Trixie takes matters into her own hooves when Starlight agrees to take her back in time to when Sunburst got his cutie mark
A blast of magic changed history when Starlight went back in time to show Trixie what led her down her path. Can Starlight Glimmer set things back on track?
Starlight and Trixie were outside Twilight's castle, they were walking out of Trixie's caravan with smiles on their faces.
'' I think we're ready'', Starlight said.
'' Yes, this will be the greatest, most powerful magic show Equestria has ever seen''!! Starlight gave a sincere grin
'' I don't think anything can beat your 'moonshot manticore mouth dive' Trixie, I mean if I had not forgiven you for your little... outburst, you would've been a goner''. Trixie puffed out her chest a little.
'' Ya, sure, but I have really improved on my real magic since becoming your friend, and you have improved on being a great and powerful assistant, that was our first show, now we are in sync'', Trixie finished with a wave of her hoof. In mere seconds the blue unicorn's face dissolved into pure mischief as she smiled, Starlight knew that face, that was the face her friend made when she wanted her to do something Twilight wouldn't approve of.
Starlight stepped back as she narrowed her eyes at Trixie.
'' What are you thinking'', Trixie smirked at Starlight as she circled the other unicorn.
'' How do you feel about having a little bit of fun''. Starlight raised her eyebrow, keeping her gaze on the magician.
''Like what'', She asked in a wary tone, Trixie stopped in front of Starlight, sat down, and acted as dramatic as possible.
'' Well, when I first met my best friend she told me that she might have been totally and utterly evil, and even though I have stories to go by, I would really, really, really like to see what actually happened to make her that way''. Starlight gave Trixie a stern look.
'' Trix, we've been over how dangerous time travel can be, last time I tried I nearly destroyed all of Equestria, time travel is not to be messed with''. Trixie didn't want it to come to this, but she had to play on Starlight's weaknesses.
'' Ok, guess I will just keep living a lie'', Trixie said in a sarcastic tone ending with a sigh, she shot a pout at her friend. Starlight grimaced, she hated when Trixie did this. Starlight reluctantly gave in to Trixie, rolling her eyes, she responded.
''Ok, fine, I know a spell to get us to the same place and time Sunburst got his cutie mark'', Trixie hugged Starlight with excitement.
''yes, yes, yes, oh thank you Starlight''! The two unicorns walked into the castle, Trixie with excitement, Starlight with fear.
Starlight was getting ready to cast the spell with Trixie when she sa+*w the princess of friendship approach them.
'' Hi, Starlight, hi, Trixie. What are you two doing?'', Twilight greeted. Starlight was about to say something when Trixie cut in.
''Starlight is taking us back in time'', Trixie said with enthusiasm. Twilight's pupils shrank, a nervous smile formed on her face, Starlight noticed beads of sweat running down her forehead. Twilight Sparkle talked through scared, gritting teeth.
'' Starlight Glimmer, can I speak to you for a second'', Twilight enveloped Starlight in a magenta glow. When Twilight was sure Trixie was out of earshot, the alicorn's face looked sad, she looked into Starlight's eyes as she spoke.
''Starlight, I respect you but please tell me that Trixie is lying''. Starlight sat in front of her friend, she tried to reason with Twilight and a little part of herself.
''I know, I have not had the best track record with time travel, but its just one simple spell. I promise you I will keep an eye on Trixie while we're there, but I want to try''. Starlight was surprised to see Twilight's purple hooves wrapped around her, Twilight had tears in her eyes as she whispered in Starlight's ear.
''Okay, I know that I can trust you, Starlight Glimmer''. Twilight pulled away, wiping a tear from her eye. Starlight turned to walk back to Trixie, she looked back at the alicorn, Twilight nodded, motioning her forward with her hoof.
Starlight picked up the scroll with her magic, she closed her eyes while trying to focus, small rings formed around Starlight's magical glow, finishing with a ball of magic at the tip of her horn. Although in an obvious struggle, Starlight tried to communicate with her friend.
''Trixie, grab my hoof, now!''. The blue unicorn moved to Starlight's side almost immediately with a concerned look on her face.
'' Are you sure, Starlight, you look like your in pain''. Starlight winced as the magic ball started to cover her.
''No problem, but Trix, if you don't grab my hoof right now, you will be staying here". Trixie put her hoof on Starlight's outstretched hoof, Starlight tensed a little as the ball got big enough to envelop two ponies. In one big ball of magic, the two unicorns were gone.
Twilight was sitting on the hard castle floor as she watched her former student and former rival disappear. She sat in silence before speaking in a soft voice.
