Switched Flanks
Switched Flanks
By: Sheepdog136
♦•♦
The shadowy figure standing in a dark room lit only by a single dim magical light is focusing immensely on a scroll unwrapped before herself. With the mage-light causing her silver mane to glisten she said manically to herself, “Yes! Yes! The Great and Powerful Trixie has finally decoded this ridiculous archaic unicorn spell! Trixie has been slaving over this spell ever since that stuck up pony, Twilight Sparkle, humiliated me in Ponyville!” She became angry just thinking of that name. “She will rue the day that she made me a fool of me in that run-down town she calls a home,” Trixie continued, “Now that I have this wonderfully powerful spell at my disposal, my plan can finally go into effect.”
“Now, now Trixie don’t get ahead of yourself,” she said to herself, “You still must decide who must be switched with whom… That over confident Rainbow Dash with that dim-witted earth pony Apple-Jack? No, she’d use her strength against me, I need someone weak to be switched with her, someone, dare I say, Elegant? Fluttershy yes, yes, wait no Dash cannot be switched with another Pegasus, she’s to gifted in flight, oh but of course, how has the Great and Powerful Trixie not think of this sooner?” Trixie began drawing a circle with various symbols on the inside then moved across the room and began to draw another circle with similar symbols and connected the two with an elaborate line. “Now who should Apple Jack be switched with? Yes, `yes of course! Trixie is brilliant!” The azure colored pony then continued to debate with herself about the necessity of a perfect switch until six circles were completed with elaborately drawn symbols inside the circles and connected with even more ornately drawn connectors.
“The transmutation circle is complete!” shouted Trixie excitedly, “But no time to rest Trixie, I still must figure out the way to get them in their proper spots on the circle…I wish I knew of this stumbling block earlier, Trixie would have made them believe her to be there friend and use that trust to capture them, “Trixie then came to a realization, “Of course, that’s just it!” Trixie let out a hearty laugh, “I can use that Sparkle’s quest to learn about the magic of friendship, against her!”
“Now to the subject matter of what to conjure to help me enact my plan,” Trixie said questioningly, “An Ursa Major? No, too cliché…besides even the Great and Powerful Trixie has her limitations. It needs to be something that would be loyal to me, something that would be fierce against my enemies, but would trust me enough to allow me to ‘defeat’ it in front of the residents of Ponyville so they will look up to me as their heroine and view Sparkle as an incompetent fool.” Trixie thought for a long moment, “Trixie is undecided, but that is not the most important matter, what matters is getting them here for the transmutation of their minds and body.” Trixie continued to plan out her extravagant plot late into the night and into morning, not resting for a mere moment. Trixie let out a long and powerful yawn, “Trixie is one magnificent pony but even The Great and Powerful Trixie needs sleep, but first I must mail some letters,”
Trixie arrives at the mail box and drops the letters in, “Now that step one of my plan is complete, it is time for a much needed nap.”
♦•♦
“So how are your studies on archaic unicorn spells going Twilight?” asked Spike while he was organizing Twilights various books and scrolls for the third time this week.
“I’m about to make a breakthrough in understanding the language of the unicorn tribe of Marezul, its truly fascinating how powerful--,” Twilight was interrupted by the sound of her mailbox opening and closing, “Hm… that’s strange the only mail I get is from Princess Celestia, and I get that from you Spike.” Twilight marked her page in the textbook in front of her, closed it and walked towards the door. The purple mare walked outside and retrieved the letter from inside her mailbox and brought it inside.
The letter was elegantly addressed to a Miss Twilight Sparkle. Twilight opened the letter and it read:
Dear Twilight,
I would like to invite you to a dinner party. I believe it was almost a year ago since our paths have last crossed. I have also invited your friends as well because a party is nothing without that wonderful bunch. The party will be held on the sixth starting at seven o’ clock. It will be held at the stone building just to the north of Ponyville, you can’t miss it. I’ll even put a balloon in the yard so you can be sure.
And please do be on time, I am one busy mare.
Yours truly,
An old friend
Twilight looked over the letter a second time. Who could this be from? Twilight thought to herself, Maybe I should ask everypony else about this letter.
“What’s wrong Twilight?” Spike asked, “You look puzzled.”
“This letter is signed an old friend, now who could that be?”
“An old friend,” Spike said sarcastically.
“Oh hush Spike, I’m going to see the girls and ask them about this,” said Twilight as she went out the door.
