intend to tell Trixie. It’s just Trixie, uh, deduced it, then tricked her into telling the rest an—” Trixie’s rambling halted as she saw Fluttershy smile at her.
“I-it’s okay. You don’t have to cover for her. I’m sure she only told because she thought it was better if you heard it from her. It’s, uh, silly, isn’t it?” Fluttershy gave an awkward, sad chuckle. “But… since you know now… It was never any secret where I was, and, well… Nopony has ever tried to come here to hurt me, so…” she trailed off and just looked at Trixie.
“…You’re saying Trixie will be safe here, because if they were too scared to come here and deal with just one ‘witch’ all this time, then there’s no way they’d try to tangle with two?” Although the idea was completely outrageous, Trixie found the notion that the town's ponies were as scared of her and Fluttershy as she was of them, strangely comforting.
“Oh! No no.” Fluttershy franticly waved her hooves while shaking her head as though she were physically fighting the concept off. “I just mean the ponies aren’t as bad as you think. N-not that they are scared of me—us, of us. They’re just nice. Or, uhm, nicer.”
Eyebrows raised, Trixie truly doubted any claim that the ponies were any nicer than she gave them credit for. She had witnessed their darkness first hoof after all, such as how quickly they could turn on a pony, even their own fellow townsponies.
Still, she couldn’t bring herself to go kicking against whatever delusion Fluttershy had convinced herself to interpret their actions as; it was obviously some sort of coping mechanism. “…Yes, of course. How silly of Trixie. They are just good ponies who’d never try to lead some kind of witchhunt.” She forced a laugh and waved a hoof dismissively. “Trixie doesn’t even know why she was thinking that before.”
Tilting her head, Fluttershy sat stunned with a confused look on her face for a couple of seconds, ending with just a smile and nod. “Oh, uh, good. So, uhm… are you okay now? About the pyre I mean?”
“Yes, thank you. Trixie just needed a, uh, alternative view on the situation…” Sure, it had not been exactly how Trixie had pictured the outcome of the conversation, but she had to admit she was feeling much better with this new outlook on her life. Even if it hadn’t really been her intention to be feared, and the prospect worried her a little in terms of getting anything done later. In particular, she could think of at least one pony who was clearly afraid of her, that shouldn’t be. “So, what do you think about Derpy?”
“Well… She seems afraid of you, now.” Something in Trixie’s face must have betrayed that the comment hurt, as Fluttershy quickly rambled on, “b-but that’s okay! It’s only a, uh, misunderstanding, right? So you just need to talk to her.”
Trixie groaned, exasperated. “That’s what Trixie has been trying to do all this time. It doesn’t work! How is Trixie supposed to tell her anything if she just keeps thinking Trixie’s mad at her!? If she’d relax this wouldn’t be so excruciating!”
“T-Trixie? I, uhm, know you’re frustrated, but, erm, could you maybe… not… yell? If you don’t mind, that is?” Fluttershy asked, mostly hidden behind her mane. To her credit, she managed to remain on the couch, despite Trixie’s outburst.
“Uh, right. S-sorry. It’s just… Trixie hates this… She tried to talk to her several times, but it always backfires somehow.” Trixie slumped against the back pillow of the couch, laying her head back to stare up at the ceiling. She loathed herself for scaring Fluttershy too, but it was difficult to pay attention to how she spoke sometimes. It had never been a problem before, or at least not one that Trixie had cared about.
“It’s okay.” Fluttershy soothed. Thoughtfully tapping her hoof against her chin while she pondered, Fluttershy mused quietly, “a dark alley, the hospital, the edge of the Everfree Forest…”
Perking up one ear, Trixie glanced over at Fluttershy. “What?”
“Oh, I was just thinking… It might not be entirely your fault—I-I mean, uhm, not that it is mostly your fault, or, uhm, no, I’m not saying it is b-but,” Fluttershy stuttered, and pointed to the door. “I-I just mean, you never met Derpy somewhere that she felt comfortable; all three of those places are kind of scary all on their own, right?”
With a twitch of her eyebrow, a tinge of annoyance sparked inside Trixie, but it mostly died when Fluttershy actually offered an interesting point. “Go on.” Her curiosity piqued, she quickly sat up straight.