'' I do trust you, Starlight. Trixie on the other hand, I know she is a better pony but she is still as reckless as ever, I hope you two, and Equestria, come back in one piece''.
Thudding to the ground, Starlight and Trixie land on the road to Starlight's hometown. Starlight slowly stands up, Trixie shortly following, Trixie looks around before bombarding Starlight questions.
'' Hey, Starlight, do you thing it worked? are we back in time? where are we? are we going to miss it?''. Starlight looked startled as she tried to prosses the questions, finally she found all the answers.
'' First, yes it did because if it failed we would be in Ponyville. Second, yes we are for previously answered reasons. Third, no, missing it is impossible considering that I set us back exactly five minutes before the event and Sire's Hollow is right there''. Starlight pointed to a small town right in front of them.
Starlight and Trixie waited the required amount of time before the two unicorn mares were witnessing the scene that Starlight had seen over a million times in her mind.
Trixie felt bad for the younger Starlight, knowing what that last moment with Sunburst would lead to, a sad Starlight for years to come. Trixie's ears flatted against her head, they may not have met at this point of time, but younger Starlight was still her friend. Without realizing it, Trixie's horn started to glow.
Starlight looked to her friend, her pupils shrank as she tried to stop Trixie.
''Trixie no!!''. Starlight yelled, but she was to late. Trixie was crying as she whispered.
''I'm sorry Starlight Glimmer". With that, Trixie cried out, sending a beam of magic out of her horn, hitting young Sunburst before he could save filly Starlight and earn his cutie mark.
A huge blast hit the two mares as Trixie gets introduced the hands of fate and time.
The two unicorns start to fall to the ground once more, right before they hit the ground, Starlight mustered up her remaining energy from the time spell to levitate her and her friend. As their hooves descended on the soft grass below, Starlight gazed around at her surroundings.
''I don't see anything, but I feel like we're close to Ponyville, let's go''. Starlight looked back at Trixie, only to see the other pony sitting on the ground looking at her hooves. Starlight walked over and sat down next to her, she shot a glance at Trixie before looking down at her own hooves.
''Trixie? Are you ok?''. Trixie turned away from Starlight Glimmer, asking a question that was on both of their minds.
''Starlight, where are we, what did I do''. Trixie looked at her friend with sad eyes. Starlight did yet another scan of everything around her, nodding her head to assure herself.
''We are exactly when we were when we left Twilight's castle, we are also just outside of Ponyville''. Starlight lifted Trixie to her hooves with her magic. She then gestured toward Ponyville as sign for Trixie to follow her, the blue unicorn quickly understood and followed the other mare.
''I need to know where this timeline stands, so the first stop is Twilight's castle, witch, by the way, I know is there because the girls met me after the castle was created, so no change there''. Starlight Started walking into Ponyville's threshold as her friend followed behind her.
Starlight knocked on the door to the huge castle, after waiting for a couple of minutes, a high pitched voice of a mare approached the door.
''I'll get it!!''. The door opened to reveal a familiar pink earth pony, she had a smile on her face as she looked at the two ponies. Starlight tried to break the silence.
''Hi, we were wondering if Twilight was here, would she happen to be around?''. The pink pony gave her a hard questioning stare before having a look of realization on her face, which quickly dissolved into that big grin again, she walked back inside.
''Twilight!!! Trixie and some other unicorn are here to see you!!!''. She hopped back into the castle as another pony came outside, this time it was Twilight, she glanced at Trixie then at Starlight before speaking.
''Hello, Trixie, who's this?''. Trixie looked at Starlight for her to say something, witch she did.
''Hi, I'm Starlight Glimmer'' Starlight smiled at the alicorn. Twilight put a hoof to her chin in thought, her smile quickly returned.
''I know you, it's been quite a while, Starlight''. Twilight reached out her hoof in greeting, surprised, Starlight took the princess's hoof. Starlight looked at Trixie, her friend stared back with an equal amount of confusion on her face. Twilight looked at Trixie with a smile, although Starlight could sense the suspicion radiating off of the purple mare.
''Trixie, how do you two know each other''. Starlight searched her mind for an logical answer, she knew that there was no way to tell Twilight her truth. So, as much as she didn't want to, Starlight lied.
''Well, I was in Canterlot when I ran into her after her magic show, we hit it off right away, started to talk and quickly became friends.. so do you two know each other''. Twilight looked at Pinkie Pie, who was sitting beside the alicorn with a smile as she looked back at Twilight, her eyes growing slightly wider as she started to quickly explain.