♦•♦
Twilight stumbled upon the girls at the park playing with what looks like a ball on their heads. “Hey girls, what’s up?” Twilight asked quizzically.
Dash swooped over to her and said, “Nothing much, just trying to figure out this weird and confusing game Pinkie made up.”
“Hey! It’s not confusing at all!” Pinkie said hopping her way towards the two with Apple Jack, Rarity, and Fluttershy following, “All you have to do is keep the Wobblydo in the air while standing on one hove and balancing another Wobblydoo on your head.”
“Told you,” Dash said into Twilight’s ear.
“It was truly a ridiculous game,” Rarity said.
“You guys are no fun,” Pinkie said sadly.
“Well, anyway, I received this letter today and I wanted to know if you girls received one also,” Twilight asked.
“Why do you ask?” Apple Jack asked, “What’s it ‘bout?”
“Oh, it’s just inviting us all to a dinner party on the sixth--”
Pinkie interrupted, “Ooo, a party! Whose party is it?”
“That’s just the thing,” Twilight continued, “It’s simply addressed an old friend.”
“How mysterious,” Fluttershy worriedly said.
“I’m sure there is nothing to worry about dear, besides we’ll get some free supper!” Apple Jack reassuringly said.
“I don’t know…”Fluttershy nervously said, “What if that pony wanted to hurt us.”
“Common Fluttershy quit worrying! It’s just an old friend of Twilight’s offering free food!” Dash said, “I’ll go, Twilight.”
“Well the letter said you were all invited, and also said that she sent you guys letters also,” Twilight said.
“Does this letter say anything about the attire for the evening?” Rarity asked.
“Uh,” Twilight scanned the letter again, “No it does not.”
“What a poor party planner,” Rarity complained, “How am I supposed to know what to wear?”
“I’m sure it doesn’t matter Rarity,” Twilight said, “So do you girls want to go?” Dash, Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie agreed and Fluttershy hesitantly agreed. “Then it’s decided, the letter says to be at the stone building just north of Ponyville at seven o’ clock, and it also says don’t be late.”
Even with her friends agreeing to go to the dinner party and believing that it is not strange that the letter is simply signed an old friend Twilight could not stop wondering what lies ahead for her at the upcoming dinner. One question kept repeating in her mind: Who could it be?
♦◙♦
The gang decided they would meet just outside of Ponyville before they went to the party. As Twilight cantered towards the designated meeting place the question was still repeating in the back of her mind. Why couldn’t the pony just put their name? Twilight could see that everypony was waiting already except Rarity. Of course she’s not here yet, probably still styling her mane. I just want to get to the bottom of this, Twilight thought annoyingly.
Twilight approached the other four ponies and was greeted with happy “Hello’s” and the usual greetings and made small talk until Rarity showed up. When Rarity did show up she was wearing a beautiful dress and it was obvious she spent at least an hour styling her mane and tail. I knew it, Twilight proudly thought. “Let’s get going girls, we have some time to make up since Rarity decided to be fashionably late.”
“You can’t rush perfection Twilight,” Rarity gracefully stated.
“We have to get there by seven, the pony that invited us is on a tight schedule,” Twilight said while she began to head north towards the stone building stated in the letter.
“Speaking of that pony, any idea who it could be?” Fluttershy asked softly.
“No,” Twilight said with an annoyed tone, “But the less we talk the sooner we’ll find out.”
“Twilight, why are you getting so annoyed at not knowing who it is?” Apple Jack asked, “It’s not like we are in danger or anything.”
“Why don’t we just keep an eye out for that building,” Twilight said nastily.
“Don’t get your hay bales in a bunch,” Apple Jack said jokingly.
Twilight glared at Apple jack and began to open her mouth to talk but Fluttershy cut her off, “Why don’t we just quite down, we’re all hungry and it’s making us a bit on edge.”
Silence filled the air until Rainbow Dash saw the house ahead, “Finally! I’m starving!”
You said it Dash, now I can finally ease my mind of who this mysterious mare is, Twilight thought.
♦○♦
“Where could they be?” Trixie shouted spastically, “Trixie told them seven and I told them to be on time!” Trixie was pacing the room at a quick canter and started to breathe heavily, “What if that Sparkle knew! What if she doesn’t come? A whole year of planning ruined! Why did I possibly think that she was foolish enough to attend a party where she didn’t know who was holding it? I may be great and powerful but I can sure be an idiot.” Just as Trixie finished her spiel, she heard a knock, knock, knock on her door. Trixie smirked.