“Well… Maybe it would be better if you spoke to her somewhere she felt safe? If she’s in her comfort zone, she won’t panic so easily, and you could apologize to her?” Fluttershy gave a hopeful smile.
“That… could work.” Trixie returned the smile. “Yes, yes! It’s genius. Trixie just has to talk to her when she’s comfortable!” Of course it had been a brilliant idea to talk to Fluttershy about how to deal with a scared pony, she had tons of experience! “Thanks, Fluttershy. Oh, but, where? This is the most comforting place Trixie knows, and it didn’t work.”
A blush shimmering through, Fluttershy nodded. “I-I’m happy you think so, Trixie. Uhm, well… Derpy doesn’t, y-you know, live here? Maybe we could go and visit her at her home? I’m, uh, pretty sure she doesn’t have a cloud home, because of Dinky.”
“Right! A pony would naturally feel more secure at home—“ Trixie paused, although these days she often considered this place to be her home, and really wanted it to be, she knew deep down that it wasn’t, it was solely Fluttershy’s; Trixie merely recovered there in lieu of the hospital. However, had Fluttershy just let on that she considered this Trixie’s home too? A warm feeling ignited in her chest, and quickly fanned out upward to her cheeks. A lovely, glowing emotion left her happily grinning like a complete idiot. She could feel her tail attempting to wag a little, and did her best to squish the urge down. Despite her best efforts, Trixie failed, and she hoped Fluttershy didn't notice what her rebellious tail was trying to indicate. She worked to at least sound natural as she continued the conversation. “T-Trixie approves of this plan! So, where does Derpy live?”
“I’m not sure…” Fluttershy’s tone of voice felt a little off, and she preemptively hunkered down on the couch. “But, I’m sure that Mayor Mare would know?”
It was as though a bucket of ice water had been dropped on Trixie, chilling her to the core as she gave Fluttershy a look of disbelief. “W-what? Trixie can’t ask her! Haven’t you been listening? She’s the one that’s trying to have Trixie arrested or locked up or something!”
Surprisingly, Fluttershy didn’t shy away as Trixie ranted, giving her an empathetic look instead. “D-don’t you think that, uhm, i-it’s better to… get it over with? At least you’d know what the, err, ‘result’ is. You’re just eating yourself up over it now… I—I just think you’d be happier.”
“Happier? But, what if Trixie is thrown in jail? Or banished? Or burned!? Or, or—” In the middle of listing off her nightmares, Trixie’s breath caught as she suddenly felt Fluttershy pull her into a hug.
Holding Trixie in a warm embrace, Fluttershy was so close to Trixie that even her whispered voice was loud and clear. “—or what if you just have to pay a fine? Or do a little community service? Or promise not to lie again? If you turn yourself in, that might even help.” She slackened her grip, pulling away just enough so she could lock eyes with Trixie. “W-won’t you please consider it?”
Trixie should have loudly protested, to push Fluttershy away and scold her naivety, but instead all she could do was return the hug. While Trixie was held snugly in her embrace, for some reason it was impossible to think of all the fears she’d had a moment ago. All she cared about was the sweet mare that made her heart beat so rapidly that her only fear was that it might explode.
After inadvertently assaulting Fluttershy in the kitchen, Trixie was sure Fluttershy wouldn’t be comfortable with having her close again for a long time, if ever. Rarely had she been so glad to be wrong.
Trixie could feel Fluttershy’s warm breath on her lips, she was so close, and staring almost expectedly at her. It would be so easy to just inch forward a tiny bit.
“Trixie?”
N-No! Snap out of it, Trixie! With every ounce of willpower she possessed, Trixie forced herself to stay put. She couldn’t make the same mistake twice, betraying Fluttershy’s trust and pushing her boundaries again. As she wound down, she became vaguely aware she was supposed to be giving an answer, and slowly nodded. “Y-yes… b-but only for you, Fluttershy.”
Blushing, Fluttershy shot Trixie a delighted smile. “T-that’s wonderful. Oh, I just knew you’d be brave. N-now, uhm, i-is there anything else you want? T-to talk about, I mean.”
