//------------------------------// // Chapter Forty: Return to Ponyville // Story: Trixie and Maud: Heart of Stone // by TheCrimsonDM //------------------------------// HEART OF STONE Chapter Forty: Return to Ponyville Written by TheCrimsonDM Trixie began using a spell to amplify her voice, one of the many cantrips that she was proficient in. She heard the gathering crowd just outside her wagon and smiled, she just knew that Fluttershy was out there waiting for her. Trixie began speaking with her amplified voice, it sounded almost like she was using a microphone and a loudspeaker, “come one, come all, come and witness the amazing magic of The Grrreat and powerful Trrixie!” The wagon transformed, its sidewall dropping down and forming a stage, Trixie used another spell to create a cloud of smoke and stepped through the curtains. When the smoke cleared it appeared as though she had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Trixie gave her crowd a cute smile and heard all the crowd’s excited voices. Trixie saw the two little colts she had met earlier, one was short with blue fur and an orange mane, he had a set of teeth reminding Trixie of a beaver; his name was Snips. The other one was his older brother and stood almost as tall as Trixie, he had an orange coat, and blue mane; this one’s name was Snails. Trixie had asked them to spread word of her arrival and free show for Ponyville. It would seem that they did a good job. Amongst the crowd Trixie could see Fluttershy in the front row, her face lit up like a light on Hearths Warming Eve. Trixie was very pleased to see her here, and was determined to run a wonderful show for the pegasus. “Watch in awe as, The Great and Powerful Trixie, performs the most spectacular feats of magic ever witnessed by pony eyes,” Trixie said with energy. As she finished she used a Hypnotic Pattern spell to create flashes of wonderful, colorful magic that danced, swirled and shot up like fireworks all around her. “My,my,my what boasting,” said a rather impolite mare from the front row. Trixie looked down, fear seizing her heart, she hadn’t even gotten past her introduction before somepony started being loud and mean. The mare was a pristine white unicorn with a curly purple mane. Trixie could only assume that this was some sort of stuck up, high class pony. A small purple dragon stood next to her talking about something, Trixie couldn’t hear him because unlike his unicorn friend, he was using a respectfully quiet voice. But Trixie recognized him, this was Spike…Twilight’s familiar and adopted son/pet thing. This meant that Twilight was here, hopefully she would stay out of Trixie’s business. Trixie turned her head as the dragon ran off somewhere. Trixie stood on her hind legs and summoned a bouquet or roses much to the delight of the ponies watching her show. Trixie held the bouquet closely, they smelled good, and she wanted to eat them…but they were for somepony else. Another voice one with a southern accent said just over the voice of the crowd, “except when she goes showin it off, like a school filly with fancy new ribbons.” That was a low blow to a performer, the hayseed pony might as well of said, that it was okay to have a party, so long as you never invited anypony. Or tell a joke, so long as no pony ever heard it. How could a pony enjoy a magic show, without seeing it. Trixie kept herself calm and ignored the rude comment. Trixie levitated the bouquet out to the crowd and gave it to Fluttershy, who smiled at the gift. Trixie gave her a quick wink to let the pegasus know that everything was okay. Trixie heard another pony, one with a rough voice say, “magic shmagic. BOOOO.” Trixie noticed the group of five ponies near Fluttershy, these were the rude loud mouthed ponies who dared to ruin Trixie’s show for Fluttershy. The ponies around these five looked very odd to Trixie, they looked lost and confused…was something wrong with these ponies, or was this just nature kicking in and the herd was following the loudest voice. Trixie saw the worried look on Fluttershy’s face and knew that the shy yellow pegasus wasn’t liking the look of these five ponies. The crowd around the three rude ones backed off a little, at least the citizens of Ponyville were being kind enough to not associate themselves with such rude folk. Trixie was going to need to turn the audience around quickly though, for Fluttershy’s shake. “Well,well,well, it looks like we have some neighsayers in the audience,” Trixie accidently neighed in the middle of her sentence, well hopefully nopony would realize it was accident. In an attempt to make ponies forget her accidental neigh Trixie quickly added “who is so ignorant as to challenge the magical ability of The Great and Powerful Trixie.” The white one blew a raspberry spitting all over her purple friends face, before saying, “just who does she think she is?” Trixie nearly laughed at the disgusting stuck up pony, as the purple unicorn was obviously trying to ignore the spit now covering half of her face. The purple unicorn however stood out just enough to stop Trixie from actually laughing. Twilight