Trixie's Forest Retreat

by crowscrowcrow


Chapter 120 - Redefine *

"Trixie, stop playing with your food."

"But, mooom, I have to practice."

The breakfast table was covered in the faint glow of Trixie's maturing magic. Everything that was not nailed down, was floating erratically above the tabletop. At least, everything that wasn't currently slipping out of Trixie's magical grasp.

She would show up that stupid, dusty, old professor. The only problem was that her detention was ending today. Which, now that she thought about it, was a strange ‘problem’ to have. In any case, she had about a day to learn how to manipulate multiple items.

It was frustrating to no end, for every item she picked up, two seemed to fall. The wood cups clattered. The cherry tomato's bounced and rolled. The leafs of lettuce drifted back down to the table just slow enough that Trixie never quite realized she'd lost control of them until moments later.

Watching the chaos unfold, Sly Nightsky shook her head. "I'm sure you do, sweetie, but you also have to eat." She stretched out a wing to guide the tomatoes away from the table’s edge. "For that matter, so do I. The long shift is just the worst on an empty stomach. How about if you just practice on the playing cards for a bit?"

Trixie pouted, but quickly realized she wasn’t going to get her way as her mom herded the various foodstuffs back into place. Of all the things her mom decided to be strict about, it had to be this. “Ugh, fine…”

Sulking, Trixie popped a piece of bread in her mouth and chewed while she lifted up the deck of cards. It wasn’t even heavy. It was childishly easy. Even though the deck of cards consisted of fifty-two individual cards, Trixie only had to levitate a single ‘object’, the deck. The ease with which she could do that only made what followed even more annoying. While it was simple for her to use her magic on the deck as a whole, as soon as she tried to cut the deck…

The aura around deck flickered and several of the cards escaped her grasp, flopping down inelegantly on the floor.

“Guuuh! This sucks!”

“Trixie!”


After a week of ‘healing’ Starlight had returned to her usual spot three rows in front of Trixie. From the moment she arrived, the rest of the ponies in the class had been nothing but abuzz with questions about ghosts and tall tales about fighting dragons.

Starlight didn’t even have to say anything, she was just being handed legends and while she didn’t actually say any of them were true, she certainly didn’t bother to deny any of the more heroic ones. To Trixie’s unending annoyance.

With each new tale, Starlight would look over her shoulder, catch Trixie's eye, and smile. One of those dirty ‘look how many friends I’ve got I’m so much better than you haha’ smiles. It was infuriatingly easy for her to do this, considering Trixie was spending a great deal of time trying to melt a hole through the back of Starlight's head with just her eyes.

Trixie wished she could travel back in time, if only so she could have actually thrown the lying blank flank out of the window. Perhaps she could still do that now actually, as long as she didn’t get caught.

Trixie shook her head. Thinking about it was one thing, but actually doing something bad to another pony, even a lowlife like Starlight, was just not in her nature. The Great and Powerful Trixie was the hero of the story, and heroes didn’t generally go for revenge.

Well, unless it’s justice.

Once the class actually started, things mercifully died down and settled back into the usual boring rhythm. As uninterested as Professor Silence was at keeping order during class, at the very least his material was hard enough today that Moon Rock took it upon herself to silence the class. She did so by threatening to let Sunny Days follow the first foal to open their mouth, for the rest of the day.

That might not have sounded like much of a threat to the uninitiated, given that Sunny Days was easily the friendliest of the terrible trio, but she had a level of enthusiasm and energy that could only be described as madness-inducingly annoying if she went unchecked for too long.

For all of their failings, Starlight and Moon Rock did manage to keep a lid on Sunny, and bring the filly just south of unbearable.

There was one small silver lining to this whole web of lies by omission, at least Trixie could be sure now that Starlight would never tell the truth. The actual story, of getting smacked around by a filly half a year younger than her, was far too damning now that everypony was expecting Starlight to have been facing down diamond dog packs, nursing wounded wolverines back to health, or negotiating for dragon gold taxation.

Stupid Starlight. Who wants to be popular through lies anyway?

Still, Trixie felt a small twinge of jealously as she watched Starlight bask in attention. It looked nice, and nopony else seemed to be the least bit concerned that all those stories couldn’t possibly be true.


The bell signaled the end of school for most of the class and the start of the final showdown between Trixie and Cratos, the wooden crate waiting in Professor Silence’s office.

Although it wasn’t quite a one on one match anymore, considering that a new challenger had appeared. The, as yet unnamed, sneak-attacking pencil. Like a ninja. Maybe it was okay for Trixie to have a tough time coming up with a good name for the pencil if it was a ninja. You aren’t supposed to know a ninja’s name, or something, right?