Without thinking, Trixie eagerly nodded. There definitely was something Trixie could think of that she wanted! After the clarification registered with her, she faltered. She could perhaps still venture to ask about it, but she was scared of pushing Fluttershy too far too quickly. “T-the Great and Fearless Trixie, uhm, w-would liiike,” she drawled while her eyes darted across the room, looking for an excuse until they settled on the table. “To know what this l-letter is about! Yes, that!” She pointed to the simple, folded letter that had come with her books. “It’s for you. Trixie didn’t read all of it—didn’t read it! Trixie means she didn’t read it!”
If only she wasn’t such a magnificent liar, then maybe Fluttershy wouldn’t have released her to go get the letter. At least the look of concentration on her face while she read the letter was cute. “Oh, it’s from Twilight. She says Rainbow Dash asked for your books, and she is sending them here. Uh, oh, I guess you knew that already, sorry.”
Trixie just smiled impishly. “There may have been some subtle hints Trixie has picked up on.” Talking to Fluttershy had worked out much better than she thought it would. Although she was not exactly thrilled with her suggestion to turn herself in, it made a certain amount of sense. If any other option presented itself however, Trixie had little doubt she’d go with whatever it was instead.
A content smile found its way to Trixie’s lips when she found the most pressing worries in her mind were now much more manageable ones like ensuring she figured out something fun to do with Fluttershy, how much she missed having Dashie interrupting her every five seconds, and some looming sense that she’d have to figure out how to make a living at some point. Maybe she’d share that last one later, there was no rush.
Giggling softly, Fluttershy read on, showing a puzzled frown. “Oh… uhm, Trixie. Did you have any, uh… weird books?” She looked at Trixie over the edge of the letter.
With her face set ablaze Trixie stuttered and stumbled, embarrassed to death that Twilight would mention such a thing in the letter. “N-no! Of course not! M-maybe some um, reading material unfit for foals, but that isn’t weird! A-and Trixie is sure Twilight has some too!”
Fluttershy blinked, and glanced at the letter again. “Oh, okay, it’s just that she says she gave all the books back, except one that had a ‘weird magic field’. She just wants to run some tests first. Uhm, also… There were… ones that were destroyed beyond r-repair, I’m sorry, Trixie… Twilight did her best, but they didn’t all survive.”
A weak, involuntary chuckle rose from Trixie’s throat before she even became fully aware of it. “Hehe… what?” She must have misheard, it couldn’t be true, not now.
Passing the note to Trixie, Fluttershy got off the couch, offering an encouraging smile. “Oh, please don’t worry. I’m sure Twilight will be able to help you find copies of the books you liked,” Fluttershy said, then made her way into the kitchen. “I’ll get lunch started, or, uhm, finished? Could you set the table, please?”
It was a fair bit past lunch time already, but her rumbling stomach was the least of Trixie’s worries as she made some vague affirming noise while snatching up the letter.
Dear Fluttershy,
You are probably wondering right about now why there is such a big package on your doorstep.
You see, a couple of days ago, Rainbow Dash crashed through my window visited the library, and requested I ‘fork over’ what remained of the books recovered from the stage wagon that was destroyed during the Ursa Minor attack.
Naturally, my first instinct was to check her for any concussions with her if I had understood her correctly.
The books had been delivered to the library, though how she came to be aware of this, and why she wanted them, I do not know. Either way, I had come into possession of them earlier that week, and properly filed them away, precise alphabetical order, then library style (first word, excluding ‘The’, ‘A’, or ‘An’). With the exception of a number of books either too badly damaged, or books in need of repair.
However, due to Spike misplacing the checklist, —I gave it to her, she just doesn’t remember -S— I was unable to find them all on the spot, and promised I would have them delivered to her house.
In what I assumed to be a gambit to reserve her cool reputation, she instead demanded I had them delivered at your address. I hope it does not inconvenience you.
Please note that some of the books may be of a por sensitive nature, which I was not aware of at the time, and it may be best to leave the books wrapped up until Rainbow Dash retrieves them. I don’t know how Rainbow found out about this, but no matter what books happened to catch her interest, I’m just happy she’s taken any interest in reading. In the likely scenario event that she only takes the books that she was too embarrassed to ask about with her, could you send the remainder back to me?
