//------------------------------//
// Snacks, Sweets, and Surprises 
// Story: Sunset's Student 
// by Manaphy 
//------------------------------//

	Sweetie's stomach growled just by gawking at Sugarcube Corner. The structure looking like a scaled up gingerbread house didn't help matters, nor did the crisp aromas bellowing out of the chimney and into Sweetie's nostrils. Yet she'd never whine or mope about such scrumptious smells. Just visiting the shop and digging into any of their treats was a wish come true in her eyes.

Even with the allure of a sundae or a bowl of candy, the dumb sack of flour refusing to budge during her earlier lesson stung a little. It'd take more than sweets to completely heal such a wound.

At least Sunset, Rarity, and even Twilight were by her side. The princess chatting with Rarity when she and Sunset swung by to ask if they wanted to come along seemed almost too coincidental. And it wasn't as though they'd planned on staying long; Twilight and Rarity were out the door in the blink of an eye and Sugarcube Corner itself was only a few hoofsteps away. Coincidences never poked Sweetie's coat too much; Equestria was full of oddities, certain aspects of magic being one of them.

Coincidences only made her more curious about the world around her. Twilight and Rarity conversing about magic piqued her interest, the complex words escaping Twilight's lips something she knew she'd understand one day. At least Rarity's constant nodding and questions seemed to suggest she knew some of it as well.

Maybe magic was something all ponies grew to understand more; some just sought to learn more.

A purr broke Sweetie's train of thought.

"Oh, sorry," Twilight said with flushed cheeks. She giggled and ruffled her wings. "I haven't eaten since six in the morning. Maybe organizing the library and doing research makes you hungry." Smirking, Twilight raised her right hoof. "Ah. I'll be sure to research the connection between hunger, energy, and research!" Twilight clapped her hooves together; her grin widened to the size of a yardstick. "It'll be amazing!"

"Then Sugarcube Corner is just the place!" Sweetie licked her lips as she gazed at the establishment's glass door. A hazy reflection of herself made eye contact with her, Sugarcube Corner's interior somewhat visible. She'd gobble up at least one of the entire menu if she could. "It has everything! What's everypony gonna order?"

"Twilight and I will have what we usually get, dear," Rarity answered.

Sunset rubbed the back of her neck, sheepishly smirking. "Well, it'd help to have a menu," she said. "Do they have tea?"

Turning to face Sunset, Sweetie then nodded. "Of course they have tea! Why wouldn't they?"

"Beats me." Sunset shrugged. "Not every restaurant or cafe I've been to sells tea. Some of the places in the other world have some sparse choices. Not much variety, really." She trotted up to Sweetie. "Still, I think there's a place much like this on the other side of the mirror. And if I recall correctly, they had a nice selection of treats."

"Nice?" Sweetie cocked her head. "Nice? Sugarcube Corner is more than nice! Try amazing! Fantastic! Scrumptious!"

Twilight snickered again. "Looks like somepony is excited," she said as a matter of fact.

Bobbing her head, Sweetie immediately rushed over to the front door. She then pressed her hooves on the cold, smooth glass and pushed it open. A warm aroma greeted Sweetie and tickled her nostrils; the type of scent always seemed to change depending on the day and time. Sugarcube Corner's interior hadn't changed a bit since the first time she went, however. Tables were spread across a checkerboard floor and a display counter showed samples of delightful treats. Sweetie knew they were display models as opposed to the real deal, but part of her yearned to whisk one away and have a little taste test—if the Cakes were okay with it.

And as usual, dozens of other ponies already filled most of the tables, all of them with smiles affixed to their visages. Diamond Tiara and Pipsqueak, the former slowly fitting into her refreshed take on everypony, also conversed over a meal. The pair mentioned things regarding the school's state and how they could help further improve the playground; most of the jargon was a foreign language to Sweetie, so perhaps it'd be best to leave them to their own devices for now.

Besides, her stomach beckoned to be fed.

"Let's eat!" Sweetie cheered. She hopped over to an empty table and motioned toward the other three.

The trio all caught up and sat down on the curved chairs. Sweetie followed suit, leaping onto the smooth metal and shivering the moment her backside glanced the chair's surface. It was almost like reclining on a block of ice, the hairs on Sweetie's coat standing up. At least the chair's curvature soothed her back.

