THE TEACHER, THE SORCERESS, AND THE WONDERBOLT

Chapter 11: On the Banks of the Rubicon

Celestia looked at her faithful student in askance. “Are you sure, Twilight? Luna and I don't mind waiting.”

“I'm sure, Princess,” Twilight relied. “Trixie and I will only be a moment or two at most. We're just picking up something from Rarity, then heading straight back to the library.” The white alicorn nodded and she parted ways, leading Luna, Spitfire, and a somewhat visibly shaken Cheerilee to the tree-turned-building under her own bubble protecting them from the elements. She had beamed and congratulated Twilight for creating such a unique and useful spell in the few hours in between lunch and the time they left for her class, and insisted she teach it to her.

Twilight watched her with adoration in her eyes for a moment before turning to her companion. “Ready, Trixie?”

With an affected sniff, the azure mare turned her nose up. “Trixie is more than ready to retrieve Abracadabra. She finds it difficult to come up with new acts without her best audience member.”

It was just a short walk from there to the Carousel Boutique, but it was by necessity, done in silence. The rain had yet to let up, and the patter of it on Twilight's shield above them made quite a racket. Their arrival to the Boutique was met with silence. “Rarity? Are you in?” Twilight's voice was swallowed up by the oppressive quiet, and the patter of rain falling on the roof.

“Perhaps we should come back later, Twilight?” she whispered. “Trixie doesn't think anypony is home,” Indeed, between the dead silence, and the spotlessly clean floor room, it did not appear as if anyone was at home.

Twilight nodded in agreement and turned to leave, but was stopped by a muffled thump coming from upstairs. “What was that?”

The thump was followed by the sound of a slamming door, and the tread of running hooves on the stairs coming closer. The mystery of the sounds were solved as a disheveled Rarity calmly trotted around the corner. Her mane and tail were in disarray, and a light sheen of sweat slicked down her coat.

“Rarity, are you alright?” Twilight asked. “You look like you just ran a thirty-second kilotrot.”

The white unicorn threw back her mane to get it out of her eyes, inadvertently revealing a small mark on her neck. “Of course I am, Darling. I was just... uh, running down the stairs so you wouldn't leave without what you came to get” She grinned nervously at her friend, putting lie her calming words. It didn't help any that she was breathing heavily.

“Are you sure? You have a bruise right here,” Twilight pointed out with her hoof, almost, but not quite touching the spot.

“What?” she asked, trying, and failing to see said bruise. “Oh, Twilight. You worry too much. I just... hit myself. On the corner wall. Upstairs.” Her eyes lit up, making a connection. “That was that first thump you heard. It's nothing to worry about, really.”

Twilight examined the bruise closer. “Are you sure? It looks more like a bite mark than a bruise from hitting a corner wall.”

Rarity brushed it aside by covering the spot with her mane again. “It's fine, darling. Now, you're here for Miss Abracadabra, correct?” She led them over to the coffee table in the center of the room.

Twilight nodded, but Trixie answered, “Quite so, Miss Rarity. Trixie trusts that she is ready?”

The white unicorn sat them down on the sofa, but remained standing before them. “But, of course! When Rarity says it will be done by a certain time, you may rely on it being done by then.” Her audience mused at her use of Trixie's affectation, but remained silent. Her horn glowed its pale blue aura as she floated a large, purple silk bag over to them, and set it down upright on the table before them.

With a showmare's flourish, she said, “I am proud to present to you, the astonishing Abracadabra!” The drawstring at the top loosened, allowing the bag to fall around its contents.

Trixie gasped which caused Rarity some consternation. The doll looked exactly as it did the day she had brought it home from the party. The velvet was intact once more, and brought to it's former fuzzy glory. The navy mane and tail were replaced with new yarn, and even the button eyes were shinier than they had been in years. The wooden wand had been sanded and repainted, but it was the star on top that drew the most attention. The wooden adornment had been replaced with a six-pointed star-shaped amethyst almost the size of her hoof.

Tears could be seen forming in Trixie's eyes, and Rarity quickly explained, “If you don't like the new star, I saved the original, and can pop it back on for you in a jiffy.”

Trixie levitated the doll to her and hugged it close. “She's beautiful. Trixie's mother would be pleased with your work,” she answered.

The dressmaker breathed a sigh of relief. “The old star is still in the bag, and has been refinished as well, just in case you ever want to change them out. I-”

She fell silent as Trixie enveloped her in a tight hug. “Thank you, Miss Rarity. Trixie cannot repay you for this.”

An affectionate smile touched her lips as she returned the embrace. “You're quite welcome, Trixie.

(\ /)
( . .)
*(")(")

Applejack peeked around the corner, looking all around. “They gone?”

Rarity came up and gave her a peck on the cheek, causing her to blush. “Yes dear, they're gone.” She rubbed her cheek against her lover's, savoring the musk of her hard-earned sweat, mixed with the damp odor she had acquired on her run to the boutique through the pouring rain. Rarity always tried her best to project an aura of a genteel lady, but the earthy smell and rippling muscles of the farmer always made the unicorn weak in the knees.

Returning the nuzzle, the orange earth pony breathed into her perfumed Lady's ear, causing her to shiver delightfully. “Ah'm gonna have to step up mah game, if'n Ah'm gonna support the home team. Ya'll are gettin' too far ahead a'me.”