Addendum:
In a happy accident, last night’s storm led to an impromptu sleepover at the library with Rarity and Applejack. It was so much fun that I am thinking about making it a regular event, but they seemed less enthused by this offer. I thought perhaps it would be a good idea to poll the rest of our friends, what do you think?
Ah, but I’m getting off track. During the night, I paradoxically recovered my check list due to the tree crashing through my roof sudden strong drafts in my bedroom making a complete mess of everything. Also, I learned that Trixie may still be in Ponyville, and that Rainbow Dash knows where she is. I suspect the books are probably for her. Because of this, I will make sure to restore all the books I can before sending this.
Addendum Two:
I regretfully have had to declare several books as ‘unrecoverable’. I know this must be a very painful experience for Trixie, please give her my condolences.
Also, during the restoration process, my Weather-Damage Detection spell picked up some strange magical interference from a book titled ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’. I’ve decided to hang onto the book for a little while, so it will not be included in this shipment.
Originally I thought it might have been some kind of transmogrification spell, but almost all reversing spells that I know have not paid off. Still, I am almost sure I am not looking at the real book. Come to think of it, It might be some type of illusion spell? Well, I never really had to study that school, Spike. It always struck me as a better idea to just learn how to really do something, as opposed to learning how pretend I could do it. It’s just pointless, but maybe I should brush up on it? I’m really curious now. Wait, why are you still writi—She never gives any kind of sign. Hey, Fluttershy? Could you do me a favor and destroy this letter when you get it? Twi wants me to edit it till it looks proper, but it’s only a note. Thanks! -S
Your faithful friend,
Twilight Sparkle
Stats
Page generated in 0.048 seconds
Total duration
976 users online
1,253,341 hits today, 2,004,447 yesterday
FIMFiction
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfiction
Designed and coded by knighty & Xaquseg - © 2011-2024
Follow & Support Us
Support us
SubStar
Chat!
Discord
Follow us
Twitter
MLP: Friendship is Magic® - © 2024 Hasbro Inc.®
Fimfiction is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Hasbro Inc.®
You know that is actually a pretty good reason for Twilght not to be good at illusions. I usually go with the route of illusions requiring a good imagination and with how Twilight is more book and logic smart she tends to not be that good at it.
5421600
Thanks.
Coming up with a sound reason for Twilight to be bad at something magic related is tricky. Heh. Being such a clever magic genius book worm.
I hadn't thought about the imagination angle before, that's an interesting way to go about it. Huh, thinking about it, I guess that from that perspective, Twi would be either easily fooled by illusions, or easily see through them, depending on how much sense the illusion in question made. Like if it were an illusion of a berry bush in the wrong season.
Brief summary for topic:
So wait... Ponyville actually thinks Fluttershy is a Witch? Why? The first time we ever saw her 'Stare' was in Dragonshy, and even then, how would everypony know about it?
I was actually thinking the other 'Witch' Trixie was talking about was Zecora, since she lives IN the Everfree Forest, and everypony including all of the Mane Six, (Minus Twilight and Spike) are scared of her. But then Fluttershy is responding to Trixie as if it was her.
As for that letter in the end, I completely forgot Spike writes out Twilight's letters as she's talking! I was wondering what the Bolded part of the letter was all about, especially right here:
But then the last part of the letter made it hit me.
5421634 Illusions was how she beat Trixie during the Magic Duel. Maybe she didn't learn how to be good with them till then!
5421749
That wasn't illusion magic though.
Although, I'd be willing to entertain the notion that smoke can be part of illusion magic.
This was an awesome Hearths' Warming Eve gift. I so want to punch Ponyvillians right now. Are you sure they learn their lesson besides AJ and RD? Sure they learned they were in the wrong, but everypony else (well 99% of them) fill me with the need to face punch them. And technically Trixie wasn't lying, she was telling a story as an entertainer as a means to entertain her crowd from those who were destroying her stage and ruining her show.
Still good chapter, and I can't wait for more. This is seriously a great story, I'm glad I read it.
5421755 I didn't say it was illusion magic, I just said it was illusions. You don't need magic to fool the eye if you do it right. That's what an illusion is.
But now that I say that, I seem to be implying that if illusion magic did exist, then Twilight probably still would know nothing about it, even after that episode...