"Are you sure you need sweets?" Twilight teased. She waved a hoof in the air nonchalantly. "If you have any more sugar, I think you'd become more energetic than Pinkie Pie." The three older mares chuckled together, Sweetie joining in a second later. Once the giggles subsided, Twilight cleared her throat. "Anyway, how are your lessons?"

"Harder than I expected," Sweetie muttered. Her shoulders sagged a little.

Sunset brought her attention to Twilight. "She had some trouble lifting a heavier object," she said. "I told her it'll be just fine."

"Exactly." Twilight nodded. "I didn't master every spell known to Equestria overnight. Back when I was a filly, I struggled with some basic spells, but with some practice and determination, you'll get the hang of it." She donned a slight smirk. "In fact, I'm still learning about magic each day."

Shrugging, Sweetie placed her hooves on the table and arched an eyebrow. "You didn't?" she asked. "I mean, I believe you since Sunset said the same thing and all, but since you're—like—" Sweetie bit her tongue. For some reason, forcing out the words was quite the challenge. "You know, that Element of Magic thing ponies sometimes say, but don't since—you know?"

"I know—Element of Magic is what some ponies called me in the past." Twilight rolled her shoulders. "If they were trying to be extra formal, that is. However, it took me a lot of practice just to flip a page with just my magic. You're doing fine so far." She cracked a bright smile; Sweetie returned a slightly fainter one in return. "Just keep on trying the best you can and don't give up."

"I hope it works out." Sweetie paused for a moment. She fiddled with one of the small menus off to the side, only the size of an envelope. An emblem decorated with a cupcake-shaped symbol adorned the menu. The top of Sweetie's head then itched for some reason. Yet it wasn't the usual kind of itch. "By the way, I have a question."

"What's on your mind?" Sunset asked in a soft tone.

Peeking at her flank, her long-awaited cutie mark still emblazoned on it, she then turned back to the three. Maybe asking about something recent and unusual would be a decent place to start. Better that than asking why flour was heavy once again or if she could grow plants in a cinch for the next lesson. Twilight already grew tired of the former question during their journey to Sugarcube Corner. A seventh time wouldn't help matters.

"When I got my cutie mark with the other crusaders, we hovered in the air for a bit and there was this big flash of light." Sweetie rubbed the top of her head, the image returning to her. The electricity coursing through her veins and the audible gasps reaching her ears were the unforgettable parts, however. "For a second, I thought we were all becoming princesses."

"Well, you'd need an obscure and incomplete saying by Star Swirl to do that." Twilight snickered. She then rubbed the back of her neck. "Yeah, even I'm a bit stumped as to how that happened, but—" Twilight unfurled her wings "—but having these wings and the title has opened up new possibilities. Sure, it's not easy being a princess, but it can be fun and challenging at the same time."

"I bet."

Twilight froze in place for a moment. Folding her wings, she blushed. "Oh, I'm getting off-topic again. Sorry."

"It's okay, dear," Rarity said. She patted Twilight's back, everypony at the table cracking a smirk. "I've lost count of how many times I've fawned over fashion and beauty in the middle of something else." She blushed; her eyes darted around for a moment. "Rainbow Dash knows how much I've done that." A giggle left her mouth.

"Tell me about it," Sweetie deadpanned under her breath.

"As I was saying, cutie mark magic is one of the more mysterious parts of Equestrian life," Twilight continued.

"I remember when I got my cutie mark," Sunset added. "I thought a spell went haywire when I got mine. I might've dashed into a shrub while panicking." A sheepish smile ran across her face; faint chuckles left her lips. "But when I realized what happened, I was overjoyed."

"Did it involve hovering and flashing lights?" Sweetie asked.

Sunset nodded, lips pursed.

"I knew it!" She leaned over to the trio, then slumped back into her seat. "But—why? Is it because getting a cutie mark causes a surge of magic?"

"It doesn't make much sense to pretty much everypony," Twilight said. "However, what you mentioned is one explanation I've heard, so you might be on the right track. I know Starlight Glimmer has quite a bit of knowledge when it comes to the magic of cutie marks, but—" Twilight shuddered "—but she's not somepony who's easy to talk to, and that's putting it lightly. I'd recommend avoiding her just to be on the safe side. And keep in mind that I'm saying this."

