Chapter 23
-- Fireworks and Glimmers --
“COME ON KIDS! ONE MORE LAP!”
Comet ran alongside Ocellus, panting as they went down the track. Comet’s right hind leg was tied to Ocellus’ left hind leg. A challenge thought up by Rainbow Dash to help students strengthen bonds by running a race, keeping the same pace with their friend to avoid a tumble.
The rainbow manned pegasus was relentless in her class, wanting to push her students to better themselves. She wasn’t on Spitfire’s level of intensity, but she aspired to be so in the future.
Comet and Ocellus were in second place, behind Silverstream and Gallus. They were catching up, but only had a bit more track to go. They tried to push forward but Ocellus started to breathe more intensely, showing that she was at her limit. Comet saw this and slowed down to match her new pace, letting her other two friends finish the race.
When the race was over, Ocellus sat down and panted.
“Sorry Comet, I guess I’m not much of an athlete.” She said apologetically.
“Hey, what matters is we had fun right?” Comet said.
Both mares smiled and giggled at each other. Silverstream and Gallus came to them and joined in on the laughter.
“Nice race guys. Man, I need a break after that one.” Gallus said, a little out of breath.
“Yeah, it was so super close.” Silverstream said.
“Totally awesome.” Rainbow Dash said, coming up to the group.
The four students looked to see their teacher walk up to them and give them all a confident grin.
“You guys totally killed it out there. Everyone else tried to outpace each other.” Rainbow said.
The four friends grinned and all giggled again. Rainbow couldn’t help but smile at the sight. They had finally recovered from their ordeal in the forest. Tourmaline was gone and was never coming back. It was a rough few days at the beginning but they stayed together and pushed through the worst of it.
Rainbow blew the whistle that was hanging around her neck.
“Alright kids. Class dismissed. Hit the showers and head to lunch.” Rainbow said.
Gallus went towards the boy’s locker room while Comet and the two girls went to their own. The girls all had their lockers next to each other, so they were never apart. Comet straightened out her braid with a little mirror in her locker. Silverstream and Ocellus toweled themselves off, the sweat from the exercise clearing up nicely.
“So Comet, what do you want to do Saturday?” Silverstream asked.
Comet hummed for a moment, “I don’t know. What sounds fun to you girls?”
“Not sure. No big test to study for. No assignment. Nothing to do.” Ocellus said.
“We could take Yona and Smoulder and have a girl’s night?” Silverstream asked.
“I don’t really feel right leaving Sandbar and Gallus out of the fun. Maybe we can stay here at the school and just hang out?” Comet replied.
“Can’t think of anything better to do.” Silverstream said.
The three girls finished up and met Gallus at the door back into the school proper. The lunchroom soon came into view, as well as the rest of their friends. Sandbar, Smoulder and Yona stood at the entrance to the cafeteria, giving happy smiles to their friends.
“Hey guys, who won the race?” Sandbar asked.
Gallus chuckled, “Me and Silverstream, was there any doubt?”
Silverstream giggled while Comet and Ocellus gave him a roll of their eyes, but not without a smile. The group all laughed and went inside to get their food. Lunch consisted of several different dishes, as the group was so different in their palettes. Smoulder, Gallus and Silverstream all had salmon, flown in from Mount Aris. Ocellus and Comet shared pasta salad, leftovers from Comet’s dinner the previous night. Yona went for a hay sandwich.
“So, anyone have any ideas for this weekend?” Comet asked.
“We were hoping you guys would have something. We got nothing.” Smoulder said.
“Yona is bored. Nothing exciting happen.” Yona said after swallowing half her sandwich in one bite.
“We can hang out in our dorms.” Ocellus suggested.
“I guess we can do that. We can go ask Miss Starlight if I can stay with you over the weekend. Dad should be with her after their morning coffee, so we can ask both of them.” Comet said.
The group all nodded and finished their meals. Making their way out of the lunchroom, they headed in the direction of the counselor’s office. Starlight and Trail would no doubt be there by now. As the group got closer, they could hear talking even from a good distance away. The voice was muffled by the door, but Comet didn’t recognize it as Starlight or her father.
“Trixie will dazzle the crowd with her magical talent!” The voice rang out.
Comet and her friends got to the door and knocked on it gently. The talking stopped and a second later, Starlight opened the door to see Comet and her friends.
“Comet! How are you all doing?” Starlight said, happy to see her student.
“Hi Miss Starlight, is Daddy here?” Comet asked.
“He sure is. Come on everyone.” Starlight said, opening the door fully to let them inside.
The group came inside to find two more ponies sitting on the couch. Trail Blazer of course, but the blue unicorn Comet did not recognize. But something was familiar about her.
“Hey kiddo, aren’t you supposed to be at lunch?” Trail said, getting back to hug his filly.