Actually, no wait... The Crystal Empire... where that door shows you an illusion world of your worst fear...
5421741
Yes, Fluttershy is the 'witch' in question. Though to be clear, it's not something everyone, or even most ponies, believe to be true. Rainbow Dash explains it a bit in Chapter 90
The stare doesn't actually feature into it, although it is worth mentioning that while it is true that we, the audience, see Fluttershy use it for the first time in Dragonshy, that does not mean it is the first time Fluttershy used the stare. But actually, It works pretty much the same way how humans decided some people were witches: if someone behaves strangely, doesn't have much of a social circle, talks to animals, that sort of thing.
Yeah, I tried to make that a little clearer by adding the -S to it, but I guess it didn't quite work. I'm glad you worked it out.
5421760
Happy Hearths' Warming Eve.
Be gentle with the Ponyvillians, just today, peace on earth and good will towards ponies and all that?
It's funny how if Trixie had told the story and said "Harry Trotter defeated the Ursa Major!" Then noone would have argued she was lying. Actually it just occurred to me that it might sorta look like Fluttershy is accusing Trixie of lying, but she's just listing things the Mayor might want from Trixie.
Thank you!
More on the way, vacation at last, so hopefully I'll get a little bit more done. Provided I don't get bogged down in the seasons festivities too much. 
5421770
I agree.
I agree, again.
Good point. I think that would even count as the second bit of straight up illusion magic we see in the show. The first instance was Nightmare Moon with the "Shadow Bolts" to tempt Dash (Though Twi didn't see that), and arguably the "Scary Trees" that Pinkie Laughs at. (Though that may have just been the ponies own minds playing tricks on them when they were scared.)
I guess maybe Discord could be said to use illusions, but I don't think anything Discord does counts as illusion magic, more like he just twists reality to do whatever he wants.
5421804
Don't worry I'll be gentle. I'll leave Gentle Persuasion, and the Ban Hammer at home for today. Although Love and Tolerance might be coming with me to remind them of the holiday spirit ... although Holiday Spirit (homebrewed, holiday alcohol) I'll keep at my house as well since it tends to be a bit rough the first time around.
And yeah I figured that it was a list of things the Mayor might ask. Fluttershy's too nice to call Trixie a liar. Especially since she's such a kind hearted mare.
Hope that your vacation goes well. I don't get my vacation until hopefully two weeks after Elementrary Schools summer break ... if I'm lucky XD. But have fun, and hopefully we can see more of your amazing fic. I'll admit that I'll be sad when the series is over, but if the following fics after this one are anywhere near as long as this, I'll have a very long ride before that happens
.
5421778
Nah, don't worry about it. I tend to miss some of the most obvious things sometimes.
As for the part with Ponyville believing Fluttershy is a Witch, you would think that would have some sort of tie to Zecora. And after that episode, Ponyville was very acceptive of Zecora being in town.
Actually, now that I think about it... even though Trixie was suggesting Ponyville was scared of dealing with two witches, if it were true, to them, it's really three. Ponyville already knows that Zecora lives in the Everfree Forest, considering her first appearance they already knew her name... But wait, if they're so scared of her, how did they even learn her name? And if Ponyville obviously hasn't raided her yet, Fluttershy is at ease because she knows this. But she didn't tell Trixie. Maybe because she didn't want to tell Trixie? But what harm would bringing that up be? Because she doesn't want Trixie to know that there is a real Witch living in Ponyville, and right nearby?
*Brain hurts.* Okay, forget it. I can't figure this witch thing out at all...
5421824
I forgot about that, but actually, I don't think the Shadow Bolts were really illusions. I guess their form would be illusions, but then that'd be thinking like the Changelings. Otherwise, their physical forms were physically there. They were just a part of Nightmare Moon as that thorn that was stuck on the Manticore's paw, so, say what you would about that being an illusion.
Yeah, I think Nightmare Moon was using a transformation spell, not an illusion spell. I'm not sure how I would explain those trees, but then, I don't understand how laughing would disable the spell...
Discord, well, he does seem to do some sort of illusion spell to their eyes. Most noteably Rarity, as we've seen from her line sight, a giant diamond, but in reality, a giant rock. *Cough* Tom *Cough* (You didn't hear that from me)
5421844
Zecora's episode has not happened yet. Though there is a slight difference in that absolutely everyone, including Fluttershy, believe Zecora is a witch. (Which is true. For once. Just not an evil one.