♦○♦
A magical aura surrounded the door knob and the door began to open. I know this aura, I’ve sensed it before. Even though Twilight knew the aura, she could not put a name or face on it. Twilight’s thoughts were interrupted by Pinkie, “Whatever is in there it smells wonderful!”
“Darn tooting, I hope it will be ready soon,” Apple Jack said joyfully as she entered the door followed by the rest. Twilight was the last to enter. After all this worrying, I am finally going to figure out who this pony is. Twilight’s stomach grumbles. My, that does smell good.
The six ponies walk in to an elegantly decorated dining hall with a round table on top of a fine rug in the middle of room. As they approached the table they noticed name tags on the tabletop with each pony’s name.
“Well, I guess this is a formal party, with these seating arrangements and what not,” Rarity said.
“I guess you were right to wear your nice dress Rarity,” Twilight admitted. Rarity pulled out her chair and sat as if she was a royal guest. The others went to their spots around the table and sat down.
“And I thought this was going to be a party,” Pinkie said disappointedly.
“Now Pinkie, the pony that set this up obviously went through a lot of planning, I think you should show some respect towards your host,” Fluttershy said softly.
“Oh, you have no idea Fluttershy,” a familiar voice said. All the ponies were in silence when they saw Trixie standing in front of the kitchen door, “Now don’t greet Trixie all at once,” Trixie said with a frown.
Twilight was the first to break the silence, “Why are you here Trixie?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Trixie asked, “I invited you all here to dinner.”
“Well yes, but I mean, why are you here in Ponyville?”
“Well, I thought that I should apologize for what Trixie, excuse me, what I did to you girls that one night,” Trixie apolitically said.
“APOLOGIZE! You nearly destroyed Ponyville and killed us!” Rainbow Dash said with rage, “if you weren’t so egotistical we would have never been in that situation.”
“Now Rainbow, the mare is trying to apologize,” Apple Jack said.
“No, she is right, Trix-, I mean I was terrible back then, I let my ego get the best of me and the only way I felt good about myself was if I show-boasted,” Trixie said with her head low. There was a long period of silence.
What with the sudden change of heart? Twilight thought. “But why apologize now?” Twilight asked.
“Well, I was being looked down upon everywhere I went, I was being refused at markets, and I couldn’t even get an inn to allow me to sleep in one of their rooms. Instead of looking for forgiveness I simply went on with my shows and at some point I decided it was useless since no one would ever come to watch. I was soon out of money and I began to steal, and one day I was caught, my rock-bottom, but the stallion that caught me simply paid for what I grabbed and walked away, this made me think. I got this why because I always ran from my problems. So I decided to come back to the root of my problem.” And too finish what I started, Trixie thought. “So I come to you six girls, mainly you Twilight, and beg for your forgiveness.”
The six ponies looked at the sad and defeated azure pony and then at each other. Twilight nodded and they all understood what it meant, “It’s okay Trixie, I forgive you for what you did.”
All but Rainbow accepted the apology, but she hesitantly accepted it after a moment of silence. Trixie sniffed, “Do you all mean that?”
“Of course we all do, and I’m sure we would all love to help you apologize towards the ponies of Ponyville also,” Twilight suggested.
“You would do that for me?” Trixie asked, “Good Heavens! I have to get the food out of the oven.” The pony galloped into the kitchen leaving the six friends alone.
Rarity spoke up, “Well that was unexpected.”
“Agreed,” Twilight stated then smelled the air, “I wonder what that wonderful smell could be.”
“I don’t know but it smells great,” Pinkie said, “That’s the one good thing about formal parties, the food is always delicious.”
The kitchen door swung open with Trixie carrying six dishes of food with her magic and laid down a plate in-front of each of the ponies, “Dig in!”
“What about your supper Trixie?” Apple Jack asked.
“Don’t worry about Trixie, my food was burnt during our discussion,” Trixie said with a smirk.
Why is she smirking? Twilight thought but shooed it away, She changed, don’t worry about it anymore.
“Okey-Dokie!” Pinkie said as she plunged her face into the plate filled with food. As her face hit the pile of delicious looking food it burst into a magical dust that disoriented the ponies. Trixie let out a laugh.
“Is this some kind joke?” Twilight slowly asked.
“Oh, no, no, no, this is all part of Trixie’s plan. I was worried you caught on to my plot, especially my letter being singed an old friend, and your curiosity got the best of you, just as Trixie predicted. Now my plan can be set in full motion.”