“We finished early and wanted to ask you and Miss Starlight if I could stay with my friends in their dorms this weekend?” Comet asked.
“I don’t have a problem with that. Starlight?” Trail asked.
“Not at all. You can bunk with Ocellus and Silverstream. But lights out at 11 pm.” Starlight said.
Comet, Ocellus and Silverstream squealed with delight, jumping and hugging each other for a bit. When they came down, Comet caught the eye of the blue mare.
“Who are you, Miss? I don’t think I’ve seen you around Ponyville.” Comet asked.
“My dear child, you are looking upon the Great and Powerful Trixie!” The mare introduced herself.
Comet took a moment as the name seemed familiar, memories flooding in from a time she spent in Vanhoover while her father was on a job. Auntie Zala took her to a stage performance, near the center of the town park. A mare standing on the stage making beautiful fireworks with just her magic. Comet was so starstruck that she wouldn’t stop talking about it for a week.
“I remember you! You were the magician in Vanhoover years ago! The one who made all those pretty fireworks!” Comet exclaimed.
Trixie was startled a little by the filly’s sudden outburst, but quickly grew a smile and struck a pose.
“Why yes, Trixie did grace the streets of Vanhoover many years ago. Trixie is most pleased you remember her dazzling performance.” Trixie proudly said.
Comet squeed and ran up next to her, “That show was so cool. Are you here to do a show in Ponyville?”
Starlight walked over to her friend and student, “She sure is. I’ll be assisting her too. It’s tomorrow night.”
Comet’s eye widened, “You get to assist in the show? That is so cool!”
Trixie smiled and put a leg around Starlight’s shoulder, “Trixie would never do a show in Ponyville without her best friend.”
“You two are best friends?” Comet asked.
“Yep. Trixie was the very first friend I made when I came to Ponyville. Not counting all of Twilight’s friends.” Starlight said, chuckling as she looked at Trixie.
“That is so cool!” Comet nearly screamed.
Comet then immediately ran to Trail, “Can I go to the show Daddy? Can I please?”
Comet was about to bust out the puppy eyes before Trail cut her off, “Alright sweetheart. No need for that. Of course you can go.”
“Yeeee. So how much for the tickets Miss Trixie?” Comet asked.
Trixie faked shock, “How could Trixie even think of charging her best friend’s student to attend her show? You are most welcome to come and enjoy the show Comet.”
Comet was so excited she was practically bouncing in place. She ran towards her friends in almost a blur.
“Guys! You totally got to join me! It’ll be so cool!” She nearly screamed.
“I would love to see a magic show.” Ocellus said, looking excited.
Silverstream and Yona both looked eager as well. Smoulder, Gallus and Sandbar looked less than impressed with the idea, but went along with it due to not having really anything else to do.
“And don’t worry about your tickets, kids. I’ve got you covered.” Starlight said.
“Thanks Miss Starlight” All of the students said in unison.
“You’re welcome. Now it’s almost time for lunch to be over. You all need to get to class.” Starlight said.
All of the kids moved out the door in a hurry, not wanting to be late. Rarity was particularly picky about tardiness.
The next day…
“This is so cool!” Comet said, moving along the path.
“Calm down there sweetheart. People might mistake you for Pinkie Pie with all that hopping.” Trail chuckled.
“Oh leave her be brother. She is allowed to be excited. This show promises to be quite the showstopper.” Zala said.
“I don’t see why ponies are so interested in magic shows. You see unicorns use it all the time.” Tala said, taking a bite of her beef jerky.
Comet was on Tala’s back in seconds, “Because it’s not everyday magic. It takes hard work and practice. Like I’ve been doing with Starlight.”
Tala smirked back at her, “So you saying you want to be a stage performer kiddo?”
Comet shrank back and fiddled with her braid, “I don’t know. I don’t think I’ll ever be that good.”
“Nonsense my dear. You are a wonderful student and near the head of your class. You shall be a spectacular mage one day.” Zala said encouragingly.
Comet beamed at her aunt, “You really think so?”
“It is written in the stars sweetie.” Zala said.
Comet giggled and hopped off Tala’s back. The rest of the way to the show went pretty quietly. The sun had gone down and the street lamps illuminated the path. Soon they could see a crowd of ponies gathered in front of a large stage. Lights were fixed all around the stage and out into the crowd. Comet saw her friends near the front row, next to Starlight. She immediately went towards them.
“There you are, Comet.” Starlight greeted her.
“Hi everyone. Miss Starlight, shouldn’t you be backstage with Miss Trixie?” Comet asked.
“I wanted to make sure you made it. And I see you brought the whole family.” Starlight said, looking back to see Trail and his sisters.
“Howdy there Starlight. Hope to see a great show tonight.” Trail said.