)
If someone were to walk into the cottage. They would deal with Trixie&Fluttershy. Zecora is a witch, but she lives deep in the Everfree Forest, so she doesn't factor into the equation. I hope that made sense?
Maybe the first time around she walked up to somepony and said "Hello good pony, my name is Zecora. I have come for your head—" then got cut off while the pony ran off screaming before she could finish with "—dresses, decorated with flora." So they know her name that way?
Zecora's place is in the Everfree Forest, raiding her place would require heading into the Everfree Forest, which nopony dares to do in the first place.
Trixie isn't at Zecora's place. Instead, she's at Fluttershy's and scared somepony would come get her. So, Fluttershy only mentions that no bad pony has ever come to her house, because it that was all that she thought was relevant at the time.
... Okay, that's a pretty compelling reason not to tell her too.
5421884
I don't think we actually saw if they had physical forms, they never touched anything. The NM Shadow thingy touched stuff, but the Shadow Bolts didn't.
Oh, huh. I wonder. Shining armor apparently never noticed he could feel holes in his wife's legs. So presumably their disguise has mass, but then, I wonder if it counts as illusion magic, or some sort of transformation magic.
Now, I could try to make an argument that Discord warps a ponies individual reality, or that he makes them actually crazy... but no, I think I would be stretching a lot, and I have to concede on this.
Good point, I'll accept that Discord can and probably has used illusion magic while messing with Rarity, and quite possibly Rainbow Dash.
5421904
I know it didn't happen yet. I was trying to express that they knew she exists at this time. (Most likely before the Nightmare Moon episode since Bridle Gossip was the first time Twilight ever heard of Zecora.)
Makes sense to me! They'd still be treading pretty close to the Everfree Forest though.
...That... is a very interesting head cannon. It makes too good of sense not to be true even... I could so see something like that being done in a fanfic... The Wise and Friendly Zebra, Who Everypony Thinks is a Witch...
I was referring to this because she isn't always in the Everfree Forest. Fluttershy would be at ease because, everytime Zecora entered Ponyville, nopony dared raid her then.
Which works better? At that point I was just speaking without thinking.
5421829
"Gentle Persuasion, and the Ban Hammer" These sound like weapon names, the second one seems self explanatory, but I'm not sure what the first would be?
I've got the good fortune of having a job related to schools, so my vacation line up pretty well.
Hang in there, just remember, by the time you have a vacation everyone else's will be over, and it won't be as busy if you try to do something with your free time. 
Don't you worry, I can promise there is much more to come still. Though I might possibly cut into a sequel after the next arch so the fic doesn't get to even more absurd lengths in a single story.
(And possibly to have some slightly different tags.)
Besides, I am way to addicted to awesome comments to quit.
5421930
They touch the ground. They kick up dirt as they come to a stop from their running. And because I just want a third reason, they use magic with their eyes. i.imgur.com/4CzhbyC.png
That last one was totally not relevant at all...
Shining Armor was hypnotized. I don't think he would've said anything even if he did feel it.
Here's your argument. Discord makes them drunk, but only through their eyes!
5421988
what if the dirt they kick up is an illusion as well?
Man 100 chapters already. It send lije I just found this story recently
5422644 Between the dirt they kick up and the sound they create from their steps, a transformation spell would be so much easier to use than an illusion spell keeping sync with physical forces and audible sounds at the same time.
5421985
Gentle Persuasion is Silver Scripts' Sledge Hammer from LunaVerse (Love and Tollerance is his baseball batt). I have a baby sitting job while my mother wors watching my baby bro whose in pre-k. I told her that I'm keeping Summer Break away from it, but I'm giving her 2 weeks of my time off so she can find someone else to watch him those months.
A sequel would be a good idea. Possibly expand it into a series every few major arcs.
Also couldn't help but look at 5421988 comment and wanted to throw my two cents in.
I go by the fact that Changing transformations aren't illusions, but are actual shape-shifting magic. After all they have to go interact with numerous ponies in numerous situations with numerous chances of getting touched or bumped into. And in traditional elemental magic, fire is the Element of transformations.