Twilight looked even more confused. “Allow me to explain in a way you’ll be able to understand. You humiliated me, and now it is time that you pay for humiliating the Great and Powerful Trixie. I spent me nearly a year trying to translate this stupid scroll, but now it is all worth it.”
Rainbow Dash tried to move out of her seat but something was holding her down. She looked around and noticed a magical light coming from under the rug. “Oh, that,” Trixie pulled the rug from under them revealing a complicated circle with strange designs inside it, “This is what I’ve been working on for nearly a year.”
“Trixie, do you have any idea of the magic you’re getting into?” Twilight yelled.
“Stop taking me for an ignorant foal! I’ve spent a year translating this archaic language and I finally understand!” Trixie concentrated on her magic, she was obviously straining herself.
“Trixie stop! You’re going to hurt yourself.” Twilight begged but was too late, the spell was cast and there was no wondering what it would do until it took effect. The lights all burst with the surge of magical power, Trixie fell from exhaustion. She regained her senses and stood up and looked at the six unconscious ponies at her hooves.
“Now Trixie has to make hast to the Timber Wolves’ ruins in the Everfree Forest to complete my plan,” Trixie walked out of the stone building not even bothering to close the door behind her.
♦○♦
Twilight awoke to the sound of Spike calling for her to get up, “I’m up, I’m up, what happened last night,” she said this as she noticed that Spike wasn’t near her. She looked around and saw him poking at a purple pony. Who could that be, Twilight wondered. The purple mare shifted and eventually got up. “Twilight, what happened you never came home last night,” Spike questioned but once again he was not addressing Twilight.
“Silly Spike, I’m Pinkie Pie,” the purple mare said. Twilights ears cocked. That sounded just like me, and that can’t be Pinkie Pie! Twilight began to get up but she noticed something feathery brush against her sides. She looked at herself. What? I’m blue, and have wings! She looked towards the purple mare, that’s me! Something is wrong here. She continued towards Spike,
“Good Morning Dashie!” the purple mare said in an excited voice, “you look like you slept well.”
“Dashie?” Twilight said but not in her voice, seriously what is going on here, “I’m Twilight.”
“You can’t be Twilight, Your Dash!” the purple mare said as she pointed a hoof out towards Twilight’s chest, “What the, why am I purple! I’m Pinkie Pie, not Purple Pie!”
“What in tarnation!” Twilight heard come from the other side of the room, “What is up with my mane? Its all, pink” Twilight looked at the pony,
“Fluttershy?” Twilight asked.
“Heck no, “the pony said, “I’m Apple Jack,” the pony looked at herself some more, “Wings? What happened last night, Twilight?” She looked at Pinkie Pie for the answer.
“I’m over here AJ,” Twilight said, “and apparently we somehow switch minds or something.”
“Now the is just down right ridicul-“Apple Jack was cut off by the sound of screaming,
“My mane! My beautiful mane! RUINED!” the pony cried, “It’s hideous!” Twilight saw that it was the body of Apple Jack saying this,
“Rarity?” Twilight asked, “Is that you?”
“Of course it me!” The pony said.
“What do you mean, hideous?” Apple Jack asked noticing it was herself she was talking to.
“Look at it! Can’t you see?”
“Don’t be calling my mane hideous now.”
“Your mane?”
“Now hush you two,” Twilight interrupted, “Rarity, we somehow switched bodies, I’m Twilight, she’s AJ and she’s Pinkie,” Twilight said while gesturing towards the ponies.
“Switched bodies?” Rarity asked, “How did this happen?”
“It must have been Trixie’s doing,” Twilight suggested, “We should wake the other girls and figure out who is who.” The three nodded. “Spike make note of who is who so we don’t get confused later on.”
“Yes Ma’am.” Spike said. Twilight woke up the body of Pinkie Pie, and asked who it was, she answered Fluttershy. Twilight proceeded to walk over to the body of Rarity to ask her who she was, ignoring the questions coming from Fluttershy. She said she was Rainbow Dash then Twilight explained the situation the all the ponies. “Alright Spike, let’s see that list to make sure every pony knows who every pony is.
The Chart read:
Pony switching chart
Rarity=>AJ
Pinkie=>Twilight
Twilight => Dash
Dash =>Rarity
Fluttershy => Pinkie
AJ => Fluttershy
“Did I get everything right?” Spike asked as Twilight reviewed the paper.