Sparkle was standing there staring at her, this was going to end horribly wasn’t it. Spike jumped up and said, “yeah especially since we all know that Twilight here is-“ he was cut off as Twilight pushed him away. Trixie was actually grateful for Twilight’s unwillingness to stand out today, Trixie knew that it would be a hard won battle if she even could show up Twilight. After that the rude ponies began quieting down, so Trixie assumed that they were following Twilight’s lead and backing down. Trixie stood again on her hind legs and used another Hypnotic Pattern spell to distract the crowd from the harsh words of the interrupting ponies. If these five didn’t like Trixie’s show then they could walk away, nopony was making them stay and watch a free show. Suddenly the blue pegasus with a rainbow mane flew at Trixie, the surprise nearly made Trixie fall over. Trixie kept a brave face as the pegasus got into Trixie’s personal bubble. Trixie wasn’t sure if the crazy pegasus was about to attack or what, but she kept her guard up just in case. The pegasus gave Trixie a judgmental look before saying, “so Great and Powerful Trixie, what makes you think you’re so awesome anyway?” This wasn’t going to be introduced until later in the show, but Trixie felt that now would be the best time. “Why only The Great and Powerful Trixie has magic powerful enough to vanquish the dreaded Ursa Major.” It might have been her father’s story, but Trixie was going to continue telling the story. Maybe one day she hoped her father would hear it, and realize that the young magician was actually his daughter…maybe this could reunite them. Trixie looked around before casting another spell and noticed that Fluttershy was missing. Trixie then cast another illusionary spell, Minor Image. This was one of Trixie’s favorite spells. The giant image of an Ursa Major appeared over the crowd, causing all ponies to look up in excitement. Trixie kept the image looking very cartoonish, and foal friendly, no need to scare Snips and Snails. Trixie then began telling the story, “when all hope was lost the ponies of Hoofington had no one to turn to, The Great and Powerful Trixie stepped in, and with her awesome magic vanquished the Ursa Major, and sent it back too it’s cave deep within the Everfree Forest.” A cartoon illusion of Trixie began battling the Ursa Major appeared above the crowd, causing the Ursa Major to turn dark before the illusion exploded into colorful light’s obtaining more excited sounds from the audience. After a few seconds Trixie could hear Snails saying, “that settles it, Trixie is the most magical, most awesome pony in Ponyville.” Snips added, “no, in all of Equestria.” Trixie heard Spike open his mouth and begin complaining again, thankfully Twilight summoned an illusionary zipper to cover the dragons mouth. Trixie looked for Fluttershy again, Fluttershy was still not in the front row, and no longer in the crowd even. After a second of searching she caught a glimpse of the yellow pegasus off in the distance, running away, her pink mane flowing behind her. These rude ponies had scared away Fluttershy, no wonder she had vanished, the rainbow one must have scared her. After all Trixie had never met a pony who actually charged the stage like that before, it was abhorrent behavior. Trixie let out an almost angry laugh, and said, “it’s true my enthusiastic little admirers. Trixie’s is most certainly the best in Ponyville.” Now that they scared Fluttershy away, she could no longer ignore them. “Don’t believe The Great and Powerful Trixie, well then. I hear by Challenge you, Ponyvillians; anything you can do, I can do better.” She knew these three awful ponies couldn’t ignore a challenge and they deserved some humiliation. “Any takers, anyone, or is Trixie destined to be the greatest equine who has ever lived,” Trixie said while standing triumphantly on her hind legs and using another Hypnotic Pattern. If this didn’t goad the rude ponies into a challenge then nothing would. Trixie looked around pretending to be searching for a challenger, then she said, “how about.” Trixie quickly pointed a hoof at the hayseed pony, who dared mock Trixie earlier and said, “you!” “Well how about it hmm.” Righteous fury was rising up in Trixie’s heart, she was going to win back Fluttershy’s honor no matter what. “Is there anything you can do that The Great and Powerful Trixie can’t? Well little hayseed?” The orange earth pony stomped her hoof and said, “that’s it, Ah can’t stand for no more of this.” Trixie noted that the orange earth pony had an apple for a cutie mark, that must make her an apple pony. The apple pony walked up onto the stage and grabbed a rope with her tail saying, “can yer magical powers do this?” The apple pony began spinning the rope around herself and then jumping through the loop she had tied into the rope. Trixie had to admit that it was pretty neat how the apple pony could do this without any magic. The apple pony finally tossed the rope off stage grabbed an apple off of a nearby apple tree and pulled it back to herself and eating it. The apple pony then said, “top that missy.” Oh