“Trixie? Earth to Trixie?”

“Wah?” Trixie snapped out of her thoughts and looked over at Flitter, who was wearing Trixie’s hat. “When did you..?” Trixie reached a hoof up to stroke over her mane, finding it distinctly hatless.

“Geez, you were pretty out of it.” Flitter giggled while she tilted the stolen hat back. “I was going to ask to borrow it, but after the third time I thought I’d just take it… uh, if that’s okay? If it’s not okay, you can have it back now. I mean.”

If it had been anypony else, Trixie would have refused without a second thought, but in this case she had to think about it. She could probably trust Flitter to bring it back, but what could Flitter want with her hat? Maybe she just wants to feel great and powerful for a bit? It does look pretty cute on her…

“Uh, Trixie? You weren’t still dwelling on what happened in class, were you? You shouldn’t care about what stories they tell. I know you’re the greatest unicorn ever. Everypony else will see it too! Or, uh, they’d be blind. N-not that I’d blind them! I mean they would have to be, or else, uhm.” Flitter blushed and stumbled over her words until nothing she said came out as proper phrases anymore.

“Heh, thanks, Flitter. Trixie knows she is the greatest, and most powerful, of course, but it is nice to be reminded now and then.”

“Uhm, so… can I?”

“Huh? Blind them? Well, Trixie supps—Oh, the hat? Yes, yes.” Trixie scrambled to recover some semblance of competency and proclaimed, “Yes! Trixie will lend you her hat, but you are to take good care of it.” She wagged a hoof at Flitter warningly. However, much of the intended threat was lost due to her inability to stop smiling.

“I will!” Flitter saluted with the most serious face she could manage.

Turning to resume her quest toward detention, Trixie’s mood quickly withered when she caught sight of the trio loitering by their lockers just ahead. Starlight, Moon Rock and Sunny Days were discussing something, homework by the sounds of it. Curses, Trixie thought they’d have gone home already. Maybe they’ll just let us pass with a few insults?

Starlight rolled her eyes as she slammed her locker shut. “Ugh, I can’t believe you, Moon. Who died and made you teacher’s pet? What’s so important about learning how to tint glass?”

“First of all, I am not a teacher’s pet. And no, just because he actually talks to me does not make me one.” Moon Rock flipped through the pages of her book without looking at Starlight. “Second, you say that like it’s a bad thing, but academic performance is twenty percent talent and fifty percent work ethic, so it would be good to get into the habit now.”

Sunny Days was standing beside them, but her mind had long since left the building as she just stared out the window with a longing expression on her face. Then, as if a switch had been flipped, she was back, perky as ever. “What’s the other thirty? Is it enthusiasm? Sports? Long walks outside in the sun with—Oh, hey! It’s Trickery and Bucket!”

Moon Rock let out a long, tired sigh while she slowly lowered her book. “I should not even dignify that with a response, but it is nice to see you actually interested in studying for once. The other thirty is a good recommendation from your previous educational institution, obviously. it’s not Trickery and Bu—Oh.” Even Moon Rock’s dark blue fur couldn’t hide her glow of embarrassment. She was not accustomed to being wrong, especially not when correcting Sunny Days.

“Educa-what? You could just say ‘school’ you know. You’re not sounding smarter just because you’re using bigger words.” Starlight fell silent when she noticed Trixie and Flitter Bouquet coming towards them. Her eyes widened when her gaze met with Trixie’s and an involuntary shudder was quickly stamped out as she trotted into the middle of the hallway to obstruct Trixie’s path. “Oh, good, just who I wanted to see!”

“Finally, an outlet. This week’s been so stressful without you, Starlight.” Closing her book, Moon Rock fell in line besides Starlight. She showed an unusual amount of enthusiasm, considering for the whole week neither Trixie nor Flitter had any trouble with her. The eye that was not obstructed by her bangs alternated between Trixie and Starlight expectantly.

Meanwhile, practically bouncing, Sunny Days took a spot in front of Flitter. “Miss us? We missed you! Well maybe not exactly miss, I mean, we didn’t try to hit you or anything. Oh, hey! Nice hat!” She said while looking at Flitter, who promptly tilted her head down to hide behind the wide brim of Trixie’s hat.

Trixie stopped a step away from Starlight. Sparing a brief glance to the other two, Trixie then focused her attention on the the purple-maned blank flank before her. Really, we run into them now? They didn’t seem to be waiting for us, so it’s just coincidence? I wonder how much Starlight told them… It doesn’t look like they know.

Starlight wore an arrogant smile, but her face was pale, and her eyes kept occasionally darting to Sunny and Moon as though to ensure herself they were still close by.

