//------------------------------// // Great and Powerful Reunions // Story: Equestria: A Flux Tale // by Star Sage //------------------------------// "You're related to that wind bag?" demanded Rainbow Dash, pointing an accusing hoof at Trixie, who only now seems to notice that anypony else was standing behind her brother. She looked from one face to the other, obviously not recognizing any of the, until her face fell on one in particular, and her eyes suddenly got rather narrow. If looks could kill would be the phrase you'd use, but considering you were in a universe with working magic, looks probably could indeed kill, and Trixie's still wasn't, if only because there were too many witnesses around. "I see you've made the acquaintance of Ms. Sparkle and her friends, big brother. Now, before I challenge her to a duel, why don't you explain why you left me at the mercy of ruffians like them?" said the show pony, turning towards DawnChaser, who, unnoticed to all, had taken the distraction to bolt in the opposite direction, and was running as fast as his hooves could carry him. "Why you?! Get back here!" she shouted, and dashed off after him, using her magic to aid her, her horn glowing and causing her hooves to do the same, allowing her a limited air walk ability you'd never seen before. It seemed to work too, allowing her to easily overtake her target, who instantly turned himself around, and ran back towards the rest of you just as she landed in front of him. "Bye sis!" he cried over his shoulder as he bolted again. This time Trixie was ready for him though, and his own hooves were soon flailing uselessly in the air for a moment, until, defeated, he hung his head low, and was escorted back to the group by a rather satisfied with herself looking Trixie. Twilight, and even Luna, looked rather impressed by this feat, as the blue mare set her sibling down, and then, held him there, as evidenced by his sporadic struggles to move his still glowing hooves. "Now then, explain your actions, brother!" she demanded again, and after a few more struggles, DawnChaser sighed, and hung his head low in defeat. Well, at least he looked defeated when he sighed, but he looked mad when his head rose back up. He looked very mad in fact, and it was a little scary. When someone whom you know can grow larger than a house is mad, it's probably a smart idea to make sure your life insurance is paid up. This didn't deter Trixie tough, who just stared right back at him, the two shoving their faces at each other. "Explain what, DEAR sister? Explain that you took your talents for granted, or that you tried to steal a centuries old treasure from a native people, or perhaps that time you attempted to lower the sun back down when you wanted to sleep a few more hours," he spat at her. "Trixie is not taking her talents for granted! The Great and Powerful Trixie is merely stating the fact, that she is indeed Great and Powerful, while you are just a little bookworm who knows a few impressive tricks. Also, as Trixie recalls, it was you who pointed out that treasure to her, and were already making plans to acquire it through less than legal means. As to that last...Trixie had merely been celebrating too hard the night before, but the fact that she nearly succeeded shows her abilities," she responded. "Of course, you always had an answer. Then I gave you that money to buy something for me, enough to live on for months, and you spend it on that cart thing of yours, and go wandering off to the far edges of Equestria!" shouts the Professor, leaning even closer to Trixie. "Only after you refused to acknowledge that it was my magic that led to the defeat of that hideous Ursa Major, and that Trixie was the force behind five of your previous twelve research papers!" she countered. "And I paid you for all five, didn't I? You blew those bits faster than a dragon burns through his horde after a nap, and after you stole that money from me to buy your cart, I left instructions for you not to be told where I was. I was tired of you, and you're a big enough mare to make your own way in the world," he told her, his voice softening at the last. "Hmm? Do you really think so?" she asked, her own voice getting a bit lighter, and the anger lings on her face loosening a bit. "I know so. I did keep tabs on you, as much to avoid running into you as much as concern, I'll admit, but I heard enough to know that you did enough to make mom and dad proud," he told her, and suddenly their closeness became a bit closer, as Trixie hugged her brother, the glow on her horn vanishing, so he could reciprocate. "I knew I recognized you!" came a sudden shout, and everypony turned towards Luna, who floated past the gathered crowd, including several not in your group who'd decided to watch the siblings squabble. "You were in the