“Looks good Spike, I think we should go ask Princess Celestia if there is a way to switch us all back, then we’ll go find Trixie.” All the ponies agreed and they headed out of the building they entered last night.
♦○♦
Trixie entered the dark ruins cautiously because the Timber Wolves are the one thing she feared might go wrong. Now where is this timber altar I need to find? Trixie asked herself. The mare wandered around the ruins for a bit and comes across the timber altar. She placed what looked like simple brush wood upon the altar and revealed a scroll from within her cape. She opened the parchment and recited what was written on it. She noticed the brush wood begin to shake, it’s actually working, Trixie thought to herself, well of course it works, I am the Great and Powerful Trixie. She lets out a sly grin and continues reciting what’s written on the scroll. The wind around her began blow hard on her body and she is forced against a nearby pillar. I have to finish this! Trixie continued and with a powerful shout said the final words. Once the final word passed her lips she was forced to the ground because of the power around her and nearly passed out. The power around the ruins subsided and Trixie forced herself up until another powerful force pushed her down. She felt something splintery in her hair and smiled.
♦○♦
The six mares approached the hall door leading towards the throne room. What will Celestia think of me? Falling for such a stupid trick... I’m not going to be able to be her protégé after this. The guards recognized Twilight, who is actually Pinkie, walking towards them and opened the tall heavy doors.
“Welcome girls, how unexpected, did you learn anything new about friendship?” the Princess asked.
“Well, we seem to have a problem...” Twilight said.
“Yes, Rainbow Dash?”
“Yeah, that’s the thing, I’m Twilight.”
“Excuse me?”
“Well, we all received a letter from ‘an old friend’ asking us to go to a dinner party, turns out that ‘old friend’ was Trixie and she somehow switched our minds,” Twilight admitted expecting a scolding for her dim-wittedness.
There was a long pause as Celestia thought, “Okay, you have to tell me every detail you remember from last night, What was she saying, what was the environment you were in, how did you feel as the spell was going on?”
“I can’t remember much but she seemed to knock everyone out but me, she said something about translating a scroll. Also the ground had all these elaborate symbols that glowed when she casted the spell.”
Celestia thought for a moment, “This sounds like an archaic spell, and if so, Unfortunately, I would not be able to help you. Those scrolls are one of a kind and it is impossible to copy one. You’ll need to find Trixie as soon as possible, and make her tell you how to reverse it, or bring her to me and I’ll get it out of her.”
“She also said something about the Timber Wolves, but I thought those where extinct,” Twilight said questioningly.
“That can’t be right,” Celestia stammered, “but if she was capable of achieving this, then she might have been able to break my imprisonment spell.”
“What do you mean?”
“I imprisoned the Timber Wolves in their ruins after Ponyville just settled,” the Princess explained, “They were very powerful and if Trixie releases them, then we have a much bigger problem than you girls.”
♦○♦
Trixie looked up at the beast on top of her, and then to the beasts circling around her, I did it! I actually released the Timber Wolves, Trixie thought with a grin.
“WHY ARE YOU SMILING!” the beast yelled, “I am Alpha, the leader of this pack, and I demand you tell me why you are smiling!”
“If you would so kindly get off of me Trixie will explain,” Trixie said. The beast pushed off of Trixie, knocking the breath out of her. “I was smiling because I freed you from your imprisonment.”
“Why would you do such a thing, little pony?” Alpha questioned.
“I figured that you would owe a favor to anypony that freed you, and Trixie was thinking-“
“What’s stopping me from eating you right now?” Alpha interrupted.
“Oh, well, I guess nothing, but you are in my debt, and I thought you would honor that debt.”
“And what do you want us to do to fulfill the debt?” Alpha asked teasingly.
“I want you, to go to Ponyville and cause a little chaos, then I come in and ‘defeat’ you, so that I can gain the respect I deserve, then you guys can be on your merry way.”
“Ponyville,” Alpha said with a disgusted look, “What is stopping us from completely obliterating that place, we do need to get our revenge on them for imprisoning us.”
“Oh no, no, no, that will simply not do, besides it wasn’t Ponyville that imprisoned you, It was Princess Celestia,” Trixie explained.
“The pony’s right!” yelled one of the lesser wolves and others began to agree.
Trixie smiled, “Now do we have a deal? After we do our little show, you can go straight to Canterlot.”
Alpha thought for a moment, and with a quiet grunt muttered, “Deal.”