The mind rape thing was just to get Shiny to ignore obvious discrepancies in Chrysalis' s behavior. While making him more susceptible to her cover story / lies.
As for Discord. While he's a bonfide reality warper, that trick he used was mind rape, for all the many fun tropes of Dissy visit his tropes folder. But yeah mind rape is easier than reality warping, and allowed him to hide the fact he did anything while doing the greatest amount of harm to the only known thing (that he knew of at the time) that could hurt him.
5422711
so, nightmare moon turned herself into 3 ponies? Telekinesis could be used to simulate a body. It wouldn't fool a pony, but it would interact with it's environment and do things like kick up dust.
5422648
Hah, oh right. Yay, 100 chapters.
I completely forgot to do something special with it, though I guess I wouldn't have known what to do anyhow.
5422711
5423545
On the one hand, I'd want to argue that it must have been a complicated illusion, because if it had been Nightmare Moon in disguise, then surely she would have been able to physically (or magically) stop Rainbow Dash from repairing the bridge? There seems to be no logical reason that Nightmare Moon would not have actually attacked Rainbow Dash, unless she was unable to do so at the time. Of course, that is assuming her goal was to actually stop them from progressing. *cue conspiracy music*
5423087
But at the same thing, it all looked interesting enough to learn more about.
I really should get around to reading some Lunaverse stuff. So far all I read was one where Trixie was fighting through her heat, which was actually very surreal to read since everything I knew was wrong.
I like the idea that Changelings actually change shape, as opposed to merely conjure up an illusion. It does make more sense for them to be able to do so, otherwise it would be awfully easy to unmask a changeling merely be checking them for invisible horns/wings. I think you might even see some minor evidence for that during the changeling fight scene as some moves might have been impossible if the disguised changelings had horns. You also never see them fly when they are disguised as unicorns or earth ponies.
Mhm, mindrape, as it is described on the tvtropes page, sounds a lot more dark than how they displayed it in the show, but that makes sense I suppose, because first of all its a kidsshow, and second of all I suppose Discord would have more fun with the way he twists them than merely traumatizing them.
5424151
Well, if you're gonna question why she doesn't attack Rainbow Dash during that Shadow Bolts bit, I'm gonna answer it with a question myself. Why does Nightmare Moon choose very specific, yet complicated, methods of trying to stop the Mane Six?
The first one was knocking out a part of the ground, even though two of them could fly. The second one was having a Manticore attack them, rather than attacking them herself. The third one was trying to scare them with those trees, which I still don't understand how laughing scares them off. The fourth one, which makes the least sense of all, slicing the mustache off of a sea serpent so that he would create endless strong waves to stop the ponies' progress, even though two of them could still fly over it. The fifth one being trying to get rid of Rainbow Dash through temptations, which would stop that flying problem, but only half way.
And then the last one, Nightmare Moon finally resorts to attacking, when Twilight Sparkle finds the elements. So I ask, why didn't she do that from the beginning?
5424151
Yep, all it would take is a bump or walking near them feeling invisible body parts and it'd be wrecked. I always saw it as a shapeshifting ability that was as natural for them as it is with other pony types expressing their innate abilities.
As for Discord, he did technically force their minds to act in ways opposite of their nature / see what wasn't there without heir consent. And he had to forcefully change Fluttershy, so yeah it's a more Rated E mind rape, but the mind was still forced to things without their consent XD. And it puts a whole new light on Lesson Zero, and hostilities towards Discord after his release by the Mane6 when you look at it in that light.
As for L!verse, Here's Season 1. and Here's the Movies / Tie ins with their chornological place in the timeline.
Hoenstly I love the movies / tie ins. Lots of good sttuff. Although I'll warn you, if you read any of GrassandCloud's stuff, don't bother ointing out errors. He never fixes anything and will ignore you if you mention them (one of his fics has a year old error fix that still hasn't been touched). But the other authors are rather awesome and friendly.
5424310
Right. She only directly gets involved towards the end, and appears to have things under control well enough, so why didn't she do so in the first place? It looks like she is using just about minimal effort to get rid of them, or at least to stall them.