'' You see, after about one month after Twilight here moved to Ponyville, Trixie came to this town and was all like, ' I am the best unicorn ever, no one is better than I, The Great and Powerful Trixie'. After Twilight Sparkle beat her at her game by vanquishing an ursa minor, she ran out of Ponyville. Half a year later, she came back with a bad amulet called the 'alicorn amulet', witch is totally hidden now, but then she took over all of Ponyville and enslaved every one in town, then she apologised and ran away again''.
Trixie blushed a little as Pinkie finished her story, Starlight averted her eyes to Trixie with amusement at the pink earth pony's details of the events of her friend's past. Starlight knew she had to seem normal, but she needed to know how this Twilight knew her, so she tried to be as casual as possible.
'' While it is great to see you Twilight, I have something I need to talk to you about, alone'' Starlight looked over to Trixie only to receive a look of both confusion and hurt. Twilight Sparkle nodded as she gestured inside her castle.
''Come in whenever your ready, I'll be in the throne room''. Starlight waved.
''I'll be right there'' Once Twilight and Pinkie were inside the crystal building Starlight once again met the hurt eyes of her friend, she tried to find the right way to explain to Trixie.
'' I'm sorry Trix, but I need to talk to Twilight by myself. After what happened in Sires Hollow a few minutes ago.. I- I would rather you not- lose control again. It could get both of us into deep trouble''. Trixie seemed to understand where Starlight was coming from, she gave a half genuine smile as she responded.
'' It's ok Starlight, I get it, go on ahead, I will wait right here for you''. Starlight could see that she still had not fully covered her friend's concerns , she wanted to say something, but she turned around into the Princess's castle. Leaving Trixie on the castle doorstep.
Princess Twilight was sitting on her throne. Her posture was that of which would make Celestia proud, Twilight's mane was neatly set upon her shoulder, as always, she also had a calm yet determined look in her eyes. Starlight walked toward her alternant friend, questions starting to rise in her mind.
Is this Twilight any different than her Twilight? What changes could have happened in the absence of her past self? Most importantly, How does Twilight know her? The unicorn kept walking as she tried to wrack her brain for answers. Starlight was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she slammed into Twilight who was coming over to her. Starlight panicked as she rushed to help the princess.
''Oh my gosh, I am so, so sorry Twilight, I was so into my own head that I lost track of reality. Are you ok?''. Starlight reached out her hoof for the alicorn, who took it with a smile.
'' I'm ok Starlight, I get like that sometimes too''. Twilight shook out her wings for any dust as she looked to Starlight.
'' What's up?''. Starlight got stiff, she didn't want to lie to Twilight but it was the only way to answer her biggest question.
'' I bumped my head on a... pole, and I was wondering, I mean.. I kind of forgot about certain aspects, Trixie, being my friend reminded me that you were my friend. I was just wondering if you could fill me in on how we met''. The violet mare looked taken aback as she nodded her head, readying her response.
''It's kind of a short story, but, If you say so. We met around one year ago at the Equestrian magic convention, that's where I ran into you and Sunburst, we hit it off. The three of us have been hanging out ever since''. Starlight felt her chest swell with hurt, realization smashed Starlight in the heart like a ton of bricks. She started whispering to herself over and over.
''She doesn't know me, she doesn't know me, she doesn't know me''. Her cheeks were wet from her tear stained eyes. Twilight tried to reach out for her, Starlight turned around, she ran as fast as her hooves could take her.
Starlight burst through the castle doors, she let herself quietly cry as she fell to the ground. Starlight was greeted by a outstretched hoof, Trixie's hoof. Starlight was overcome by grief and anger.
'' Get away". Starlight smacked the other unicorn's hoof away as she got angrier. Trixie's worried glance turned into a look of sadness as she backed away.
''Starlight, what's wrong''. Starlight exploded with anger, tears still streaming from her eyes.
'' What's wrong!? You're what's wrong Trixie! If you had not lost control over your magic we would be at home, but nope, Trixie had to get all emotional and ruin everything!!''. Trixie tried to defend herself, but deep down she felt like Starlight had it all right, so instead, Trixie bit her lip and turned around.
'' If that is how you feel, then I bid you farewell, Starlight Glimmer'' Trixie then ran off, shedding her own set of tears. Starlight's pupils shrank as she realized what had just happened she reached out her hooves as she yelled.
'' Trixie, wait!! Please!!''. Her voice lost strength as she was able to muster out a sentence.
'' I'm the worst friend in the history of Equestria. I'm sorry'' Starlight continued to sit there with her thoughts, overwhelming sense of guilt, and her shame for ever thinking she deserved Twilight's friendship.