♦○♦
The six friends gathered in a large open field to practice their new found skills. “The hardest part of this training is going to be teaching the Pegasus to fly and the Unicorns magic,” stated Twilight as she was thinking how to approach the feat of flying.
“Getting off the ground is easy, it’s staying in the air that’s the hard part,” Rainbow said to Twilight and Apple Jack, “Now I want you two to start at a trot and slowly flap your wings and progressively flap harder.” Apple Jack was the first to get off the ground but as soon as she got off she fell to the ground head first.
“Well that hurt,” Apple Jack said while Rainbow was laughing. Twilight then got off the ground and flew high.
“That’s it Twilight!” Rainbow shouted, “Now you just have to stay stable in the air!”
“I’m flying! I’m really flying!” Twilight shouted with excitement.
“Now try landing!” Rainbow said as Apple Jack flew off again.
“Land?” Twilight nervously asked as she descended in the air.
“No! Slow down Twilight,” Rainbow shouted, as Twilight hit the ground hard and skidded across, pulling up grass and dirt.
“Well I guess that’s one thing we’ll have to work on,” Rainbow said mockingly.
Twilight brushed herself off and said, “Well that’s enough flying for now. Rarity, let’s teach Pinkie and Rainbow about magic.”
“Finally! I’ve always wanted to do all the fun things with magic!” Pinkie exclaimed.
“Magic is for eggheads,” Rainbow scoffed.
“Well there is no other choice so you’re gonna have to deal with it,” Twilight said, “The rest of us has to train with each other’s abilities and so do you. Now, I want you two to pick up these rocks with your magic, first you have to focus on the rock and pick it up.”
“That simple?” Rainbow questioned, Rainbow focused on the rock and noticed a blue aura around it and smirked, “This magic stuff is too easy.” Rainbow then tried to levitate the rock up but instead of lifting the rock simply burst into dust.
“Focus Rainbow, it takes a lot of mental strength to correctly use magic,” Twilight lectured.
Pinkie then attempted to lift the rock, she was able to get her purple aura around the rock but was unable to lift it, “I know!” Pinkie said as she squeezed her eyes shut and focused. Balloons appeared above the rock and it lifted the rock up. Pinkie squealed in excitement and hopped around the ground.
“Not what I was expecting, but I guess it works,” Twilight said confused.
“We should defiantly teach Fluttershy and Rarity the proper way to buck and maneuver,” suggested Apple Jack. Apple Jack brought them over to an apple tree and told them to get as many apples down with one buck as they could.
“I will not subject myself to this brute behavior,” Rarity said.
“Now Rarity, you have to be able to use Apple Jack’s great strength if we want to be able to get our own bodies back,” Twilight said.
“Alright fine,” Rarity walked towards the tree and bucked, ten apples fell.
“Good job for your first time, but you have my strength, you should be able to get that whole tree,” Apple Jack said, “Now give Fluttershy a shot.”
“But what if there is a bird nest or a squirrel in there?” Fluttershy pleaded. Apple Jack simply just stared at her. “Okay, I’ll do it.” Fluttershy walked towards the tree and gave it a tap, “Oh, looks like they won’t fall,”
“Fluttershy!”
Fluttershy let out a squeak and went back to the tree. She bucked it strong and eight apples fell. “There happy?”
“Yes Fluttershy,” Apple Jack said.
Throughout the rest of the day each pony practiced her new abilities and it was about time for a break, Twilight thought it would be a good idea to tell the Princess of their progress. Twilight found Spike since she only can write with magic, and wrote:
Dear Princess,
Apple Jack and I are now able to fly pretty well but I still cannot reach the speeds of Rainbow Dash. Rainbow learned some basic magic but she doesn’t seem to grasp the concept of concentration and Pinkie is surprisingly good with her magic, weird but good. Fluttershy doesn’t like to use much strength but she is surprisingly agile on her feet. Rarity is still working on getting the true strength of Apple Jack’s body but is making progress.
Your Faithful Student
Twilight Sparkle
Spike sent the letter to the Princess and within minutes received one back and read it aloud,
Twilight,
I am going to be very honest with you; there have been Timber Wolf sightings in the Everfree forest. Zecora had to flee her cottage. There is no way you girls are going to be able to defeat them in the current situation you girls are in. I shall send the Royal guard to Ponyville and there will be extra squad to accompany you when you go find Trixie. You must bring Spike with you, you must get that scroll from Trixie and have Spike send it to me, and I will send back a reverse spell as soon as I figure it out. Until then you have to keep away from Alpha, the leader of the wolf pack, when I send you the reverse spell and after you switch back I will send a spell to destroy the Timber Wolves for good, I was too kind to them before.
