//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Enter Trixie // Story: Sword and Sorcery // by CCC //------------------------------// “I feel good. I feel ready to attack the day.” Technically, it was already late afternoon; but the blue unicorn in front of the mirror felt that a few minutes practicing her new assertiveness techniques before heading into Ponyville would be time well spent. “Remember,” she said to her reflection, “never apologize when you can criticize. If you block, Trixie show you she rocks. And if you make Trixie lose...” Trixie paused briefly. “...after what happened last time, Trixie really shouldn't blow her fuse.” she admitted, quietly, after a moment. “And when Trixie says it, no means no!” Deep breath. Deep breath again. “Alright, Trixie.” she said to her reflection. “Remember the Plan. After that Alicorn Amulet fiasco, it's taken you six months of carefully paced exercises to build up your magic, but you've got just about enough magic at hoof to cast one age spell. And you know Twilight can't do one. Or couldn't six months ago, at least. Trixie hopes that's still the case. So. Challenge Twilight to a duel. Find some old pony. That old apple lady(*) should be a good choice. Start out with an age spell, knock a couple of dozen years off her, I'm sure she won't object. With any luck, Twilight won't be able to match that. Then comes the tricky part. Trixie will have to get back to her trailer before she falls over.” Trixie took a deep breath. “And when the story of that duel goes around, Trixie's reputation will be restored. Trixie has a new trailer, a fold-out stage, and spare fireworks. Trixie's life will be back as it was.” Another deep breath. “Ready to attack the day. If someone blocks, you show them you rock!” Trixie reared up in the air, neighed loudly, and ran out of her trailer. She was going to do this! * * * Twilight Sparkle yawned. She looked over her six friends – and Discord, and Krager. Of all of them, only Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Discord didn't look exhausted. Spike was almost asleep on her back. Krager, who hadn't woken up yet, was draped inelegantly across Applejack's back. “Ah haveta say, Discord, you sure play a mean game o' hoofball.” volunteered Applejack. “A mean game? Is that a bad thing?” asked Discord, nervously. “I tried to stick to the rules, I really did...” “No,” said Twilight with another yawn, “the word 'mean' has multiple mea – uh – multiple definitions. If it were 'mean' as in 'cruel', then that would be bad, but given the context – and the game – the most probable definition is 'mean' as in 'aggressive and - *yawn* - competent'. Which, in a hoofball game, is a good thing... as long as the aggression is not overdone, as that could be - *yawn* - could be cruel.” “Yeah, you played well.” agreed Applejack. “Though a team of six o' you was a mite unusual...” “There's nothing in the rules about cloning oneself to make up team numbers.” pointed out Discord, promptly. “Indeed there ain't.” nodded Applejack. “Ah take it we'll be seeing ya next week again?” “Same time?” asked Twilight, hopefully. “Oh, come now.” objected Discord. “Where's the fun in being all predictable like that? I'll get back to you later about the time.” He snapped his claws, and vanished. “Wait, wait, what about -” Twilight sighed. “What's the matter, Twi?” asked Rainbow Dash. “This gateway.” Twilight pointed back at the archway that they'd come through. “I'm not sure that it's a good idea to leave it like this.” “It's right next to my cottage.” pointed out Fluttershy. “I'm sure Discord wouldn't want to do anything to hurt me.” “I – actually don't think he would.” admitted Twilight. “But if it really does lead to another world, then we have no idea what could possibly come out of it. We should at least - *yawn* - take some sensible precautions.” “What sort of precautions?” asked Rainbow Dash. “I still want to have a proper look around there. Maybe there's some pegasi in that city of – what was it called? - cinnamon, or whatever -” “Cimmura.” interrupted Twilight. “- yeah, that – who might want to race.” “And just imagine the fashions of a whole new world!” added Rarity. “I bet they've got some cool party games!” volunteered Pinkie. “Girls, calm down! I think that exploring the other side is a great idea.” Twilight yawned again. “When we're not so tired. In the meantime, I think that we should just place a spell around the portal. Just an alarm, so that we'll know if anyone else comes through.” “Oh! That does seem like a sensible precaution.” admitted Rarity. “An' what should Ah do with this fella?” asked Applejack, tossing her head to indicate Krager, on her back.” “Oh!” said Fluttershy. “Put him in my house. I've got a spare room, and I'm good at looking after animals.” “Ah'm not rightly sure he is an 'animal'.” pointed out Applejack. “Th'way Discord was talkin', Ah think he might be intelligent.” “Yes, but his physiology is non-pony.” pointed out Fluttershy. “He has binocular vision and opposable thumbs. He appears vaguely simian, only with less fur, and his teeth suggest an omnivorous diet. By analogy with apes, he is unlikely to be able to properly digest hay, so special care must be taken with his diet. He probably needs a certain amount of raw fish for proper health, like a bear. He look bipedal, and he's about twice as tall as a pony standing upright, so he'll need a high-ceilinged room. He has hands with opposable thumbs which he most likely uses to affect his environment, and to hang on while he sleeps. The weather schedule for the next three days is sunny, so once he's recovered he'll probably want to sleep in a tree, but until we can get better accommodation he can sleep in my guest bed.” “Sleepin' in a tree?” asked Applejack. “Sounds like someone Ah know... alright, we'll take him ta your place. Mainly 'cos it's close, he's sure heavy.” “Alright.” said Twilight, stepping back from the enchantment that she'd placed around the gate. “So, tomorrow morning, after breakfast, we'll come back here and explore the world on the other side of the gate. In the meantime, let's get some sleep.” She spread her brand-new wings and took to the air. * * * Out on a nearby hilltop, Trixie stared in shock. Wings! Twilight – and that was Twilight, she was sure of it – had wings now! She was still able to cast unicorn magic, plus she had wings! Trixie's age spell could not, simply could not compete with wings! HOW did Twilight become an alicorn? WINGS!