Sweetie bobbed her head, aware that Twilight had a point. If she was encouraging her to avoid Starlight, doing so had to be for the best. It wasn't as though her parents or Rarity were ordering her to avoid something or somepony, though those often ended with Sweetie getting a scolding and the same lessons on behaving.

"Starlight Glimmer?" Sunset blurted out, her forelegs twitching. "Who's she?"

"It's a long story," Twilight and Rarity muttered in unison.

Sweetie sighed. She placed a hoof on her cheek. "Well, she must be a real piece of work." A pause lingered in the air. Sweetie made eye contact with Sunset, the former raising her head. "Not to be impatient or anything, but what are we gonna do for our next lesson?"

"I have a few fun activities in mind," Sunset answered. A bright grin adorned her visage, hooves clasped. "I'd rather not spoil the surprise, but I think you'll like it."

With widened eyes, Sweetie leaned closer to Sunset. "Are we gonna do a cool spell?"

"As I said, we'll find out when the time is right." Sunset winked, lips curling into a slight smile.

Sweetie shivered with anticipation. Such a simple gesture told so much and so little at the same time. Sunset must've had something spectacular in mind, but almost everything she thought of was a possibility. There was no doubt in Sweetie's mind as she quivered; a beaming grin adorned her face. For once, actually doing a lesson sooner rather than later was preferable. Not even the most interesting of Miss Cheerilee's lectures provoked such a response, Sweetie often at the edge of her seat when she listened to some of them.

"By the way, Twilight," Rarity said. She paused for a moment. "I heard you and Sunset are working on some studies together."

"That's correct," Twilight said, nodding. "Are you curious about those?"

"I am quite interested in what fascinating discoveries you'll make. I'll admit, I don't know much about how magic works, but there's always something marvelous about making an exciting discovery." Rarity chuckled for a second. "It's a lot like starting the latest fashion trend. You're sailing through uncharted territory." Rarity picked up the menu with said magic, the card hovering before her and surrounded in a blue aura. "Besides, ever since that ghastly Tirek made a mess of everything, I think we've all been at least a little curious about magic."

"I know, right?" Sweetie blurted out as she almost fell off the chair. "Why wouldn't somepony be interested in magic?"

"I bet there's somepony out there who isn't curious about it," Sunset said as a matter of fact. She twiddled her mane. "There are many different kinds of ponies throughout Equestria, after all. Either way, the research we'll perform should help answer some questions many of us have."

"Good point." Sweetie rubbed the back of her neck, a sheepish smile across her face. "Silly me." Chuckling for a second, she then adjusted her seating posture. "And can I help, please?"

Sunset made eye contact with Sweetie; her hooves froze in place. "Well, it's advanced algorithms and theorems we'll be discussing. Those aren't exactly what one would call exciting. We're mainly focusing on the portal, using magic for communication, and how magic plays a role in all kinds of ponies. And besides, I—"

"I'd still love to learn about that kind of magic!" Sweetie hopped off of the chair and pressed her hooves on the table. In some ways, the table somehow sent colder chills through her veins than the chair ever did. Unusual, given how at least half of Sugarcube Corner's treats and the aromas themselves had a cozy warmth to them. "And listening to you talk might help answer some of my questions! So can I please join?"

"Well, helping is out of the question. Sorry, but you're not ready for spell creation yet."

Sweetie's shoulders drooped; she sighed, her reflection visible within the table's surface. "Yeah, I guess you're right." For some reason, the idea of creating spells seemed much more complex than just learning about how magic functioned. She rubbed the top of her head for a second. While helping and listening to Sunset and Twilight's discussion sounded fascinating, the process of creating spells was one even she knew was beyond her skills. "Maybe I can help out once I've improved enough."

"Of course. Maybe you'll be making your own spells one day." Sunset cracked a smile. "But you can still keep us company if you want."

Shuddering, Sweetie's heart skipped a beat. "Really?" Her pupils shrunk to the size of pinpricks. "Can I really watch you two?"

"Sure," Twilight said. "And if you get bored, you can always spend time with Spike. He'd be more than welcome to talk with you."

A gasp escaped Sweetie's throat, almost as if the air fled her lungs. "Awesome!"

"But I do have one request to make."

