Magic still feels so strange to me. Yet everything Acron, Lush and Wynn had taught me made so much more sense than Rarity and Twilight. I know they must have been trying their hardest, but I just didn't get it. I took a deep breath. One way or another we're going home, but I want to do this the right way. I want to pass this test. I could go back with Trixie and Sky when Wynn takes them, but I wanted to do this.
"This is easy. This is simple. Even I can do this."
"Fluttershy did you just say something?" asked Wynn
"You already know how, simply act."
That was all my sister added. She didn't know how this worked, but it didn't matter. I looked at the tree in front of me and walked. Then a moment latter I popped out of the tree next to my house. There were actually a lot more trees nearby now that formed the little glade my house was in, but only one was right next to it. I then heard the sound of two hooves clapping. I looked up to see Rarity on top of my house. I blinked.
"Uh, Rarity why did you chose to go up there?"
"Actually there is considerably less choice around here than Wynn's king…er, forest. Acorn warned me that while short distance matters little, long distance can only be folded to certain points. I clearly should have thought on that more."
"So the only place near my house…"
"Is your roof. Now I hate to ask but could you be a dear and get me down?"
I giggled slightly, then flew up to Rarity.
Rarity laughed. "Oh yes, I suppose that's a bit ironic, isn't it."
I was about to grab Rarity, but instead a dark form poured out of the shadows below her. I pulled back, then realized it had a bright pink mane was not some strange monster but a pony. Then I obviously realized it was just my sister. She carried Rarity to the ground and set her down gently. Rarity stood then blinking for a few moments, then turned to my sister hovering just behind her.
"Ah, Sky. Of course. I suppose your own training has gone well then?"
"Yes." Sky then nodded.
"And what of Trixie?"
"She unwisely decided to make an attempt. I really doubt she can make it, and she will just wear herself out trying to form a spell beyond her power level."
I blinked. "Uh, what?"
"Oh yes." Rarity turned to me. "Twilight and I forgot to explain that to you. Once you start a spell you must finish it, even if you don't have the power to manage it. Going beyond your limits will result in a fizzle, which we did explain, and being completely drained of all your energy."
"Though what constitutes starting a spell varies from spell to spell." Added Sky
"Oh, that sounds awful."
"Indeed it is." Said Rarity "Most of the time it's easy to not overstep one's limits, but sometimes for one reason or another it simply happens. To my joy it seems harder and harder to reach my limits. I wonder if Twilight always felt this way. It's very freeing."
Sky and I both tilted our heads to the right at the same time. I think I might have actually said something if Trixie hadn't appeared between us with a bright flash and swiftly dissipating cloud of white smoke. She was smiling broadly.
"Hah, that foolish deer doubted the power and greatness of the great and powerful Trixie? He may be wise but does not have the depth of…"
Then Trixie collapsed. I rushed to her side, but heard mumbling when I got there. I think she was still trying to talk. Then she suddenly began to snore, loudly. It reminded me of Rainbow Dash a little, but a little less loud.
"Huh, she actually did it. Clearly she hit her limit, but she did it." Said Sky
"Now that we are at least more or less home again we are supposed to go to Canterlot and report." Rarity paused "Or at least check in. Fluttershy, do you remember the princess' exact words?"
"Attend. Celestia said we when we got back we should go to Canterlot so we can attend."
"As in a ball?" asked Sky
"Maybe. She didn't say. I was going to ask but then Rairty said something and I decided it probably wasn't important, so I didn't."
Rarity sighed. "It really is a constant struggle for you isn't it?" She shook her head. "No matter. Now while I know I can't reach the grounds themselves I'm hoping I can get close. You should try for the same Fluttershy."
"Oh, uh, okay. When do you think…"
But she was already gone. The nice ponies Celestia hired to take care of my animals while I was gone probably did a good job but it wouldn’t hurt to check. I moved to the door and Sky was in front of it. She smiled.
"Guess."
"Go now because I'm worrying too much?"
Sky nodded.
"But what if…."
Sky shook her head. "Just go." Then she blinked. "Hmm, curious."
"What is it?"
"It's just…" Sky then got a little smile on her face suddenly. "Nothing to worry about really. Armor's barrier blocks traditional teleports, but you should be fine."
"Uh, okay."
She was lying of course. It took me the longest time to figure out what it is that gives her away, and it's no wonder I didn't earlier. It's literally nothing. She spends so much energy keeping herself calm and not giving herself away that it gives her away every time. Though daddy never understood what I meant even when I explained what to look for. No one else has actually, but it's easy for me at least. I didn't say anything though. I’m sure she had a good reason for whatever she didn't tell me.
"Oh, well, okay, I guess I should go."
"Be safe."
I then landed and walked though a tree and out another. There was this really nice tree I remembered in the Canterlot grounds. I looked around, then saw a guard. I'm sure he could help me find my friends if they're already here, or at least tell me if they haven't come to the palace quite yet.