Trixie was going to top that, and this was going to be fun. For the first time during the show Trixie took her hat off with a telekinesis spell and said, “oh you of little talent, watch and be amazed at the magic of Trixie.” Trixie used her magic to carefully used the Animate Rope spell on the rope and added a Hypnotize spell to captivate the apple ponies attention. With the other side of the rope she grabbed an apple and quickly tied the apple pony’s legs and lifted her up before setting her down on her back. Trixie then set the apple in her mouth. The apple pony now looked very comical, but she was most likely just the first one to get Trixie’s revenge. The crowd all cheered Trixie on, they must be pleased that one of the loud, rambunctious ponies who was ruining their show was taught a lesson. As the apple pony began hopping of stage Trixie said, “once again, The Great and Powerful Trixie prevails.” The rainbow maned pegasus came up behind Trixie and said, “there is no need to go strutting around and showing off like that.” “Oh,” Trixie replied coolly. “That’s my job,” the rainbow maned pegasus said while pointing to herself. The pegasus flew off and into a windmill, and spun the windmill around several times faster than it should be going. The pegasus then took off into the sky flying straight through several clouds at high speeds. She stopped momentarily in the air, striking some dramatic pose, before coming back down through the same holes she had just opened up and spinning the windmill in the reverse direction. Trixie could only imagine the damage the windmill was sustaining from the trick. The pegasus then came flying back before stopping suddenly on the stage, rain water flew into her back and soaked her. A rainbow then appeared over the rainbow pegasus. “They don’t call me Rainbow and Dash for nothing,” the pegasus said. Trixie heard the crowd go wild for Rainbow Dash’s performance; she doubted that anypony even considered what damage might have just been done to the windmill from the sudden reversal of its blades. Trixie grinned and said, “when Trixie is through, the only thing they will call you is loser.” Trixie cast another spell, this time creating a small tornado around Rainbow Dash. Trixie was surprised to see the rainbow that Rainbow Dash had made got sucked into the tornado as well and together they went spinning rapidly off stage. When the tornado stopped the pegasus looked ill, Trixie guessed that the dizziness would last a few minutes, maybe less for a pegasus. “It would seem like anypony with a Dash of good sense would think twice before tussling with the great Trixie,” Trixie said before casting a small lightning spell. As the lightning zapped Rainbow Dash’s hind quarters Rainbow Dash let out a yelp and nearly jumped into the air. The crowd burst out into laughter at the sight of this. That would teach her not to get into someponies face for without due provocation. Trixie watched the five rude ponies talking amongst themselves for a bit before finally the white unicorn walked to the front. Trixie only caught the last of what the white one said, “-may behave themselves like ruffians, but Rarity conducts herself with both beauty and grace.” Trixie needed to goad this one into a challenge, and considering how well maintained Rarity’s mane was, that wouldn’t be too hard. Trixie said, “ooo, what’s the matter, afraid that you will get a hair out of place in that rat’s nest you call a mane?” Rarity’s face became serious as she said, “oh it is on.” Rarity quickly trotted up to the stage and began walking circles around Trixie saying, “you may think yourself tough with all your so called powers, but there is more to magic then your brutish ways. A unicorn needs to be more than just muscle.” Trixie saw the blue aura of Rarity’s horn flair up and then Trixie’s stage curtain was pulled down. She had no idea what was going on but if Rarity thought it was okay to destroy Trixie’s property then Rarity had another thing coming. The curtain began spinning quickly around Rarity and a bright light blinded Trixie for a moment. When Trixie opened her eyes again she heard Rarity say, “a unicorn needs to have style.” Trixie was stunned to see the curtain transformed into such a beautiful blue dress with gold trim and a gold saddle. Rarity’s hair was styled into a wonderful bun. Trixie had to admit that Rarity might be a self absorbed stuck up pony, but she was darn sexy. Rarity then said, “a unicorn is not a unicorn without grace, and beauty.” ‘That was a real nice sentiment to all the young unicorns who had insecurity issues, make them all feel terrible for not looking as good as you,’ Trixie thought sarcastically to herself. Trixie was stunned, but only for a moment, as the crowd voicing their pleasure towards Rarity’s transformation snapped her out of it. Trixie grinned, there was one way to get under this mare’s fur for sure. Trixie’s horn lit up and she cast a devious cantrip. The crowd all gasped and Rarity sensing that something wrong screamed, “QUICK GET ME A MIRROR, I NEED A MIRROR!” Rarity’s voice got higher pitched as she asked, “what did