In a flash, Sweetie hopped up and landed back on the chair. "What is it?"

Twilight clasped her hooves together for a moment, lips pursed. "Please don't mess with anything you happen to find." Twilight sighed, though her warm smile still decorated her visage. "Or ask Sunset and I if you're curious about something. I'd rather not risk something horrible happening." Her cheeks turned pale for a moment. "Celestia knows I've had a few too many close calls lately."

Sweetie bobbed her head. "Got it! Anything else?"

"I think we're good to go."

Sunset lifted a hoof up. "But first, I think there's a lesson in store for you," she said. "Want to do it when we're all done having our meal?"

"Sure thing!" Sweetie nodded again. "Let's do it as soon as possible, too!"

"Sounds good to me."

The four brought menus toward them. Sweetie scanned the listings and the prices adjacent to their names. She'd drool a tad if doing so was considered appropriate, but avoiding making a mess in front of Rarity was a must. The fainting couch appeared from nowhere and slid behind Rarity too often whenever the messes were apocalyptic in scale by her standards.

Though Sweetie wished she could procure a fainting couch of her own upon spotting one particular item. It was something which caused fierce growls and roars to bellow from her stomach.

The Chocolate Special Sundae. It was the perfect treat; if magic was involved in its creation, Sweetie wouldn't have been shocked.

Noticing Sunset, Rarity, and Twilight had placed their menus down, Sweetie then followed suit. She lifted her head up high. If the rest of the day kept brightening up, she'd be able to perform Sunset's next lesson like a pro. Maybe what awaited Sweetie was one of her initial suggestions.

That had to be it.

After one day of preliminary lessons, she felt ready for anything. Nothing could bring her down now.



Devouring an entire Chocolate Special Sundae may have been a mistake as far as Sweetie was concerned. It was a miscalculation all foals made at least once, and Sweetie was no exception. Diamond Tiara's instance of this accident was something affixed to the memories of everypony who saw her that day, Sweetie wishing she'd pushed those images away.

Rarity and Twilight had business to attend to, so it was just her and Sunset trotting by her side. As promised, a special lesson awaited Sweetie, her mind buzzing as she tried hypothesizing her next task. She wondered if it was one of the suggestions she told Sunset before, though it could've been anything as far as she knew.

It'd at least take her thoughts off from the twangs in her stomach.

Every step she took was heavier than the last, her legs aching more the further she trotted. Her cheeks were colored a pale green and puffed. Sulking, she wished Sunset's special lesson was only a step or two away instead of the thousands of steps it took for her to arrive where she was. At least Ponyville was bright and filled to the brim with beauty. Even the cottages and gaudy gardens had a little chic to them. She once took the singing birds, sunshine, and swaying plants for granted. Equestria surviving crises that made her blood freeze just thinking about them must've been why she saw nature in a new light.

"Can I ask you a question, please?" Sweetie muttered.

"Ask away," Sunset said with a smile. "I'm always willing to answer questions."

"Is there a connection between magic and how strong you are?"

Arching an eyebrow, Sunset donned a bemused visage. "Can you explain a little bit more?"

"Well, when I had trouble lifting the flour, it wasn't because I didn't do the spell correctly, right?"

"You seemed to be doing everything right. It'll be a piece of cake once you've practiced some more. That kind of spell is more of a benchmark if anything. It lets me know what kind of spells I should introduce you to as we move forward with our lessons, since introducing you to the toughest of spells that require tons of magic would be too much. But despite this, you'll still learn some cool spells at times."

"I see what you mean." Growls erupted from Sweetie's stomach. Her cheeks puffed up for a moment, though the aches subsided after a few seconds. "Well, do I have to pick up a sack of flour with my forelegs before I can lift it with magic? Can I even lift the biggest of objects with just magic, or is it just to make holding lots of things a little easier?"

"Don't worry about the flour right now." Sunset pursed her lips for a second. Placing a hoof to her chest, she cracked the slightest of smiles and nodded, Sweetie responding in kind. "There's going to be a next time for that. I promise."

"Okay."

"And as for your question, no. Magical abilities don't connect to whether you're physically strong. After all, Twilight and I aren't just muscle. You know what I mean, right?"