records, Trixie, a unicorn of some skill, who trained at my Sister's academy. The records said nothing about you being related to...this stallion though. Isn't he almost 20 years your senior?" asked Luna, and that took you back a bit. DawnChaser didn't look all that old to you, but still...20 years....older than Trixie? He had to be ancient or something in pony years. The others all have similar reactions, well, save the two assistants, who seemed to already know how old DawnChaser was, and obviously Luna who was equally knowledgeable. "Indeed, Trixie and I both attended the academy. We both graduated too, not with top honors, either of us, but we did fairly well I think," boasted DawnChaser. "Yes, and as for the records, it's possible it's because, while we share a mother, Trixie's father was a great and powerful unicorn," began Trixie in her usual voice. "And my father was a pegasus. Mom loved him to death though, and when he died in an accident, it was only natural for her to find a mane to cry into. I even encouraged it at the time. Heh, Star Light deserved a nice girl, and no one was nicer than mom," said DawnChaser, and you noticed that Twilight had her mouth open, making you wonder, and so you ask, "This doesn't mean you and Trixie are sisters, does it?" "No, of course not, he was just one of the most power unicorns in a century, who created an entire branch of research we are only just beginning to understand," she informed you, staring at Trixie incredulously, obviously not believing this unicorn could be related to one that seemed so…respectable. "Hmph, he was not just one of, the Great and Powerful Trixie's father was the most powerful unicorn of any century! He could have stood up to Celestia herself, if he had so desired," said Trixie, rather loudly, which seemed to annoy Twilight. Luna, despite this dump on her sister, actually nodded at the statement. As did DawnChaser, interestingly enough. "Indeed. Star Light was one of the reasons I turned that into my own goal. He proposed it. He used to tell me, 'no unicorn has ever aimed for higher, and once we pass that hurdle, we will find another' Old stallion always did like a challenge," he said, rather wistfully. "So I've heard. Still, while I remember him from the records, your files made no mention of your mother. May We inquire as to her?" asked Luna, using her formal voice. Trixie looked like she was about to say something, but DawnChaser held his hoof in front of her, and she backed down. "That's because mom was an earth pony. She died...gosh, almost nine years ago, back when my sister was just a filly. Sis was in the School for Gifted Unicorns, studying under dad, and I was just starting at Hayvard. It hit us all hard of course. Star Light most of all, I think. He really loved her, and when she died, he just didn't have the heart to go on. Heh, I bet he, mom, and dad are just laughing together somewhere out there," said the stallion, and he looked up at the sky. This was the first you'd ever heard a pony refer to life after death, and it was actually kind of disturbing when you thought about it, considering they actually lived alongside their gods. You then firmly tell yourself not to think too hard about it, since those same gods can read your mind, if the wishing thing last night is any indications, and you don't feel like having a religious experience at the moment. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," said Twilight, looking towards Trixie, who merely hmphed again, and turned away, but you could tell that statement had dislodged something, as she opened an eye in a way that she probably thought no pony could see, and looked towards Twilight, obviously her opinion slowly changing. "Anyway, what are you doing here, Sis? It can't be for money, or at least, not only that. I heard that cart you bought when you ran off was destroyed a few months back," said DawnChaser, changing the subject. "Trixie's home was indeed destroyed, by a pair of foals who were also fools. Still, Trixie is ever the survivor, and took once more to the wilds, to study again the magic that makes her both Great and Powerful," she began, her cape fluttering behind her in a wind you were sure she'd summoned through a spell. "After suitable time, she would have returned to that wretched ville, and taken back her glory from Ms. Sparkle, however, Trixie found herself a bit out of sorts, and wanted to find comfort in her brother, who made it less than easy to find himself," she finished, staring rather accusingly at the Professor. "I already admitted that I didn't want to see you, and left orders with my assistants to discourage you from finding me," he said, and Tailfire nodded. "His exact words were 'my idiot, showboating, hack of a sister is not to be allowed within ten miles of my person'. Mind, Trixie