//------------------------------//
// III: The First Step 
// Story: Trinity 
// by MythrilMoth 
//------------------------------//

Twilight Sparkle stared up at the ancient portrait that hung in a dusty, disused room deep within the bowels of Canterlot's most secret and secure vaults. "So these are the three mares you told me about," she said.

Celestia nodded. "Indeed. Three of the greatest heroes in all Equestria."

The ancient, faded portrait depicted a trio of mares in the ancient armor of the E.U.P. Protective Pony Platoons. In the center was a pink earth pony mare with a long orange mane held back by a big red bow. Her Cutie Mark was a large heart, made up of three smaller hearts in alternating shades of pink; at the center was a bright purple chrysanthemum. To her left, a sky blue unicorn with a short blonde mane tied up in twin tails. Her Cutie Mark depicted the same heart, with a bright purple octopus at the center. On the right was a green pegasus mare with a boyish black mane; the purple emblem on her heart Cutie Mark was of a winged sword.

"History has forgotten these ponies, but I have not," Celestia said. A small tear formed in her eye. "I offered, repeatedly, to commemorate stained glass windows and statues in their honor, but they refused time and again. Even this portrait was only painted on the condition that it never be displayed in the castle."

Twilight frowned. "But...I don't understand. Why...?"

"Because they were very humble," Celestia said. "And because their own power bothered them. They did not wish to be held up above their fellow guardsponies." She sighed as she began unlocking several complicated spells on a large silver-bound trunk. "They were squires when I first met them. You understand that this was a very different age."

Twilight tilted her head as she studied the armor the ponies wore. "It looks to be about...two hundred years after Nightmare Moon was banished," she said.

"That's right," Celestia replied with a nod. "These three ponies possessed unusual strength of heart, and their desire to protect Equestria and...and me...created a bond that became, until now, the only recorded instance of Trinity Magic." With a loud clack, the final lock on the trunk snapped off, and the lid swung open. Three silver peytrals floated out, each adorned with a large, dull purple gem cut in a triangle. Twilight couldn't help but notice that the silverwork bore noticeable damage and was badly tarnished.

"I'll have to have the Trinity Gems set in new peytrals," Celestia said. "Sized for the Crusaders and, well..."

As the light of Celestia's horn spilled over the three artifacts, Twilight realized that some of the "tarnish" was actually ancient blood stains. She cringed. "What...happened to them?" she asked quietly.

Celestia smiled sadly. "They fought many battles," she said. "They defeated many powerful and terrifying foes. Like you and your friends, they fought monsters, demons, and the dark forces that arose to threaten Equestria." She sighed. "And...they gave their lives protecting me."

"They...they died in battle?"

"Yes," Celestia said softly. She looked down at the floor. "For the first time since my sister's banishment, a mighty foe threatened the peace and safety of Equestria. I led the charge into battle, determined to protect my subjects with my own power. The Trinity refused to let me stand alone, even though they had no chance of surviving if they fought this enemy. There was no need for their sacrifice...I pleaded with them to leave the battle to me. But they would not abandon me. Their sense of duty and justice was too great.

"They were able to weaken the enemy using their power, but it...it wasn't enough. They were struck down."

Twilight gasped.

"Their sacrifice was not in vain," Celestia said. "If not for them, the battle might have waged for days...it might have destroyed much of Equestria. I am eternally grateful to them. I just...wish they had not chosen to..."

She began to weep silently. Twilight watched her for a long time, discomfited at the sight of her mentor in such a state.

Celestia sniffled. "Forgive me," she said. "It...it has been a long time since I last thought of my most loyal guards..."

"It...it's alright," Twilight said. She tentatively put a reassuring hoof on Celestia's shoulder and gave her a smile.

Celestia smiled back. "Come, let us return to Ponyville," she said. "By the way...I am entrusting you with guiding the Cutie Mark Crusaders into their new role. Not only their Trinity Magic, but the special talent they share."

Twilight ducked her head. "I'll do my best."


* * * * *


By the time the two princesses returned to Ponyville, it was time for Celestia to lower the sun. She chose to perform her nightly duty from Princess Twilight's castle. As Luna's moon took its place in the night sky, Celestia sent a letter to Canterlot informing her sister that she would remain in Ponyville for a day or two, then settled into one of Twilight's guest suites.

The next day, Twilight and Celestia, along with Rarity and her measurement kit, paid a visit to Ponyville Elementary. In order to avoid disrupting Miss Cheerilee's class, they waited outside, out of view, until recess.

When the students poured out of the schoolhouse, they were surprised and delighted to find two princesses in their midst. Cheerilee trotted up to them, bowing. "Is there anything wrong, Your Highnesses?" she asked with a mild, confused frown.