she do to my hair, I know she did something terrible to my hair.” Twilight quickly said, “nothing.” Rainbow Dash said, “it’s fine.” The apple pony said, “it’s gorgeous.” And Spike said honestly, “it’s green.” Tears began pooling at the corners of Rarity’s eyes as she looked up and saw what had been done. Trixie had transformed the color of her hair green, disheveled it, and stuck some twigs and plastic worms in for good measure. Rarity’s hair would turn back to its original color in an hour or so, there was no permanent damage, and Trixie felt satisfied finally getting back at the mare who had started heckling her show in the first place. Rarity began crying as she ran off saying, “no, not green hair. Such an awful, awful color.” Trixie nearly face hoofed as she saw Rarity run right past another pony who had naturally green hair, while screaming the above. Some ponies were truly so self absorbed that they didn’t care if they hurt other ponies around them or not. Trixie quickly cleaned a smudge of dirt off of her cloaks clasp and attempted to listen to Spike and Twilight’s whispering. She heard Spike say, “you’re better than her.” Trixie walked up to the edge of the stage, her recent victories making her feel powerful, and invincible. Trixie quickly said, “you think you are better than Trixie. you think you have more magical talent.” It was no longer just about Fluttershy, if Trixie could avenge Fire Light now as well, then everything would be perfect. “well come on, show Trixie what you got. Show us all.” Trixie wanted to show everypony just how much of a monster Twilight really was. Twilight looked around at the crowd and said, “who? Me, I’m just your run of the mill citizen of ponyville.” Trixie knew these were lies, Twilight was possibly more powerful then Celestia and now Trixie was going to expose Twilight for the sins she has committed. Twilight then added, “no powerful magic here…I uh…I think I hear my laundry calling, gotta go.” Twilight then took off in a full gallop away from the stage. Trixie had heard Twilight try to lie in the past, but ‘laundry calling’ had to be the most pathetic lie yet. Trixie stood victorious and said, “once again The Great and Powerful Trixie has proven herself to be the most amazing unicorn in all of Equestria. Was there ever any doubt.” Trixie turned and left the stage, it was time for a rest…then to check up on Fluttershy. She hopped that Fluttershy hadn’t been too upset over the rude ponies attacking Trixie’s show. And the stage curtain was now gone as well, Trixie added that to property damage on top of everything else those horrid ponies did to her today. *** After closing the stage and resting against the side of the wagon for a little while Trixie began to feel lonely. She didn’t like being alone for too long, especially when a show went badly like today’s did. Her horn was also beginning to hurt, she should not have used the Hypnotic Lights spell so many times, she might not be able to do anything more than a cantrip or a jolt of lightning for the rest of the day now. Snips and Snails walked over to her again. They looked pleased with themselves. Snips quickly said, “Great and Powerful Trixie, what can we do for you?” Trixie relaxed and said, “I’m not really in the mood for acting right now…can you come back later.” The two of them looked confused for a moment before Snails said, “oh, so you don’t want to pretend like you weren’t hurt by those mean ponies. Yeah me and Snips get bullied sometime, it’s hard to stay strong all the time eh.” These two ponies were so innocent, they really believed that Trixie’s stage persona was really her. Who could believe that somepony could be so arrogant, it was inconceivable that anypony would confuse a stage persona for a real person…unless they were foals. Trixie smiled and forced herself to pretend a little more for their sake. “Trixie is just a little tired after dealing with those hecklers. But if you still wish to aid Trixie, then take her to the home of Fluttershy. Trixie needs to speak with her good friend.” The two colts looked ecstatic as ever and said together, “Sure thing Great and Powerful Trixie.” *** The colts lead Trixie to a small cottage at the very edge of town but stopped just before crossing the bridge. Trixie looked up at the cottage; its roof was covered in leaves and looked very close to nature. Trixie turned to look at the colts and asked, “do you wish to accompany Trixie up to the door?” The two colts looked a little nervous and Snips explained, “um…Fluttershy kinda banned us from ever coming back to her home…” Snails added, “we set all the chickens free.” Trixie let out a sigh, made sense that these two would cause some trouble. The entire time Trixie had been here she had seen ponies being a little rude to these two. Considering how they have not stopped asking silly questions of Trixie until they arrived here, Trixie assumed that these two were nuisance’s to the town…but she couldn’t help but like them. “I’ll…Trixie will go meet with Fluttershy, you two go and guard Trixie’s wagon. It is a very important job,” Trixie said. The two colts looked