Sweetie couldn't help but imagining both Sunset and Twilight as having bulging forelegs harder than boulders, certainly a contrast to the soft and smooth bodies that defined them. Just thinking about such an oddity and the deeper voices which would've left their mouths brightened her face. If that was the case, then Bulk Biceps would've been an alicorn instead of a pegasus.

At least weightlifting was no longer a concern. Picking up even the lightest of dumbbells proved tiresome, Sweetie huffing and puffing whenever she went long distances with a filled saddlebag in tow. At least such tasks grew easier over time, though marginally so. Her cheeks still turned pale whenever Rarity asked her to help with luggage.

"Yep!" Sweetie nodded. "So it's practice that helps the most, right?"

"What else could it be? If you practice enough, maybe you'll be able to lift an Ursa Major."

"I—" Sweetie rubbed the back of her neck "—I doubt that. Anyway, thanks for clearing that up."

"No problem." Without warning, Sunset extended a foreleg before Sweetie, the latter bumping into it before scuttling an inch away. "By the way, we're here."

Sweetie raised her head and straightened her posture. Before her was a small pond, likely three meters in diameter. A series of lily pads floated atop the water, its crystal clear surface like something from a dream. Flower petals danced around the pads while fish swam and leaped into the air; Sweetie flinched at each of the splashes as flying droplets collided with her legs. It tickled in a way, though a slight coolness coursed through her body.

No supplies or anything that indicated a lesson about to begin made itself known.

Sweetie arched an eyebrow and then turned toward Sunset. "Um, what's this about?" she asked.

"You're familiar with teleportation, right?"

Shrugging, Sweetie then slowly bobbed her head. "Sort of. I know Twilight can do it, but can anypony else?"

"Yep. In fact, teleportation has a variety of uses."

"How so?" Sweetie nudged closer to Sunset. "Is it easier than trotting?"

Playfully tapping Sweetie's shoulder, Sunset trotted up to the pond and then poked the water with her hoof. "Not exactly. Teleportation can be quite exhausting if you use it too much, hence why most ponies just stick to trotting. And some spells can have a variety of certain effects if cast in a certain way. Teleportation is one of those spells, and it can be used to create all sorts of dazzling displays. It's not easy doing the more advanced stuff, however."

"What—" Sweetie cocked her head "—goes into teleporting?"

"Some imagination and picturing the environment around you." Sunset lit her horn in a yellow aura. Disappearing in the blink of an eye, she then reappeared in a golden flash before Sweetie. The filly jumped and shivered the moment Sunset reappeared, her heart rate spiking for a brief moment. "It's surprisingly simple, yet complex at the same time. However, it'll feel like second nature once you get a feel for it."

"How is imagining going from one place to another complex?"

"You have to think about how you'll do it and plan accordingly. If you just do it blindly, you'll fall flat on your face or upside down. It also makes teleportation different from most spells. You don't need strong magic to teleport once or twice. It depends on your thoughts." Sunset then sheepishly smiled. "I once had teleported a bit above the ground. It was embarrassing to see everypony watch me plant my face in the dirt, but I got it after a second try."

"Ah. Still, it doesn't sound too tough."

"Ignoring or removing distractions is important." Sunset took a deep breath. "First, I'll do a demonstration. Do you want flashy or something simple to start off? It's your choice."

Sweetie's eyes widened. At last, seeing the coolest of spells was within her grasp, her face glowing like a star. "Flashy, please."

"You got it!"

Sunset turned to face the pond. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. Not a peep echoed in the air nor the rustling of dirt or leaves reached Sweetie's ears. Seconds later, a faint breeze swirled around the pair, but no sound polluted the air. Sweetie could've sworn she heard her own heartbeats.

As before, Sunset vanished in a flash, only this time she reappeared atop one of the lily pads, standing on her hind legs and striking a graceful pose. Her horn glowed yellow less than a second later, vanishing and reappearing on a new lily pad. This time, her pose was different, a pirouette-like stance. The third flash of light occurred, Sunset returning to the first lily pad and supporting herself with just one foreleg.

And with one final flash of light, Sunset returned to the soil, standing on all fours as usual.

Sweetie's jaw dropped; her pupils shrunk. Never had she seen anypony perform such a feat. Even the best of the best she'd seen hadn't done something so marvelous. There was a story about Twilight performing the same feat, but hearing was a far cry from actually witnessing it. If teleportation could produce such results, Sweetie wondered what other kinds of spells could be so malleable. Most of all, however, she struggled to regain her composure, legs locked into place.