Starlight rubbed her eyes as she walked through town, trying to fully wake herself from last nights shallow sleep. The unicorn used the extra bits she had on her to buy a muffin from Sugarcube Corner , once she was finished, Starlight decided to do a little sightseeing. Starlight was walking past the Carousel Boutique, she suddenly felt her horn hit someponys in front of her, the impact sending her off balance and onto the earth .
''I'm sorry, I have a recent habit of bumping into..'' Starlight trailed off as she saw a flash of Purple against white when the other pony got up and flipped her mane to straiten it out. Starlight widened her eyes as she waved her hoof.
''I'm sorry Rarity, I'll be more carful, I swear'' The unicorn was surprised to look up at Rarity, smiling with her hoof reaching down to her.
''That is quite alright dear, I have a friend who often knocks me to the ground, but she means well.'' Rarity smiled as Starlight took her hoof in Raritys as the white unicorn pulled her off the ground. Rarity's eyes suddenly sparked with curiosity when Starlight finally stood up and stepped back, silently cursing at herself for saying Raritys name without thinking but to her surprise, the other pony had no suspicion in her dazzling blue eyes only curiosity as she inspected the pinkish- purple unicorn from horn to hoof. The white unicorns face brightened.
" You must be Starlight Glimmer" Starlight nodded as Rarity went on.
" So nice to finally meet you darling, Twilight just absolutely raved about you and Sunburst, and I must say you sound delightful". Rarity finished with a slight flutter of her eyelashes. Starlight dipped her head in thanks before saying her goodbyes.
" Thank-you for the compliment Rarity, but I really need to get going". She waved to Rarity before trotting away toward the park.
Starlight Glimmer watched ponies having picnics and playing in the Ponyville park, she spotted Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo playing with a blue ball near the fountain. She sight and sat down, thinking about Trixie and how her friend was only trying to help. Starlight sat and listened to the ponies talking around her, she pricked her ears when one conversation in particular caught her ears.
" What do you think happened to the pony who ran into the Everfree forest yesterday, she seemed pretty upset". Starlight didn't hear the response as her blood ran cold. Her mind was racing, what if it was Trixie, Starlight shook her head, anypony else in town was to scared to even enter the forest let alone race into it. The unicorn rose to her hooves and trotted toward the dark everfree woods, steadily hurrying into a gallop. Starlight took a deep breath as she stood at the edge of the forest, sudden fear pushing on her heart, would Trixie even want to see her after how she acted yesterday, her friend ran into the forest for a reason- probably to avoid her.
Hard determination overpowered her fear as Starlight suddenly remembered when she first met Trixie, at the Ponyville spa, their first magic show together, and when Trixie had made Twilights map disappear, in the end it had made their friendship stronger. Starlight wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, no matter what Trixie had done, and no matter how mad Starlight had been, Trixie is her best friend and she had to apologize, and keep her safe.
Trixie ran, she ran until her lungs were burning with protest for her to stop and rest. Starlights words kept swirling around in her head, Trixies mind flashed to the anger and hurt in her friends' eyes as she finally slowed to a halt, she took a few breaths to steady herself. Shame washed through her; she had been stupid to mess with time, Starlight had given her a warning from her own experience, and she ignored it.
" I suppose that 'the great and powerful' Trixie made yet another mistake" Trixie muttered to herself, bitterness and sorrow edged their way into her voice. A deep sigh escaped the unicorn before she continued her walk, keeping her lavender gaze trained on the ground, only glancing up to make sure she didn't run into anything. Trixie pricked her ears when she heard whispering not too far away, three fillies who Trixie knew were Applejack, Rarity, and kind of Rainbows little sisters on the other side of the street, muttering amongst themselves and casting curious glances at her. Trixie was about to ignore them when the orange filly pointed to a spot above Trixie's head with a mix of excitement and unease glittered in her eyes, she didn't think much of it when she whirled around to a familiar voice behind her.
" Look who decided to show her face in Ponyville again, Y'know Trixie, Twi may have forgiven you for kicking her out and enslaving the town but I on the other hoof am still a little upset'. Anger edged Rainbow Dashes voice as she flared her wings and looked suspiciously at Trixie, the rainbow-maned Pegasus trotted around Trixie until she leveled her gaze to the unicorns. Trixie tried to suppress her anger at the other pony's judgment until she realized that even Rainbows current attitude towards her was her fault, the Dash in her timeline tolerated her and even treated her with a sort of respect since the Changlings tried to take over.
" Look Rainbow Dash, I am not here to cause trouble alright?" Trixie stated dully. Rainbow folded her wings and the anger in her eyes had faded, Trixie could see it being replaced with confusion with that faint spark of suspicion still there but wavering.