Starlight giggled, “We’ll be sure to give you a great show. I gotta get backstage. You got the kids from here?”
“Roger that.” Trail said.
Starlight went backstage and the group all sat down, waiting for the show to begin. It was about fifteen minutes after she left when the show began. Smoke came out of the stage and from the smoke, Trixie appeared, still in her hat and cape.
“Greetings Ponyville. I am the Great and Powerful Trixie! Here once again to dazzle you with her show. And please give a warm welcome to my number one assistant, Starlight Glimmer!” Trixie said, introducing herself and Starlight on the side of the stage.
“The Great and Powerful Trixie has much to dazzle you with tonight. So let us begin with a grand fireworks display, Trixie’s signature performance.” Trixie said, lighting up her horn.
The light of her horn soon shot out into the air, making beautiful fireworks that danced across the sky. Explosions of color and light painted the night sky with wonders that made the crowd “oooh” and “aaaaww”. Comet was in awe as well, loving the display as she had done so many years ago. And the years since had only made it more spectacular. After a few minutes of fireworks, they died out and the attention went back to the stage, which had other materials scattered about.
The show continued with the classic card tricks and other such minor acts. Comet enjoyed them as well, especially the rabbit out of the hat.
“And now mares and gentlecolts, The Great and Powerful Trixie will begin her final act for the evening. But first, Trixie requires a volunteer.” Trixie said, looking out to the crowd.
Comet was the first to raise her hoof, bouncing in her seat to try and get Trixie’s attention. She was in the front row, so her odds were good. Trixie looked around for a few seconds before her eyes fell to Comet.
She grinned and pointed at Comet, “You little filly. Come join the Great and Powerful Trixie on stage!”
Comet squealed and immediately ran for the stairs to the stage. When she got there, Starlight gave her a little hug and led her to a box in the center of the stage.
“The Great and Powerful Trixie will now explain her grand finale. First my assistant shall place our volunteer into this box.” Trixie said, tapping the box.
The box opened from the side and Comet was gently laid inside. The lid was closed and the sound of a lock could be heard. She then heard the muffled voice of Trixie.
“As everypony can see, there is no way out.” Trixie said.
Comet then felt three taps on the box and a strange sensation around her body. The box was spun a full 360. When she stopped, the box was opened and the crowd looked at her in shock.
“Tada! The filly is gone!” Trixie said.
The box was closed once again and spun another 360. When it stopped, three more hooftaps on the box and the lid opened again. More shocked expressions from the crowd could be seen.
“Oops. Trixie supposes she must have gotten lost. No worries, Trixie is sure she will turn up somewhere.” Trixie said.
Comet giggled a little, but not too loud to be heard. She then felt another strange sensation around her.
“Let us go back to a fun one. Assistant, would you mind reaching into Trixie’s hat? Trixie believes she left another bunny in there.” Trixie said.
Starlight grinned as her horn glowed, and as she reached inside the hat, Comet saw a portal appear beneath her. She eeped as she was pulled through the portal. Next thing she knew, she was being held by her tail upside down for all the crowd to see. The audience gasped and soon stomped their hooves in applause.
“Thank you, thank you. The Great and Powerful Trixie thanks you for coming to her show. Please give a round of applause to Trixie’s assistant and our excellent volunteer!” Trixie exclaimed.
The crowd roared as the sound of hooves stomping and a few claps could be heard throughout the night.
“That was the coolest show ever! How did nopony see me in the box? Invisibility spell?” Comet asked.
“That’s correct, Comet. Trixie cast it on you as I put you inside.” Starlight said.
“Indeed. Though the credit for the portal spell goes to Starlight. It was her idea to spice up the old disappearing box trick.” Trixie said, taking her hat off.
The three mares were sitting in Trixie’s trailer, as Comet had wanted to know how the last trick worked. Plus, she wanted to talk with the two mages more.
“Your fireworks were also really cool Miss Trixie!” Comet said excitedly.
Trixie flipped her mane, “Naturally. Trixie has been casting that spell since she was a filly.”
“Could you teach me that spell?” Comet asked.
Trixie looked taken aback by the question, “Well, Trixie has never taught anypony before.”
“Oh please, pretty please. It would be so cool to do magic like that.” Comet said.
Trixie smiled, “Well Trixie does admit it would be an excellent addition to your arsenal of spells. Trixie will accept this request.”
Comet squealed and hugged the mare’s leg, Trixie taken aback once again from her actions.
While the two were separating, Starlight couldn’t help but feel something in the pit of her stomach. Comet had always been so excited for their magic lessons. So it would make sense that she would be excited to learn any kind of magic. Trixie’s firework spell would be easy for Starlight to teach Comet, but Trixie was more experienced with the spell. It made sense.
But if that was the case…
Why did seeing Comet hug Trixie like that make her feel weird?