//------------------------------// // Chapter Five // Story: Show and Spell // by maximus25 //------------------------------// The streets were flooded with ponies lining up in front of market stalls and buying lunch for the day. A certain lavender unicorn was holding up one of the lines, chatting with the large red stallion running his stall. “And that’s why an earth pony could never grow wings and a horn. I’m sure it was just a dre-” A bright flash of pink light and puff of smoke interrupted Twilight. The crowd of ponies behind her let out ooohs and aaaaahs of wonder. When the smoke cleared, it revealed Applejack looking slightly annoyed, and Trixie, looking smug as ever. She looked at Twilight, “You!” “Oh, hey Applejack and Trixie. Wait, Trixie?! Why are you here, and why do you have Applejack with you?” She gasped loudly, “Did you take Applejack prisoner with magic and come here to challenge me to a magic duel? Because we both know I don’t want that.” Trixie shook her head, “No no no, Trixie would never do such a thing. Kidnapping ponies is for beings of lower power than Trixie.” She walked over to Twilight, eying the lavender mare with an experienced stare, “Which you do not appear to be. You’re that mare that defeated the Ursa Minor last time I was here, aren’t you?” “What, you don’t remember anything about me other than that?” Twilight turned to Applejack, who had moved behind the cart next to Big Mac, “Am I really that forgettable of a pony?” “Shoot, Twilight, no way. You just didn’t do much the last time Trixie was in town. Mainly you ran away from her taunts and defeated the Ursa.” Applejack readjusted her faithful stetson, “Did you really want her to remember that?” “Well no, but seeing as how you just reminded her, I guess it doesn’t matter.” She sighed, “So, why are you here, anyway, Trixie?” “Trixie was caught... borrowing apples from your orange friend over there.” Trixie scraped the ground with her hoof. “Your mayor sentenced her to 10 hours community service at the schoolhouse. Teaching magic lessons.” “You’re teaching magic?! Wait, you only have 10 hours? That’s not nearly enough time.” Twilight’s eyes widened at this travesty. “That’s what Trixie said! You remember, Applejack, when you told her of this impossible task!” Trixie looked to Applejack for support. “That you did, Trixie. Don’t blame me though, the mayor assigned this punishment to you.” Applejack picked up an apple and bit into it, ending her need to speak for a while. Trixie rolled her eyes, looking back to Twilight, “Trixie admits, she has been hard pressed to come up with a lesson plan. She has taught two classes now, and barely covered what is needed. Her first lesson was on a unicorn’s magic limits and she tested the student’s own limit with telekinesis.” “Well that seems safe enough.” Twilight smiled and nodded. She shook her head and pawed at the ground nervously,“Yes, or so Trixie thought.” Twilight looked at her, raising an eyebrow, “What’s that supposed to mean?” “Well, one of the students in Trixie’s class had some trouble with her magic.” Trixie said. “What kind of problems?” Twilight asked. “Her magic produces... flames. When she casts spells.” Trixie answered.  Twilight’s eyes widened and she gasped. “Trixie knows, she is quite surprised.” Applejack broke her silence and chimed in, “Now for us earth ponies, what exactly does that mean?” “We’re not exactly sure,” Twilight said, “Young foals sometimes exhibit strange phenomena that mess with their spells. There are many theories about it, but nothing conclusive yet. The most widely accepted is that magic requires a large degree of concentration, which some foals are just unable to commit.” Applejack whistled, “Well I don’t know much about magic, but that sounds about right to me.” A mint green unicorn reached over and tapped Twilight on the shoulder, “Sorry to interrupt this fascinating talk about magical theory, and it really is fascinating don’t get me wrong,” Twilight beamed, “but some of us have to eat and then we have places to be. Would you mind?” Twilight blushed and backed out of the way, allowing the pony access to Big Mac, “Oh I’m terribly sorry about that, I just got so caught up in the discussion.” She looked at Trixie and narrowed her eyes. Trixie rolled her eyes, but backed up so she was beside the stall. Applejack turned to them, “Sorry Twah, I know you’d LOVE to stay here and chat, but business is business.” Twilight cheeks reddened at Applejack’s emphasis on that word, but she nodded. Trixie looked between Applejack and Twilight, confusion clear on her face. Twilight stuck her tongue out at Applejack and turned to Trixie, “Well I wouldn’t mind helping out with a lesson plan for teaching Cheerilee’s students. We have a lot of books at the library on magic, I’m sure there’s something we can use to figure out the best way to teach those foals.” Trixie snorted, “Trixie teaches with action! Not by sticking her nose in some dusty old book. The only thing that will keep the foals interested is showing them the magic.” Twilight’s eyes widened, “That’s a terrible way to go about it! If you don’t know the theory how will you understand the practical application?” Trixie examined the end of her hoof, “They’ll figure it out. Trixie did, and look how it worked out.” “Working community service for stealing apples?” Twilight deadpanned. Trixie coughed into her hoof, trying her hardest not to look at Twilight, who rolled her eyes, “Anyway, I think we should go back to the library anyway. I’ve got some ideas that I think could really stimulate those young minds.” Trixie tossed her head and straightened up, “What makes you think that Trixie needs your help? She’s doing just fine.” Applejack swallowed her mouthful of apple, “Yeah, just fine includes getting Cheerilee mad at you.” Trixie huffed, “That mare is angry because Trixie is taking away her students. That is no fault of Trixie’s.” Applejack smiled, “Sure, that’s the only reason.” Trixie turned to Twilight, “So, the library then?” Twilight nodded and set off at a brisk trot, Trixie following behind. Big Mac turned to Applejack, “Ain’t you supposed to be watching her?” Applejack readjusted her faithful stetson, “She’ll be fine, she’s with Twilight and I know exactly where they’re going. Besides, I need to get home and finish up my chores.” He nodded, “Whatever you say, little Sis. Just don’t be late coming back into town.” She snorted and started the trip back home.