" Alright, but I have my eye on you". Dash's words sounded less like an angry threat and more like she didn't want Trixie to notice her slight change of heart. Trixie thought she should go find Starlight, but then she thought back to the last time she saw her and figured that Starlight didn't want to see or talk to her, looking up ahead Trixie saw the Everfree Forest, and an idea seemed to strike her.
" The tree of harmony is tied to the of the magic in Equestria, so it should sense that something is wrong". Trixie knew that she had no influence over the elements of harmony or the tree, and that the Everfree forest is dangerous but she had to try something to set things right. Hard determination as well as fear tugged at her belly as she dashed for the Forest.
Starlight trotted through the Everfree forest, her eyes scanning the undergrowth for any sign of danger. her heart pounded in her chest; she stopped in her tracks at the sound of growling to her left, as well as the sound of approaching hoofsteps. Starlight took a small step forward, nearly falling backward when a flash of a blue coat caught her eye.
" Trixie?" The other unicorn stopped dead and turned to look at Starlight, despite the fear in her eyes, Starlight saw a glimmer of happiness slide into her friend's eyes.
" Starlight, what are you-". She started before a loud howl interrupted her and three big Timberwolves stepped into the clearing, growling fiercely when they saw the two mares. Panic started to flood into Trixie's eyes as the biggest of the tree leaped at her, she closed her eyes tight as the creature got closer. Loud shrieking filled the area as the huge wolf was hit with a blast of magic and exploded into a pile of sticks at Trixie's hooves, she opened her eyes to see Starlight Glimmer stand in front of her, her horn emitting a fierce turquoise glow as a fire lit in her eyes.
" No creature tries to hurt my best friend, so I suggest that you wolves leave, unless you want to be next". Fear showed in the Timberwolves eyes as Starlight's horn grew brighter, the two remaining wolves dashed back into the depths of the forest, their shrieks echoing through the forest until it fell eerily silent. Trixie visibly relaxed as she sat on the forest floor, her eyes meeting Starlight's, fear for her friend sent anger pulsing through her heart.
" Why in Celestia's name would you come out to the Everfree forest all by yourself!" she paused, her voice growing softer.
" You scared me, Trix". Trixie's gaze seemed to hold almost every emotion as she gazed at Starlight, Trixie looked back down at her hooves before speaking.
" I wanted to fix things; I thought that the Elements of harmony may be able to help. Starlight... I don't want to disappoint you, because I changed our lives without thinking. I'm sorry Starlight". Starlight felt her anger melt away as she looked at her friend.
" I'm the one who cast the spell, I should have trusted my better instinct and listened to Twilight, but no matter what you did, I should never have yelled at you. I'm sorry too". Starlight walked over to Trixie and leaned in to hug her, grateful when she returned the favor. Starlight held out a hoof.
" Let's go set things straight, together". Trixie gave a determined nod and took Starlight's outstretched hoof. They walked with each other back through town to Twilights castle, standing right where they first landed. Igniting her horn once again, Starlight focused as hard as she could, making sure to put a hoof on Trixies side, she gave a final push and the two ponies disappeared with a flash.
Starlight and Trixie appeared at the entrance to Siers Hollow, the two mares gave each other a silent nod before Starlight led the way to the window outside the house. Trixie stared in as the stack of books began to topple over, young Starlight looking up in fear before Sunburst caught the books with his magic, the young colt stood there for a second before a flash on his flank indicated has cutie mark. Trixie looked over to Starlight as she gazed past the young Sunburst at her past self as Sunburst burst through the front door, leaving the young filly alone. Sadness glimmered in Starlights eyes as she looked at her young self-sitting by herself, Trixie nudged her slightly and Starlight looked back at her with happiness and grief mingled together, however Trixie was happy to see the sadness in her friends' eyes begin to fade. Starlight put her hoof around Trixie.
" Now she can meet her great and powerful friend". Trixie nodded; another flash of light obscured their vision as Trixie and Starlight landed painfully on the hard floor of Twilights castle. Starlight stood up and took a deep breath, scanning the room as if to be sure they were back where they belonged. The sound of somepony running caught their attention and Twilight burst through the doors and slowed her pace as she approached her former student, greeting her with a warm embrace.
" Thank Equestria you two are all right". Starlight saw relief pool into Twilights violet eyes as the alicorn broke away and gave her and Trixie a nod. Starlight suddenly got the feeling that the princess somehow knew of their misadventures, Twilight gave Starlight a smaller nod, as if she could read the look of understanding Starlight had in her eyes. Starlight Glimmer looked around the room, First at Twilight, her friend, and the first pony to take a chance on her, then at Trixie, her best friend and she thought of how even if things had not gone according to plan, she was very happy with her life as it is now.