did try to take credit for them tag teaming an Ursa Major, but I still thought it was a bit harsh," he added helpfully. Of course, that helpfulness led to both brother and sister staring daggers at him. "Wait, so you mean Trixie really did help defeat an Ursa Major? I had assumed she'd fabricated that whole tale," Rarity said, making you remember that episode, and Trixie's boasting. "The Great and Powerful Trixie was instrumental in bringing the creature to heel," she said, and she suddenly glowed with magic, a rather flashy star effect behind her as she did. It was actually pretty impressive looking, but you could taste the magic in it, and were pretty sure you could duplicate the effect, if you wanted. "Well, the way I remember it, a certain little blue mare did a cool light show, distracting the thing, so her brother, who was almost five time's an Ursa Major's size at the time, could kick in the head," chided the Professor, and you could tell the pair were about t go off on each other again, as they stood head to head. Luckily, Deasly saw this, and he pulled back DawnChaser with his magic, while Tailfire grabbed Trixie's tail in his teeth, the two being dragged apart by the pair. "Now. Professor, you know that's not how it happened," said Deasly, "You were the one who woke the thing up anyway, wanting dust of ground up Ursa claw for an experiment, so it was your fault. You wouldn't have even known about the thing attacking the village we were in if Trixie hadn't warned you." "And Trixie, she wouldn't have stood a chance on her own. She's pretty strong magically, almost as much as Twilight, but in the end, she's would've been a small pony with a few tricks, versus one very large, and very mad, Ursa," he reminded the show pony, getting the brother and sister to look around, obviously avoiding eye contact for the moment. Everything hangs in that silence for a moment, before Dash bolts forward, and lands in front of the group. "Yeah, yeah, interesting family issues and all, but can we please go now? I kinda don't wanna hang here all day doing nothing. It really cramps my style," she said, and everypony, looking to the one next to them, nods. Of course, what to do next varies by who's talking. Lunch had been taken care of, in ways no one wanted to discuss, and the first series of tests, according to the Professor, would take some documentation before he suggested more. That meant basically free time in the city of Canterlot, and a lot of ideas one what to do. That meant putting everything to a vote, and when said voting was done everypony is off to do what they want to do. Tailfire, after chatting with his aunt, is off to the lab with Deasly, DawnChaser, and Trixie, the four going to setup rooms for Tailfire and Trixie. That meant that Spitfire and Sorain were going too, Spitfire to continue catching up with her nephew, and Soarin because Spitfire was going. This also meant Rainbow Dash was going obviously, as it would likely take a team of wild horses to pull her away from her heroes. In the meantime, Twilight and Luna were headed back to Canterlot Castle, to assist Celestia with her Sun Court, and just to be with her. Fluttershy went with them as well, though to go to the gardens, rather than to the Court, as she wanted to hang out with the animals some more, and to talk with an old pony named Hayseed she'd apparently been getting to know. Rarity was going off to visit with an old friend named Fancy Pants, to catch up on old times and attend some kind of party he was throwing this afternoon. At the word 'party' Pinkie Pie sat up straight, and insisted she come along, which seemed to disturb Rarity for a moment, but then she smiled and insisted that the pink party pony join her. Soon, everypony had left the station, leaving you alone with Big Macitosh, Applejack, Octavia, and Vinyl, none of you having felt like following the others for one reason or another, and just wanting to wander around Canterlot for a while. After all, you'd attended Night Court last night, rather than go to the bar, and so had only seen a bit of the city yesterday. Thus you and a greatly reduced group left the train station last, walking towards the city. "So, what do we want to do, anyhow? I mean, ah wasn't lookin forward to spendin any time with that Trixie filly, but the Court sounded mighty borin too," said Applejack as you walked along the street. "Eeyup, and that Fancy Pants fella is nice and all, but I can't stand his friends," added Big Red. "You know Fancy Pants, Mr. Macintosh?" asked Octavia, sounding rather impressed. "Eeyup, he, me, and the Professor went drinkin a time or two. He's one pony that lives up to his name, but he's real good in a fight. Wish he'd been with us last night," said the stallion, and you can see Vinyl's eyes light up. "You know, we could