"Nothing at all, Miss Cheerilee," Twilight said reassuringly. "We just need to speak to the Cutie Mark Crusaders for a minute."

Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo trotted forward. Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Pipsqueak followed curiously. "Rarity? What're you doing here?" Sweetie Belle asked as Rarity began unrolling a measuring tape.

"Princess Celestia asked me to measure the three of you for...well, best to let her explain."

Celestia opened the clasp of the shimmery silk saddlebags she wore, which had her sun Cutie Mark emblazoned on the sides, and withdrew three ancient, tarnished silver peytrals. "These gems are specially attuned to Trinity Magic," she explained. "In a way, they are similar to the Elements of Harmony. I'm going to have to have them set in new pieces, sized to the three of you. Once Rarity gets your measurements, I'll take them back to Canterlot—"

Silver Spoon raised a hoof. "Excuse me, Your Majesty," she said. "You're going to have them set in silver, right?"

"Err...yes, that's right, my little pony," Celestia said, blinking at the interruption.

Silver Spoon smiled. "You don't need to take them back to Canterlot for that. My daddy can do it right here in Ponyville."

"Oh?" Celestia asked.

Silver Spoon nodded. "My daddy is a genius when it comes to working in silver," she said importantly. "He'll be more than happy to take on such an important order!"

Celestia smiled. "That would save a lot of time. Thank you for bringing that to my attention."

"So whut're we supposed t' do with these things?" Apple Bloom asked.

"For now? Nothing. In fact, until you come to better understand your destines and the special magical bond you share, I would prefer they remain in Princess Twilight's care. You may wear them for lessons with her so that you can become attuned to them, but their original bearers were twice your ages when they first wore them." Celestia smiled. "Right now, it is important that you continue to live your lives exactly as you have always lived them. Be young, make friends. Have fun, make mistakes, learn new things. But you will take on additional lessons with Princess Twilight, and I expect you'll be trying to help more of your young friends discover their destinies."

"Don't worry, Your Highness!" Scootaloo said. "We'll make our mark and do Equestria proud!"

"I'm certain you will, my little pony," Celestia said.

During their entire conversation, Rarity had busied herself taking the Crusaders' measurements. She put away her measuring tape and her notebook. "All finished!" she said brightly.

"Excellent," Celestia said. "And now, my little ponies, Rarity and I will pay a visit to the silversmith. Twilight, please remain to assist these fillies."

"Of course," Twilight said.

As Celestia left, Cheerilee stretched. "You know, it's quite a lovely day," she said. "I was going to give the children a grammar quiz this afternoon, but I think instead I'll extend recess for a while and take a long lunch in town. Princess Twilight, could I ask you to watch over my students for a little while? Perhaps you can spend some time with the Crusaders?"

"I'd be happy to," Twilight said with a knowing smirk.

"Then I leave it to you, Your Highness," Cheerilee said. Whistling cheerfully, she trotted off into Ponyville.

"She has a date with your brother, doesn't she?" Twilight stage-whispered to Apple Bloom.

"Eeyup." The fillies giggled.

"Hey, Twilight?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Yes, Sweetie Belle?"

Sweetie Belle shuffled her hooves. "I've been wondering...how are we supposed to figure out what a pony's special talent is? I mean, we've been trying to find our own special talents for years. All we ever seem to do is make messes and get covered in tree sap."

Twilight laughed. "Well...I have a feeling you're probably going to keep doing what you've been doing and dragging some of your little friends along for the ride," she said. "I mean, doing crazy things does seem to be what you three excel at."

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon giggled.

"Still, I think..." Twilight paused, rubbing her muzzle thoughtfully. "I think if you're determined to help fillies and colts find their special talent, first you need to get inside their heads, get to know them, really figure out what it is they like to do the most."

Apple Bloom blinked. "That...makes a lotta sense, actually," she said.

"Why didn't we ever think of that?" Scootaloo wondered.

"But if it's something they already do all the time and they haven't gotten a Cutie Mark for it yet, how does that help us help them?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Hmm." Twilight frowned. "You know, it might be easier to show you rather than try to explain it." She looked around the yard. Spotting a portly unicorn colt with a fez, she teleported over to him and spoke to him for a minute. He looked puzzled, but followed her back over to the group.

"Alright, here's your first lesson in..." Twilight paused, frowning. "I guess you could say reverse-engineering a Cutie Mark." She looked to the colt. "What's your name?"

"Truffle Shuffle," the colt replied.

Twilight blinked, but hid her bemusement. "Alright. What's your special talent?"