"Yeah, it took a lot of practice," Sunset said. She wiped the sweat from her brow and then exhaled. "You have to run all sorts of calculations in your head and ignore everything around you. Somehow, a few ponies can teleport without a second thought, though even I struggle with that at times. Honestly, I'm still surprised I can do such feats." She chuckled; Sunset rubbed her hoof across the ground. "So, if you want to do something like that, we'll have to start with the basics."

Normally, Sweetie would've rolled her eyes at the mere mention of sticking to the basics. Yet witnessing what Sunset displayed drove the message into her brain. Such a stunt wouldn't be possible without hours—days of practice. Scootaloo spent tons of time perfecting her scooter skills, after all. Perhaps magic like Sunset's performance was no different.

Maintaining a straight face, Sweetie merely nodded.

"Excellent." Sunset clasped her hooves together. "Let's start with teleporting from one place to another. To make it easier, let's not worry about striking a pose."

"Okay!" Sweetie cracked a grin. She licked her lips for a second. "So the trick is to focus on where I should go, right?"

Sunset nodded. "Exactly." She paused for a moment. "Are you ready?"

"You bet! And one more thing."

"What is it?"

"Since rapid teleportation is extremely difficult, I'd recommend you focus on taking things slow and steady."

"Gotcha." Sweetie took a deep breath and loosened her muscles. There was a small and wilting flower by its lonesome just in front of her; it was as perfect as any place to target. "Just don't get distracted," Sweetie reminded herself as she closed her eyes. Not a sound reached her ears. It was as though she was asleep, yet still conscious at the same time.

A bird's chirping polluted the air.

With her muscles tightened, an electrifying sensation then coursed throughout Sweetie's horn.

Sweetie opened her eyes in a heartbeat. It somehow worked, but something wasn't right. For some reason, Sunset was smaller than she recalled her as, not to mention she didn't remember seeing her from above and growing by the second. It was as though she'd temporarily became taller instead, shrinking as each second passed by.

However, the wind brushing against her mane was akin to her brief, sap-covered attempts at zip-lining.

A moment later, a harsh and sickening thud echoed into her ears. A sharp twang stabbed Sweetie's hooves; her legs twanged a little as she landed on all fours. Raising her head, Sweetie only mustered arching an eyebrow and donning a perplexed visage. How she got as high as she did made little sense, unless the teleportation spell caused her to descend from the skies.

Sweetie's throat tightened for a moment. A teleportation mishap must've been it.

She lifted a foreleg up. Sweetie did the same for the other. Realizing that no bones were broken, she exhaled and wiped the sweat from her forehead.

"Are you okay, Sweetie Belle?" Sunset asked. She rushed over to Sweetie and extended a foreleg toward her. "You're not hurt, are you?"

"I-I'm fine," Sweetie replied. A chuckle escaped her lips. "I may have made a mistake."

"The bird distracted you, didn't it?"

Nodding, Sweetie's cheeks flushed. "Yeah, I imagined where it might've been before teleporting. I think that's what happened."

Sunset lifted a hoof up. "Remember what I said about shutting out distractions?"

"I do."

Stepping back, Sunset then studied the environment; her eyes twirled about as they scanned each and every leaf and critter that might grasp somepony's attention. After a minute of silence, she rubbed her muzzle with one hoof and tapped the ground with another, humming a short tune.

"Sunset Shimmer?"

"I got it." Sunset cracked a slight smile.

"Got what?"

"Take a look around."

Sweetie arched an eyebrow. "How come?"

"It'll be helpful for teleportation." Sunset's horn lit up once more, vanishing in a bright light and reappearing closer to Sweetie a fraction of a second later. "Once you know the world around you and any possible distractions, teleportation will come easier. You're getting close since you successfully moved, but you just need that extra bit added to make sure you end up where you want."

Sweetie's eyes widened. "Ah. I get it now."

Stepping away from the flower, head held high, Sweetie observed her surroundings. Nothing outside of the pond and trees which covered most of the area stood out. A few birds were perched atop some of the trees' branches, all eyeing her like eager spectators. However, on most moments, there was nothing visible or audible to pull her away from focusing on the task at hoof.