find another bar, and try that-" she cuts off when Applejack and Big Macintosh look at her with a pair of withering gazes, obviously neither wanting her to finish that sentence. "Heh, what Vinyl meant to say is, since she and I got a bit of our stipend from the Princesses this morning, how's about we visit the shopping district, and do a bit of power shopping?" offered Octavia, and Vinyl's eyes lit up at that idea as well. Applejack tried to hide her own pleasure with that suggestion, but you could tell the idea of shopping in Canterlot appealed to her, while you and Big Macintosh looked at each other, and then shrugged together. Not like you two had any better ideas. Besides, you'd only hung out with the ponies you knew up to this point. Yesterday you had never left the larger group, so going off with something smaller, you might get to mingle with the common ponies a little more. "Well then, let's go!" said Vinyl, and she bolted off. For a unicorn, she really did have a lot of energy, Applejack and Octavia soon right on her hooves, as they tried to keep up. You and Big Macintosh, however, decided to take a more leisurely pace, with you floating beside him, while he trots next to you. "So, how are you liking the Royal city, anyhow, Big Macintosh? I heard from your sister you leave the farm only to run deliveries, but never for more than a day or two," you ask him. "Welp, it's not a place I would like to live. Too many ponies, too little space, and not enough green. Still, it's got its charms," he admitted, motioning towards some fillies who were giggling as they entered a shop. You, not being a pony yourself, wonder just what is attractive about some of them....then of course you find yourself looking at Octavia and blushing a bit at the thoughts that occur to you. "It is a bit bigger than Ponyville. Not as big as the city I came from, but still, nice and large. I wish I had some games to play though," you complain, more to yourself than anypony else. You remember the things you'd left behind, all those cool games on your computer you would never get to play, the still in their box waiting for you to have time to play them console games. It seemed like such a waste that you never even got to finish the fight in a few ongoing series that would be finishing soon. "Oh? What sorta games do humans play?" he asked, and you thought for a moment. Video games were a hard concept to sell. Heck, radio and phones were new inventions here, so the idea of games like those would be hard to explain. Though it was possible unicorns did games like that, using magic for controls or something. Still, you decide to go with sports games for now. "Well, there's football, depending on the version it's either a bunch of thin guys with powerful legs kicking around a small round ball to get them into nets at the ends of a field, or an oblong ball fitting a five digit hand, to be tossed, and carried to the other side of the field, with big burly guys between you and the goal. There's also hockey, a lot like that last football, but with sticks and a puck instead of a ball, and played on the ice. There's also baseball..." you say the last, and watch as Big Macintosh's eyes light up. "You have baseball where you come from?" he asks, and you nod. "It's a game where you use a long stick to bat a ball around, and then while other players scramble to get it, while you run around bases, to get back to home, right?" you ask, and he nods emphatically. "It's a fun game, I used to play myself, back before I needed to help out at the farm," he says, sounding a bit down about that. "Do you regret not playing in the professional circuit?" you ask, wondering, idly, how a pony would hold a bat, or pitch a ball. "Nah, my home is where I belong, and I'm not gonna complain about that. Still, it's interesting to hear that you guys came up with that game too," he says, in a manner that implies deep thought, as he taps his chin with his hoof. You do find that odd, as you had never considered the stoic stallion to be one for thinking things out, but you can almost see the wheels turning in his head. "Probably don't need special rules for pegasi or unicorns though. I heard tell from my sis that you said none of ya'll back home can fly or use magic," a statement to which you nod. "We have machines that can fly, and things that work like magic, but none of them are natural. Humans are monkeys, we use hands and tools, but flying and magic are not innate traits," you tell him. You then start trading a few sports stories you remember, while he tells you of a few games he was in or witnessed, the pair of you laughing, at least until you and he are stopped by the trio of fillies, staring wide eyed at what you can only assume is a store front, as it has displays in its windows of several pieces of jewelry.