"I have a discerning gourmet palate," Truffle Shuffle said, pointing his nose up importantly. "I can tell from just a few bites if a food is perfectly cooked, undercooked, or overcooked, as well as whether or not the right seasonings were used."

"That's fascinating!" Twilight said. "So, what is it you plan to do with your life?"

Truffle Shuffle smiled. "When I'm older, I'm going to culinary school in Prance, then I'm going to study with famous chefs in Manehattan!"

"You want to be a chef?" Apple Bloom asked.

"No, not a chef," Truffle Shuffle said. "A food critic! I'm going to travel all over Equestria and review restaurants! That's my dream."

"That's a good dream," Twilight said. "So, how exactly did you find your special talent?"

Truffle Shuffle shrugged. "I like to eat," he said. "Probably more than I should, but I can't help it. I can't get enough of new foods and new flavors." He paused, then tilted his head. "The day I got my Cutie Mark, I was eating at the Hayburger." He frowned. "My hayburger was overcooked and didn't have any salt or pepper on it. The lettuce was all soggy and the tomato was mushy. It was the worst hayburger I'd ever had. I went to the back to complain, and the manager got mad, but then he saw what the cooks were doing and he yelled at them a lot, then thanked me for calling it to his attention. They made me a new one and it tasted perfect." He smiled. "That's when I knew. A little while after that, I got my Cutie Mark."

"How wonderful!" Twilight said. "Okay, thank you for your help. Run along and play with your little friends now!"

Truffle Shuffle bowed, then ran off to the merry-go-round.

"So we just...talk to ponies and find out what they like to do, then work with that?" Scootaloo asked.

"That sounds too easy!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.

"I doubt it'll be that simple," Twilight said. "After all, there are some ponies who don't even really know what they like to do yet. Or maybe they like to do something, but it's not really related to their special talent."

"Yeah, if it were really that easy, Button Mash would've had his Cutie Mark ages ago," Sweetie Belle said.

"Still, it's a good place to start," Twilight said. "It's also a good way to help ponies who don't understand their Cutie Mark figure it out. You'll need to build up your observational skills and learn a lot about ponies." She rubbed her muzzle with a hoof. "I probably need to start you all studying psychology and philosophy at some point..."

"UGH!" Scootaloo complained. "That sounds like boring homework..."

"If it'll help us help other ponies, we'll do it," Apple Bloom said. After a pause, she added, "but maybe when we're a little older? Ah think fer now, we'll stick t' doin' it our way. Gittin' ponies covered in tree sap." She winked.

Twilight giggled. "Alright. Small steps. Ease into it. Nopony's expecting you to turn into Cutie Mark guidance counselors overnight, after all."

"Still, maybe we should practice interviewing some of these ponies about their Cutie Marks," Sweetie Belle said. Her eyes brightened. "How about Snails? I've always wondered what his Cutie Mark means."

Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara looked at each other in mild panic. "You...really don't want to do that," Diamond Tiara said.

"Why not?" Apple Bloom asked.

Diamond Tiara glanced at Silver Spoon. Sil grimaced. "Snails' Cutie Mark...it isn't for something very nice," she said.

"Oh?" Twilight asked, leaning in with interest.

Silver Spoon sighed, her ears flattening. "Snails' Cutie Mark isn't...really what you'd call a special talent. It's..." She glanced at Diamond Tiara.

Diamond Tiara bowed her head. "Snails is...well...mildly retarded," she said. "We used to tease him about it a lot, actually."

Twilight blinked. "He's...seriously?" She tilted her head. "I always thought he seemed a bit slow, but he's really...?"

"Yeah."

"That's awful," Scootaloo said.

"Ah never knew," Apple Bloom added.

"What about Snips? Is he...?" Twilight asked.

Diamond Tiara snorted. "Snips? No, he's just an idiot. That's why they get along so well." She cringed. "Oh wow, that sounded awful. I'm sorry."

"It's alright," Twilight said. "Honestly, just between us, I've never been especially fond of those two." She grimaced. "Ever since they brought that Ursa into Ponyville..." She shook her head. "But yes, we shouldn't make a habit of saying bad things about other ponies. It isn't very nice."

"We know," Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon said in unison.

"How about we take our time to talk to some of your classmates? Some who have Cutie Marks, and some who don't?" Twilight suggested. "Maybe you can start to get some idea of how you can help ponies." She glanced at Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon and added, "You two should join us. I have a feeling you'll be helping the Crusaders a lot."

As the group moved into the crowd of laughing, playing foals, Apple Bloom asked, "Say, Silver Spoon...whut about your Cutie Mark?"

"Well..."