There was no doubt in Trixie’s mind. Starlight was scared. A strangely tingly feeling spread through Trixie’s limbs as she came to that realization. Her lips curled into a wry smile. She hadn’t really considered how Starlight might be feeling after their last encounter. Flitter had mentioned she’d seen Starlight cry, but Trixie hadn’t believed it, until now.

“Running a little late, Tricke—”

“Starlight.” Trixie interrupted just a bit louder than usual, startling the filly. She stared unflinchingly at the little coward. “You’re in Trixie’s way.” It was a terrifying gamble to make, and Trixie had to fight hard to look calm and confident on the outside. Good thing she was well practiced at acting sure of herself.

“W-what?” Eyes wide, Starlight had to take a moment to get herself back on the rails. “Just who do you think you are? That’s the whole point.”

“Awh, I can’t see your face, Bucket. Here, let me help!” A yellow glow surrounded Trixie’s hat while Sunny lit up her horn. The hat floated up before the color surrounding it abruptly changed to an orchid shine. “Huh? It’s stuck?” Sunny’s horn glowed brighter, but the hat stubbornly stayed on Flitter’s head.

Only a faint shimmer of orchid magic came from Trixie’s horn while she stared Starlight down. Thwarting Sunny was trivially simple, it barely required any magic on Trixie’s part. She’d seen Sunny’s telekinesis spell before, and knew how terribly inefficient it was. “Starlight.” Trixie broke eye contact for a brief moment, looking up at the ceiling, then brought her gaze back down to meet that of Starlight. “Now.”

Starlight flinched and took a quick step back. “Woah, hey! I-I just wanted to, uh, say thanks for the card! Yeah!” She roughly shoved Sunny out of the way, sending the unprepared blond tumbling.

“Gah!” The magic tug of war game ended when Sunny lost her balance and fell. “Ompf! What?” Sunny blinked, confused.

Starlight wasted no time stepping away from Trixie, and into the spot that Sunny had just been occupying. Trixie spotted a look of relief on Starlight's face and did her best not to grin at the thought of how little a few hooves of space mattered for her ability to levitate Starlight. This urge to grin was pressed down into a visible frown as Trixie noticed just where Starlight was standing.

The look of relief on Starlight's face quickly turned to panic when she realized she was now standing in front of Flitter, affectively barring her way instead of Trixie's. Her face turned even paler after she shot a lingering look at Trixie. “You too, Buc-Bouquet. I, I just hadn’t had a chance before now. Yeah. Nice hat by the way, uhm, well see you!”

Starlight hastily stepped aside again, nearly trampling Sunny in the process.

“Ow! Hey, watch it!” Sunny squealed as Starlight stepped on her mane.

“Sorry!”

Moon Rock, who was conveniently already out of the way since the start, looked dumbstruck. Her eyes locked on the unfathomable display Starlight was putting on.

Trixie hadn’t felt this good in… well, a week. Perhaps she ought to see how far she could push this newfound respect. The dumpsters had gone so long without a filly being thrown into them by Starlight, Trixie was sure they’d appreciate an ironic revival.

A gentle prodding at her side caught Trixie’s attention. Flitter was peeking up at her from under the brim of her hat. Barely louder than a mouse, she spoke, “You’re going to be late.”

“Ah, right.” Trixie nodded. With the way now clear, Trixie, with Flitter in tow, walked past the trio. She did her best to act casual, and not let on that her heart was about to jump out of her chest. Once they were a couple of feet away, she let out a relieved sigh. I can’t believe that worked.

Just after they passed the corner of the hall, Trixie could hear Moon Rock speak up. ”Starlight, what the hay is wrong with you?”


Complete silence.

Somehow, the professor’s office always felt a few degrees colder than it was out in the hallway. Like stepping into a basement. In a basement it would have made sense, but Trixie knew that this office was on the top floor, and, moreover, was facing the sunlit side of the school.

For once, Trixie didn’t care about what time it was while she held Cratos, the defiant box, aloft. As always, it was much more difficult than she remembered it to be. Stupid confidence always telling her she wouldn’t have any trouble this time.

If she held it for an hour, she’d won the wager and her detention would be over. Of course, this was the last day of detention anyway, and in a hour she would be free either way. That wasn’t what she was doing it for anymore.

However, the time limit was unimportant, she was merely waiting for the ‘ninja’ to strike. Or rather, hope that it wouldn’t. Either way, she wasn’t going to be caught off guard again.

The sound of her own breathing betrayed that the muffling spell had been lifted, and a moment later a pencil clattered on the ground.

Trixie gritted her teeth and kept her gaze firmly on Cratos. Of course this would happen. “Trixie has to get it?”

“Well, since you are offering.” Came the mocking voice of the professor. As if he would have gotten it himself if she hadn’t said anything.