excited to be helping their favorite celebrity, and ran off. Snips called back to Trixie saying, “we will guard it with our lives.” Snails added, “and we won’t set any chickens free.” Trixie smiled as they left. Those colts were adorable and silly if not a bit annoying, but now it was time for Trixie to try and cheer up Fluttershy… *** Trixie knocked on Fluttershy’s door a few times and waited patiently. After a few moments of silence, Trixie knocked again, and then placed an ear against the door trying to listen in. She heard the sound of crying and Trixie knew that it had to be Fluttershy. Trixie then said, “this is Trixie, I just wanted to see if you were doing okay…” After a few moments the crying stopped and the door opened. Fluttershy stood there, her eyes were red and her face was wet from the tears. Trixie knew that there was really only one thing she could do. She wrapped her legs around Fluttershy and pulled her into a gentle loving embrace saying, “shh…I am so sorry. I know you just wanted your friends to see my show, and those rude ponies ruined it…I’m sorry.” Fluttershy wrapped her legs around Trixie and dug her muzzle into Trixie’s shoulder saying, “those rude ponies were my friends…” Trixie’s heart skipped a beat as she heard Fluttershy’s words. Had those ponies who ridiculed Trixie’s show so rudely actually been friends with Fluttershy? If so then how could they do something so horrible to something that Fluttershy loved…this was not what friendship was supposed to be about. Trixie held onto Fluttershy a little tighter and offered her the only thing she could. “Trixie still has her wagon, and she will still be here tomorrow, and maybe, if you would like to of course…Trixie could run a small show…just for you. That way you won’t be disappointed in Trixie.” Fluttershy clung onto Trixie a little tighter and said, “I’m sorry.” Trixie held on gently to Fluttershy enjoying the smell of Fluttershy’s mane. “Trixie can understand…after what Trixie’s failure of a show…is there anything else Trixie can do for you?” Fluttershy let out a small cry before saying, “I’m sorry that they hurt you. I know how scary it must be to go on stage, and after what they did…I am so sorry. I should never have brought them there.” Trixie felt a tear run down her face as she realized that Fluttershy was right. Those ponies not only hurt Fluttershy, they also hurt Trixie. Trixie wasn’t going to give in quite yet though, she could still make Fluttershy happy. “Trixie will go back to her wagon, if you come over tomorrow Trixie could…fix this somehow. Trixie isn’t sure how, but she will fix this somehow.” Fluttershy pulled away and smiled at Trixie saying, “um…ok…if you are still here tomorrow…I’ll come visit you…and um…we can do something fun.” Trixie nodded in agreement. This was a plan that Trixie would love to follow through with. *** Trixie got back to her wagon only to find it absent of any her guards, it would seem that the colts got bored and left. Trixie was actually kinda relieved to be alone now, she could think about everything that had happened today. Something was bothering her about the way she had dealt with her hecklers. After setting her hat down inside, she stared longingly into her mirror and wondered what she could have done differently. She could swear that she was being watched, but she didn’t know why. Suddenly Trixie heard the sound of something rolling down a hill. Trixie looked behind herself just in time to see a cart rolling down the hill towards her and her expensive wagon. She stood up and used her magic to pull the wagon out of the way just in time as the cart rolled by where the wagon had just stood. Trixie really couldn’t afford to lose her wagon, it was the only thing keeping her afloat. The cart stopped just behind Trixie slamming hard into something behind her. A dark shadow began growing around Trixie, she looked up and closed her eyes just in time as a splash of mud covered her face, and mane. Wiping the mud out of her eyes with a hoof Trixie carefully removed her cloak and set inside her wagon, her hat was thankfully setting just out of reach of the mud. Snips and Snails came running down towards Trixie and looked concerned. Trixie was already beginning to feel depressed, on top of her anger, and now these colts run up to her at the exact wrong time to see her like this. Today simply couldn’t get worse. “Sorry about that eh,” Snails said. “It wasn’t our fault honest, it was the wheels that made it roll down the hill when we let go of the cart,” Snips added. So it was these foals fault that Trixie was now covered in mud. She took another look at her cloak and was thankful for it staying clean at the very least. Trixie grabbed a towel and said, “after Trixie washes up, we are having a discussion about responsibility.” *** Three hours later Trixie found herself brushing her mane yet again, it simply wouldn’t stay down. The worst part is that Snips and Snails wouldn’t give her a second of rest. They continued to have her tell them stories; it was almost as though they had no shame over having gotten mud into Trixie’s mane. The worst part