I think perhaps this is because Nightmare Moon is not there herself. Instead, she's controlling that lil shadow part of herself remotely while she's busy herself doing something else; Perhaps she needed to stall for time while putting the final touches on keeping Celestia out of play?
Another option is that her power is not unlimited, and she was just trying to conserve energy. After all, they were no real threat to NM as they were. It is only when they actually find the Elements of Harmony, which are a real threat, that NM recognizes the danger and steps up her game, stealing the elements, and destroying them.
Which is still strange, because it's not like the elements were hidden, she could have destroyed them at any point before the mane6 got there... Oh, that might be it. What if NM was not there? Suppose she was some place else, maybe Canterlot, setting her plan in motion, and it's only when she figures out 6 ponies are trying to find the elements that she hurries back to the castle, using weak remote magic to either stop them entirely, or at least stall them long enough so she can arrive before they activate the elements, and take care of business herself?
5424386
Huh. Kind of interesting that Fluttershy, who he violates the most, ends up being the one who forgives him the easiest. Though yeah, it's quite a bit darker if you think about it. Interesting.
Thanks!
5424151 I never thought of it that way. What if nightmare moon wanted the elements of harmony to be used on her? Hmm, I'll have to think about that.
5424310 well, I think there a two main reasons why nightmare moon didn't attack right away, both are from a writer's perspective. First, it wouldn't be very exciting and the episode would end that much sooner. Second, since they hadn't found the elements of harmony, it would have been a massacre, not very kid friendly. As for actual canon reasons, it could be because nightmare moon was still gathering her strength. I think it's possible that not all of the challenges they faced where actually nightmare moon, for example maybe the manticore stepped in the thorn. I don't think laughter drove the trees away, I think it just showed twilight and the others that they didn't have fear them.
5424489
It is interesting, I mean, Rainbow Dash who had it the easiest, was more ticked off at Dissy than Flutters was. But then again Fluttershy wouldn't have been able to reform him at least a little if she wasn't willing to go out of her way to be nice.
And you're welcome, I'll admot that it took me quite awhile for me to give the AU a shot, but it's one of my favorites.
5424549
You might want to watch that episode again. We see that shadowy figure of Nightmare Moon going straight towards a Manticore, which cries a roar of pain when it does. Just before those trees appear with those faces, the shadowy figure enters one of the trees. Even the sea serpent mentions that a purple shadow slices his mustache. All their challenges were influenced by Nightmare Moon.
Which is why I don't understand why those trees' faces disappeared by laughter when Nightmare Moon herself clearly created them.
Well, looks like I got 6 chapters to read. God I got lazy with coming back to this site, I got 39 chapters missed from my favorites. I'll consider them as christmas gifts.
Stay jolly, and don't have too much nog.
5424632
alright, I was in the why the eff are we watching thus little kid piece of junk phase with the show when my friend sat me down to watch it. I haven't watched it again yet. Im not sure about the trees
5424635
Welcome back you lazy heathen.
Enjoy your gifts.
i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj120/ryonalionthunder/MLP/Hearthseve_zps231f12da.jpg
Trigger Word!!
orig01.deviantart.net/f8c1/f/2012/193/f/c/funny_left_4_dead_witch_by_unknowntryhard1-d56zmr1.jpg
38.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3j9zfMb2H1qcb7k0o1_500.gif
6129421
Oh Celestia, the nightmares are coming back!
Don't startle her! For the love of all things don't startle the witch! 
Oh god that letter.
The things that must have gone through Twilight's mind when she added 'Rainbow Dash wants pornographic books' to 'Rainbow Dash knows where Trixie is.'
Corrections;
Fluttershy tilted her head confusedly.
the notion that the town's ponies
their actions as; it was obviously
Comments;
Pinkie Pie hasn't been crucified yet. Your argument is invalid.
Celestia makes sure no one hears about the lovers she has gotten bored with.
Case in point, sexy threesomes.
This can't possibly go wrong.
Or forced into Celestia's harem?
Sounds like a certain future princess can't keep her mouth shut.
I wonder if Twilight ordered copies of the "not foal friendly" books, or if she already has copies under her bed.?
6129421
Sorry, couldn't help it.
And with that quick unintended jab at her school of magic, Trixie now has a reason to be steamed with Twilight