The Royal Guard should be there at Ponyville now, you must go now, and please be careful.
“Do you all understand? We have to get that scroll,” Twilight asked and everyone nodded. The seven of them went off to find the Royal Guard.
♦•♦
By the time they have reached town, Ponyville was already under attack by the Timber Wolves. It was quite obvious that the Timber Wolves were not expecting any sort of retaliation. There was chaos among the Timber Wolves, and some were even beginning to retreat back into the forest to regroup. Twilight spotted a camp of Royal Guards at the middle of the town and began heading towards them. Four Timber Wolves turned around a corner and found the seven friends and charged at them. Rainbow grasped a barrel that was near and hurled it towards the pack of wolves. The barrel caught the wolf’s side and he was staggered for a moment. Twilight flew with great speed and kicked another wolf in the side of the neck. The wolf fell to the ground and got back up and whimpered away. Fluttershy saw that Rarity was about to be pounced on and immediately turned and bucked the wolf out of the air. The three injured wolves fled with the forth soon following. The group of friends then made their way to the camp of guards without anymore interruptions.
“Where is the squad that Celestia sent for us?” Twilight asked, “We must get to Trixie soon.”
♦○♦
“Sir!” a timber wolf shouted, “The princess sent in the Royal Guard. There are too many of them for us to do anything!”
“Ah,” the Alpha sighed, “Perfect.”
“What do you mean perfect?” Trixie demanded, “Trixie’s plot is ruined if I Can’t save Ponyville!”
“I’m going to Canterlot, the Princess sent all her guards here and now she lies defenseless.”
“You can’t go!” Trixie screeched, “I’ve spent so long setting this up and it will not go down the drain!”
“Beta, Gamma and Delta come with me, Epsilon, zeta and the rest stay here with our little blue friend.”
“Yes, sir!” the wolves shouted in unison.
Trixie was panting now, wide eyed and confused. What do I do? These meager wolves don’t stand a chance against the Royal Guard, not without their alpha! What do I do…What can I do?
“Ma’am, Six ponies and some guard just entered the forest, what do you want us to do?”
Trixie hung her head low and said softly, “What can I do…”
♦○♦
Twilight and her friends along with the Royal Guards where trudging through the forest at a fast canter. Each of the pony’s eyes is peeled looking for any sign of Trixie’s encampment. There was no sign of any Timber Wolf activity, this concerned Twilight. They must be setting up an ambush, Twilight thought as she noticed a faint flicker of a fire in the distance, “That must be the camp, let’s take it slow from here.”
The group stealthily approached the camp to see a group of wolves waiting for Trixie to give orders, but she just sat there looking lost and confused. One of the guards leaned in for a closer look but a twig snapped under his hoof, and at once the wolves sprang into an attack stance. “Orders Trixie?” a wolf questioned.
Trixie thought for a moment, “Everyone except Epsilon focus on the guards, Epsilon watch my back as I get rid of Twilight and her friends.” Twilight could see in the eyes of Trixie that she knew that her planned was ruined. Where could Alpha be? Twilight thought. She scanned the camp for Trixie’s tent thinking it’d be the most likely place for the scroll. She saw one that read “The Great and Powerful Trixie”, well that was easier than I thought, Twilight thought.
“Alright, the guards go in first and distract the wolves, the rest of you keep Trixie busy while I try and find the scroll,” Twilight explained, “Ready?” The group nodded.
The guards went in first and headed towards the pack of wolves. The wolves circled around the guards and the battle began.
“Now girls, go distract Trixie, and Spike you stay here and I’ll get to you once I get that scroll, and when Celestia gives us the reverse spell get all of our attention. Okay, let’s do this.”
The five ponies approached Trixie and the wolf with her.
“Now where is your Twilight Dash,” Trixie let out a laugh and then said to Epsilon, “Get them.”
The wolf made a pounce and connected with Rainbow Dash, Rarity quickly bucked the wolf off of her. Twilight then flew with amazing speed towards Trixie’s tent, “NO you’ll never find it!” Trixie yelled as Apple Jack and Fluttershy charged towards her. Trixie casted an illusion spell the made a dense fog cover the entire area and then started towards her tent. As she got to the entrance of her tent Twilight flew out and headed towards Spike.
