//------------------------------// // A Day of Discovery // Story: The Element of Pride // by DragonShadow //------------------------------// Chapter 3: A Day of Discovery Canterlot was HUGE. The capital city of Equestria sure did live up to its reputation, it took Trixie a long while to figure out where the library was, let alone where everything else in the ridiculously ornate city could be found. The map given to her by the Princess’ assistant was helpful, but in such a huge city she supposed it was natural she would just have to try to memorize where everything was. She didn’t want to look like a perpetual tourist, after all. Not that there was any risk of that with the blue and white baby dragon perched on her back, she thought with a smile. It was a cute little girl dragon she’d named Skyblue, and while she wasn’t yet old enough to assist with anything, carrying her around somehow made Trixie’s days just a little bit brighter. She’d spent years of her life travelling alone, after all. It was nice to have a companion who she knew would still be there the following day. As she wandered down the smooth stone streets she couldn’t help but wander a bit from the path shown by the map, to approach the outer wall of Canterlot. She found herself looking through the thick glass out across what surely must have been the whole of Equestria. She couldn’t fathom why a city would be built on the side of the mountain, let alone one large enough to be seen from hundreds of miles around, but it sure did make for a breathtaking view. “Hey, look who it is.” Trixie blinked when she heard a voice from behind her, and turned around to see two fillies her own age standing behind her. One was a yellow unicorn with a long curled mane in two beautifully layered shades of blue, and bright violet eyes that sparkled with such shine they almost appeared pink. The second was a white unicorn with bright pink hair, eyes that shone bright aquamarine, and a cutiemark on her side in the shape of three blue stars. “You’re the Princess’ special pupil. Fancy meeting you out here.” “My name is Trixie!” Trixie replied excitedly. These were the first ponies to speak to her outside of the Princess’ royal guards and teachers. “What’s yours!?” The white unicorn spoke again. “I’m Star Dancer, this is my sister Moon Dancer.” The yellow pony grinned with an enthusiastic nod. “What are you doing out of the academy? I thought you spent all your time there.” “Well they don’t KEEP me there.” Trixie replied with a slight smirk on her lips. “I’ve been meaning to get out, but the princess just keeps me ssssooooo busy! I can’t find the time.” “Wow, it must be so amazing studying magic with the princess herself!” Star Dancer sighed and swooned against her sister’s side. “She’s so amazing and regal! I gotta admit! I’m jealous!” “Well, it is pretty amazing!” Trixie replied with a grin. “She’s taught me all sorts of things! Like this!” Trixie took a deep breath and stared at the ground, trying to focus the way she’d been taught. Her small horn began to glow with a soft crimson shimmer, and on the ground in front of her tiny pinpoints of light began to weave and sparkle across the ground in a tiny dance. Star Dancer laughed as she and her sister clapped their hooves against the ground in appreciation. “Oh that’s so amazing! And you’re so young too! We can’t even pick things up yet!” “Thanks!” Trixie blushed softly with a broad grin on her face. “The Princess said I was one of the most talented young fillies she’s ever seen!” “I can see why!” Star Dancer agreed. “Hey, I know, as long as you’re out and about, do you wanna hang out with us!? You can show us more of what you can do!” “That sounds like so much fun!” Trixie nodded enthusiastically. “I’d love to!” Laughing happily, the three fillies spun around to trot through the streets of Canterlot together. They were the first friends Trixie made in this town, and she couldn’t believe how easy it was. Her powers had impressed her new friends almost immediately, it had been so easy. She would never have to be lonely again!