Taking a few deep breaths, Trixie steadied herself. All she had to do was keep the stupidly heavy box in place first without looking. Just like she’d do when carrying her books to school. Maybe she could just imagine carrying the books of the whole class.

On second thought, that sounds really heavy.

First things first. Trixie made sure the box was not directly above her. The last thing she needed was to be worried about crushing herself. Once she was sure it was safe, she closed her eyes, concentrating just on keeping her spell going. The lack of shockwaves and thunderous noise told her she was successful.

That is it! Just keep that part running! Now, where is the pencil? Carefully, she opened her eyes while she kept feeding energy into the spell, keeping it exactly as it was.

The pencil had rolled against one of the stool’s legs.

Steady now. A faint glimmer of orchid magic glowed around the pencil. Steadyyy. She dragged the pencil across the floor slightly while lifting up one end.

The box slipped from her magic hold.

“Gah! No!” She whirled back around and poured all of her magic into pushing the crate back into the air. “Stay!”

A bemused chuckle coming from the desk made Trixie’s cheeks flush. “Shut it! Trixie can do this!”

“Oh, I’ve no doubt. Any unicorn your age ought to be able to. If you’re having trouble, perhaps you could ask Miss Rock to tutor you? I understand she already does so for two other students.”

Moon Rock! Trixie would not be caught dead going to her for help!

But each attempt Trixie made at picking up the pencil went accompanied by her losing control of the crate. So far she’d managed to catch it before it hit the ground, but it was so hard to keep going. Sweat was pouring down her forehead as she once again looked away from the crate and tried to divide her focus between it and the stupid pencil.

This isn’t working! What if… what if Trixie throws the crate? That was an idea. A desperate one, but it was not all that different from catching it as it fell. If she couldn’t do both at once, then maybe…

Trixie wished she had her hat right about now. Just to feel a little more powerful.

With a jolt of magic, she flung Cratos up into the air and instantly dispelled her magic, then she turned and cast her telekinesis on the pencil with full force. The pencil whizzed up as though it somepony had stepped on its tail and shot up onto the desk.

At the very moment the pencil was above the desk, Trixie dispelled her magic and turned back just in time to see the box drop right past her. Her eyes widened, and her horn nearly exploded with light as she wrapped every shred of her magic around the speeding crate and violently yanked it up.

Panting heavily, Trixie stared in disbelief up at the crate, hovering just before her. She got to it in time. “I did it?” A slow turn of her head confirmed that the pencil was on the desk. “I did it!”

“Congratulations.” Professor Silence applauded while Trixie smiled from ear to ear. “You’ve brute forced your way through a problem that called for finesse. You must have some earth pony blood in you, mhm?”

“What?” The joy drained out of Trixie’s face.

“The point, Miss Lulamoon, which I am sure must have eluded you or you would not be patting yourself on the back, was to manipulate two objects at the same time, not to start throwing them around one at a time.” He rubbed his temples as he spoke, like the sheer stupidity of what he had just witnessed was giving him a migraine.

Dumbstruck, Trixie stared at the professor. “But, the box! Trixie—"

"Oh, yes, that. You certainly have some muscle, like an Earth pony even. But you show no finesse, or even the rudiments of a unicorn's dexterity with their magic. I am sure you will have a good career in lifting cargo as a dockworker. Or perhaps you dream a little bigger, and wish to take some mud pony’s job of helping others move in and out of houses?"

“B-but!” Her vision blurred as tears welled up in her eyes. She’d won! Didn’t she? Why did she feel like she’d failed miserably? Trixie lowered the box back to the ground. Even merely putting it down gently created an abrasive thud.

Professor Silence, meanwhile, had picked up the pencil and returned it gently in the cup along with its brethren. “I thought you might have some inkling of potential, but I’ve seen enough.” He looked at the clock then waved a hoof toward the door unenthusiastically. “You’ve wasted over an hour and seven minutes of my time already, you know the way. Get out.”

Trixie wanted to scream, but she felt herself teetering on the edge of wailing. Her lips trembled. If she said even a word she felt as though she’d break some final barrier and break down. She couldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her like that.

Without a word, Trixie turned and stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind her.

Complete silence.


The professor sighed as the blue filly left his office, then looked down at the crate she had left in the middle of the room. He wasn't even entirely sure how many weights he'd added to it in the last week, but he was sure their loss was noticed at the school's gym by now. He would have to get some help moving it this time, or unpack what was in the crate itself.

It was just too heavy for his magic, let alone, his muscles. He didn't feel bad about that though.

After all, it was beyond the magic of any unicorn he'd ever met to lift now. Well, every unicorn except one.