"Here we go."

Sweetie closed her eyes once more and exhaled. As before, her muscles loosened, the image of appearing before the wilting flower engraved in her mind. A splashing sound reached her ears, though she didn't budge an inch. All she thought of was herself, the flower, and a black void which hid the rest of the world.

A tingling sensation covered Sweetie's chest. Opening her eyes, a bright green flash enveloped her.

And not even a second later, she was standing before the wilting flower, just as she planned.

Her heart was racing.

"Did—did I—"

Sunset nodded. "You did," she said. A smile wider than a yardstick decorated her visage as she made her way toward Sweetie. "Well done."

A gasp escaped Sweetie's throat. "I did?" Her eyes grew to the size of dinner plates; Sweetie galloped over to Sunset, wrapping her forelegs around the mare and stuffing her face into Sunset's warm chest. It was almost like hugging a pillow, though it couldn't hold a candle to achieving a spell. "I did it!"

"You sure did. Excellent work, Sweetie Belle." Sunset rubbed Sweetie's head; the two stepped away from each other as Sweetie released Sunset from her hug. "I knew you could do it."

Sweetie hopped up and down like a spring with a beaming grin. "This is so awesome!"

"It sure is." Sunset paused for a moment. "Let's do it around ten more times."

In a flash, Sweetie donned a bemused expression. Her body became static. "What?"

"You want to learn about magic, right?"

"I do." Sweetie nodded. "But once I can do a spell, I don't need to learn it again, right?"

Sunset shook her head. "Not quite."

"But why?" Sweetie's shoulders drooped, lips curled into a slight frown. There was no reason why she couldn't do it without trouble again. After all, she figured learning a spell just once was enough to ingrain it in somepony's brain forever. It was the only explanation for ponies like Twilight, Sunset, or Trixie being able to cast an array of spells with just a thought. "I can do it, so I don't need to do the lesson again."

"I'm afraid it doesn't work that way." Sunset took a quick breath and stretched her forelegs. "See, just because you have the capability to perform a spell doesn't mean you've mastered it right away. It's a sign that you're on the right track and improving bit by bit, but unless you dedicate a few hours to practicing the spell, you'll still be a little clumsy casting it."

"But what about you or Twilight?" Sweetie spread her forelegs out. "Don't you have a ton of spells you can cast right now?"

"We got there by practicing a lot." Sunset furrowed her brow. And with her muzzle scrunched like an accordion, she edged closer to Sweetie. "Now, do you want to learn magic or not?"

"I want to learn magic."

"Then you'll have to repeat past lessons at times, got it?"

Sweetie slowly nodded, sulking. "Okay."

In the blink of an eye, Sunset's scowl vanished; replacing it was a soft smile and a relaxed posture. "Good. Let's try the same thing again from the top."

Sweetie trudged over to where she was before her teleportation. Turning to face the flower, she closed her eyes and repeated the same procedure. Perhaps Sunset had a point when it came to practice as much as Sweetie loathed admitting. Surely the best at casting spells got to where they were after years of practice and studying. From what she knew about Twilight, the princess spent hours per day studying magic and honing her skills.

Maybe Sweetie was thinking about this the wrong way. The hypothesis that there was more than looking cool when doing magic crossed her mind. Yet that might suck the fun out of practicing with Sunset. It'd still be interesting, though the lessons would all lack the special ingredients that piqued her interest, made her heart race, and painted smiles on her face.

Sunset still clearly had Sweetie's best interests at heart; future lessons should've been more enjoyable. Magic was just much more complicated and difficult than she was expecting. The same story rang true for about half of her failed cutie mark attempts before she got hers. It was nothing new as far as she was concerned. Life marched on as usual.

However, she also figured that visiting Trixie and asking about the flashiest spells wouldn't hurt. Most ponies knew about her dazzling displays; Sweetie recalled being mesmerized by one of Trixie's illusions at a show she watched while vacationing in Canterlot a month ago. And if the rumors were true, she always donned a grin brighter than the sun whenever ponies asked her how she performed such feats. Her knowledge might be a welcome addendum to Sunset's lessons.

There was just one problem with her suggestion, however. Sweetie had no clue regarding Trixie's whereabouts.