//------------------------------// // Chapter 89- Duel At Dawn // Story: Reformed Unicorn Group Podcast // by Quoterific //------------------------------// “So in case you fellow listeners are wondering what is happening, Trixie went too far again, and now has challenged Starlight to a magic duel at dawn, similar to what the wizards of old would do to settle a dispute,” Sunset explained. The R.U.G were outside in an open field on the outskirts of Ponyville. A crowd has over gathered, after hearing what went on the show and that Trixie was bold enough to put posters around the town and up on the town hall notice board. The element bearers were present as well. Twilight facehoofed, remembering her duel, even though it was with a magial amulet used by Trixie. The R.U.G. also asked the Princess of Friendship to be the judge of the duel. She wanted to settle this in a friendship-problem way, but at the look they gave, she reluctanly caved in. “One does love to see fireworks, but not the kind I do,” Tempest snickered, “Though I think we know the winner already.” “Alright,” Twilight huffed, sounding reluctant to do this, “On my right is Starlight Glimmer, and on the left is Trixie. The duel will start at the drop of the white handkerchief, which is when a unicorn will draw the first spell the quickest, and the other unicorn will have to counter it. It will continue back and forth until one unicorn is unable to duel anymore. Is that understood?” She turned to Starlight and Trixie who nodded in understanding. “May the best spellcaster win. One, two, three…” Twilight dropped the handkerchief. Starlight was the quickest to draw her magic, channelling it and unleashing a sharp lazer-beam towards Trixie. Trixie was quick to react, releasing her smoke bombs, she disappeared in a puff of smoke, appearing with another bang next to where Starlight should have hit. “That was unexpected, but a brilliant display of her show-skills by Trixie,” Sunset observed. “Just like when she used them in Chrysalis’ old hive,” Starlight muttered. Trixie was next, levitating decks of cards and aiming them at Starlight. With her magic, Starlight cut them into paper origami butterflies, which fluttered around Starlight. “It will cost me a lot to re-supply those cards!” Trixie shouted back. “Then you shouldn’t have used them. What’s wrong? Ran out of tricks?” Starlight mocked back before lifting the entire water out of a pond and flung it at Trixie. Taking a bunch of flowers, Trixie transformed them into teacups, catching the water without a single drop landing on her. “Thank you for teaching me that one!” Trixie said triumphantly. “That’s new,” Tempest watched. By now, the crowd was cheering. Twilight just rolled her eyes. It was like the Iron Pony Competition between Applejack and Rainbow Dash, but with magic instead of sheer strength. Trixie was the next attacker, shooting her magic fireworks at Starlight, who blocked them with a shield. Twilight smiled at that one, remembering her magic lessons with Starlight. “This duel is getting more interesting,” Tempest admired, “They are using their skills really well there.” “Starlight should have the magical advantage, but Trixie is using her experience as a performer well,” Sunset looked back and forth between the two duelist. Starlight was the next attacker, summoning a dark storm cloud and focusing a sharp lightning bolt at Trixie. With another smoke bomb, Trixie was gone and reappeared again, levitating several large mirrors. She levitated them around Starlight and fixed them to the ground. Now Starlight was seeing multiple Trixies, but one had the real Trixie reflected back. In frustration she used her laser to break them. “You are going to be one unlucky pony after this duel,” Trixie laughed, “Stating with you losing this duel!” “I should let you write a report at my counsel office,” Starlight smiled wickedly, “It’ll be called how to lose to a true magic user!” “Fighting talk!” Sunset smiled. “You are talking like when you were battling Chrysalis,” Trixie mocked, “Why don’t you show me what you’re made of!” “Gladly,” Starlight countered with summoned flying pies. “Glad they were for Trixie and not for me,” Rainbow laughed in the crowd. “One day,” Pinkie muttered, “One day I will see you eat one.” Trixie transformed the into showering roses, bowing towards the crowd as they fell around her. The crowd gave another applause. Trixie then turned to the crowd and shot some of her wands at Starlight. She countered them, transforming them into confetti. She levitated the confetti pieces to Pinkie. “You can use them for your party canons for supplies,” Starlight winked at Pinkie. “Thanks!” Pinkie shouted and sniffed them, “And they’re cupcake-scented, like the ones Maud gave me on our gift swap!” Starlight delivered the final blow, showering Trixie with apples that exploded to sauce, much to Applejack’s horror. Trixie was covered with sauce from hat to cape, a gagging look on her face before fainting in a pool of sauce. The crowd cheered as Twilight checked Trixie over. “Trixie is unable to duel any further, the winning of this duel is Starlight!” “I heard an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but this is ridiculous,” Applejack huffed. “Learned that from Yona,” Starlight triumphantly smirked, “Applesauce is quite effective at creating a yak-mass of things.” “And there you have it, listeners,” Sunset concluded the duel, “Starlight has won the duel at dawn”. “Trixie isn’t finished,” the showpony wheezed as she wiped the mush out of her coat. “We are going to help Trixie get cleaned,” Starlight triumphantly smirked, “But for now, that is all for today and we hope to see you all again soon.”