is they kept asking Trixie to tell them the same story involving the Ursa Major over, and over, and over again. Trixie was past the point of annoyance, but she was still kind enough to not break character. Apparently these kids really liked Trixie’s arrogant persona, she began to imagine that they saw Trixie as some kind of Princess…it was a little weird. Snips distracted Trixie as he stuck his butt into the air, balancing a smoothie on his rump. He then said, “this is the oat smoothie you asked for, with extra hay, just the way you like it.” Trixie had not said a thing about extra hay, but these foals brought her a free drink…she could at least accept it. As she picked it up Snails added, “mmm…hay.” Trixie picked up the drink with her magic and took a drink from it, the colts stood there staring at her with big open eyes. Trixie looked at them and asked, “yes?” “Tell us another story, Great and Powerful Trixie,” Snips asked, and then he bowed for extra measure. “Yeah tell us about how you vanquished the Ursa Major,” Snails added. This would be the fifth time she told them that exact story…within the last three hours. Trixie’s horn was still in pain, she was still upset with having been accosted on stage, and thanks to these ponies she couldn’t think of a way to fix Fluttershy’s heart. Trixie was not up for this anymore and desperately needed a rest. Trixie made a sound of annoyance and said, “Trixie is far too exhausted from performing feats beyond imagination, be gone with you until morning.” The two colts smiled brightly and backed off. Snails said, “oh of course Great and Powerful Trixie.” Snips added, “anything you say, were at your beck and call.” Trixie looked away and made a sound signifying her annoyance, and watched as their faces lit up even brighter. Trixie didn’t know why these colts enjoyed being talked down to, but whatever made them happy…and gave her a break. Trixie went back inside determined to get some sleep before she runs another show tomorrow. She felt almost empty after having expended so much magic on her show today. *** Trixie woke up a few hours later in her bed, it was nice and warm and soft. Something still felt off, she felt like somepony was watching her, but nopony was there. A certain part of Trixie began feeling very warm, and Trixie realized she would have to take care of it. Trixie looked at her hoof and said, “who should it be tonight…Twilight, no I’m still mad at her over what happened to Fire Light. That Rainbow pegasus had a nice, toned body…I could teach her how to properly use her mouth…but alas no. hmm I think I will use Rarity for my imagination tonight, she was absolutely sexy at my show, it really is a shame that she was such a mean pony.” Trixie stopped to think about whether having conversations with yourself about what you would fantasize about was considered weird….her head felt a little chaotic at the moment, so thinking was a little hard to do, but she was also used to holding conversations with herself…it wasn’t that weird…was it? Trixie let out a sigh, and began sliding her hoof under the covers. She wanted to get this over with quickly so that she wouldn’t be distracted from sleep by her own biological needs any longer. Just as Trixie began she heard some screaming outside her room, it was completely dark outside, but they were screaming her name. She contemplated pretending not to hear them but she knew exactly who was pestering her this late at night. Trixie stood up and walked over to her door, she looked down outside the window and saw both Snips and Snails. They looked both excited, and fearful. Trixie didn’t care, she had her private time interrupted by these two. “Trixie thought she said, that The Great and Powerful Trixie did not want to be disturbed.” Snips giggled nervously before saying, “we have a tiny problem.” Snails added, “actually it’s a big one.” “What is so important that you cannot wait until morning to disturb Trixie?” Trixie asked in a scolding tone. A thundering roar caused Trixie to look up, fear stole away her heart. The trees off in the distance began falling as something pushed its way through them. Suddenly a giant bear, with translucent blue fur emerged, and stars could be seen throughout its body. A pair of red eyes set themselves onto Trixie and her wagon. This had to be The Ursa Major. It was rumored that an Ursa Major could smell the blood of a pony who had previously killed one, along with the blood of their kin. If Trixie was to believe her father’s stories…then she was now in deep trouble. The Ursa charged Trixie’s small wagon seeking her blood. Trixie began screaming in pure terror, pushed opened the door to her wagon, and was about to run. She paused only briefly, while still screaming, to push the colts out of the Ursa’s path of destruction. Trixie then took off knowing that it would only follow her, and things that smelled like her. She heard the Ursa smashing her home into little bits behind her as she continued her speedy retreat. She could only hope that those two kids would stay away, hide somewhere and wait for Celestia, or her army to slay this beast.