“Spike, send this to Celestia!” Twilight yelled as she tossed the scroll towards Spike. Spike took the letter and blew on it and it was sent; now they must wait.
Trixie burst through the brush and yelled, “Where is it! Where is my scroll? What did you do with it, do you realize what I had to do to get that! You will rue the day Twilight Sparkle. Trixie will get her revenge.”
“It’s too late Trixie, Celestia will find a reverse spell, and I’m not sure what she’s going to do to you, but I’m sure if you give up now she’ll be less harsh with a punishment,” Twilight persuaded.
“No, I will get my revenge, little does Celestia know, Alpha decided to head over to Canterlot with his top three wolves since all the guards are here.”
“Celestia can handle herself, and she had Luna there with her. You lost Trixie, give up.”
“You are the one who lost Twilight, while you stand here talking to me, your friends are being hurt by the wolves, there is nothing you can do.”
“Trixie, you used to be just annoying and a show boaster, but now you are just a self-centered arrogant mare. You are completely driven by vengeance and it has consumed you. Even if you get away, no one will respect you anymore, they know you caused this, they will despise you even more.” Trixie exploded in rage and lunged towards Twilight. Twilight threw Spike on her back and flew towards her friends. She noticed there were no more wolves in the area and that everypony was fine. Spike coughed up a letter and Twilight handed it to Pinkie Pie. “Pinkie you have to read what’s on the scroll and concentrate very hard on what you are doing, do you understand?” Pinkie nodded and began to read the scroll. “Guards, make sure Trixie doesn’t get near us.”
Pinkie was nearing the end of the scroll and Trixie casted her fog-spell a second time and began charging for Pinkie Pie, she slipped past the guards and tackled Pinkie. “HA! I’ll never let you finish that spell! You thought a magic mediocre like Pinkie could do this complicated spell?” Trixie looked around but saw that the six friends were collapsed on the ground. Trixie looked back at the pony she pounced on with a worried look.
“Think again,” Twilight said and shot Trixie with an electric shock and got back up, I’m back to my old self, looks like everyone else is still out cold, that’s fine, I can take care of her on my own. “Give up Trixie, you can’t match my magic!” A flash came from the other side of the camp and yet again a dense fog covered the encampment. Twilight hears the charge coming from her left, turned and shot a binding spell. The fog faded and Trixie laid bound in magic.
“Now what are we going to do with you?” Twilight asked herself.
♦○♦
“There, the reverse-spell has been sent,” Celestia said.
“Hopefully the girls do the reverse spell right,” Luna said concerned.
“They’ll be fine, they have been through worse,” Celestia reassured. Suddenly the main chamber door busted open, revealing Alpha, beta Gamma, and Delta.
“How naïve of you to send all of your guards to Ponyville when I could show up at any minute,” Alpha said, “Too bad all those ponies had to get hurt.”
“Oh, it’s all part of my plan Alpha, you see, I just sent Twilight and her friends the reverse-spell, and I knew you would show up, that’s why I prepared this,” Celestia said coolly as she placed her feet on a tile and her horn let out a quick flash.
“What is this? Why can’t I move?” Alpha demanded.
“I’m doing the same thing I did with Discord, and with you, I don’t have to worry about you breaking the spell,” Celestia said with a sly smirk, “Any last words?”
Alpha thought for a moment, “Long live the Princess,” he said in disbelief.
♦○♦
“Well, I do love the new addition to your garden Princess,” Twilight said looking at the stone statue of Alpha and his top three pack members.
“Yes, me too, Now did you learn anything about friendship?” Celestia asked.
“Of course Princess, I learned that eachpony has her own special abilities that they can only truly be the best at and if you don’t recognize their abilities then you are losing out on a great part of who that pony is,” Twilight concluded, “But can I ask what you did to Trixie?”
“Trixie is on her third and final strike, but to answer your question she is closed off from society and a cabin that suppresses any sort of magic. Unless anyone interferes, you shouldn’t need to worry about her.” Celestia said plainly.
“Alright, well I guess that’s for the better, I just wish she would change, there is a lot of potential in her as a unicorn. Well, I’ll see you another time, Bye Princess,” Twilight said.
Celestia waited for Twilight to leave before she walked to the back of her garden, “I couldn’t bear to tell Twilight about you, she obviously didn’t want to be enemies with you, but you were too much of a risk,” Celestia said to a statue of a pony with a cape and hat.