Rarity's horn glowed, as did Applejack's hat as the former lifted the latter and placed it gingerly on the unicorn's head, right behind the horn. “Not if I distract you first!” Not wasting a moment of the surprise attack, she dashed upstairs to her bedroom, squealing with laughter.

It took the farmer a moment to gather her wits and give chase after her. “Hey! Consarn it, get back here afore Ah have to ravage yah, agin!”

(\ /)
( . .)
*(")(")

The two ponies in the purple bubble made their way through the rain, back to the library, again, in silence; Trixie's doll safe from prying eyes in her hat. Their trip however, was interrupted by what appeared through the rain sluicing off of Twilight's bubble to be a giant rubber duck. It crossed their path, stopped, and appeared to consider them before waddling towards them. The mystery was solved when it walked into Twilight's bubble, revealing itself to be Pinkie-Pie in her rain gear. The yellow slicker covered her head to hoof, and the orange bill overhanging her face gave it the strange countenance. It didn't help that Pinkie-Pie had painted giant eyes on the sides of the hood.

“There you are! Just the pony I'm looking for!” the party pony announced.

“Pinkie-Pie? What in Equestria are you doing out in this weather?”

The pink mare grinned at her. “Silly Twilight. I just told you I was looking for you.”

Twilight shook her head in bemusement. “Well, you've found me. So, why did you want to see me? Another party, I expect. It has been a few days since your last one.”

She bent around, and pulled an envelope from her pocket The blue paper was lightly damp on one corner, but otherwise fine. “Wow, Twilight! You must be psychotic!”

Taking the envelope in her magic, Twilight asked, “You mean psychic. So what is this one for?”

Pinkie-Pie took a deep breath, and said, “It's a get to know your future filly-” She got no further, because a rainbow streak slammed into her, knocking her out of the bubble and into a rather large mud puddle. She came to rest on her back with her lips locked on to Rainbow Dash's.

Twilight and Trixie rushed over, enveloping them in the bubble once again, though it was far too late for the earth pony, or the pegasus. “Pinkie, are you alright?”

The rainbow pegasus broke the kiss, leaving pinkie to try to follow her back up. “Wowee, Dashie! That was your bestest surprise kiss, yet! You're getting really good at those!” Pinkie-Pie looked down in the mud, and noticed the invitation, now rendered unreadable. “Aw, Twilight's invitation got ruined. Good thing, I always carry extra!” She whipped out another from a different pocket, only to drop it to the mud when Rainbow Dash tackled her in a hug and nibbled at her neck. “Hee hee hee! Dashie, quit it! You- hee hee made me drop another!” she laughed out.

She finally got out from under her marefriend, and pulled a third envelope out. However, this one never even fully left the pocket before the cyan pegasus tackled her and began tickling her mercilessly. Blue envelopes exploded from the pink mare's pockets, all “coincidentally” being rolled over into the mud before anypony could rescue them. Trixie and Twilight had to jump out of the way to avoid being splashed by the two wrestling ponies. When no more envelopes were forthcoming, Rainbow Dash finally relented, leaving a wheezing, pink mare grinning on the wet ground.

Rainbow Dash stood up and swept her mane out of her eyes. “Woo! Have I got a great fillyfriend or what? I gotta tell you, there's nopony as fun as my Pinkie.”

Twilight arched an eyebrow at her. “Are you quite through assaulting her yet, Dash?”

The pegasus looked at her in surprise. “Huh? Uh, sure, Twi. She was just going to invite you to a party tomorrow night at seven. You coming?”

“I suppose so. Is it alright if I bring my guests? I wouldn't want to leave them alone with nothing to do,” she asked.

Rainbow Dash waved a hoof nonchalantly. “Oh sure. The more, the merrier. Bring all three. Spike, too.”

“Alright then. I'll see you there?” the librarian asked.

Rainbow Dash grinned at her and turned to her fillyfriend, still lying in the puddle. “Wouldn't miss it for the world. See ya!” With that, she bent down, and grabbed Pinkie-Pie's coat collar with her teeth, and started dragging the still giggling mare back to Sugarcube Corner.

They watched them until they were lost in the deluge, then Trixie turned to her companion. “Please do not take this the wrong way, Twilight, but you have some very strange friends.”

Twilight facehoofed. “Tell me about it.”

(\ /)
( . .)
*(")(")

Twilight hummed happily to herself as she bustled around the kitchen. She had never prepared a meal for quite so many ponies at once, two of them having the larger appetites of alicorns. She had decided that a warm, hearty meal was what was needed to combat the chill rain outside that continued, and looked unlikely to stop anytime soon. To that end, she reasoned that the Alfredo sauce she was stirring would go nicely with the pasta and steamed vegetables already cooling in the sink.

Cheerilee couldn't help but smile each time she caught sight of the mare, contently preparing the meal by hoof- er, horn. “You certainly seem happy. Do you like having guests over this much?”

In response, the lavender mare nodded. “I guess I'm just catching up on lost time. I always used to be such a quiet filly. I treasured peaceful solitude to the hubbub of a crowded home.” She turned to her friend who was helping her cook while Spike kept the others entertained. “It's easier to get lost in a book when it's quiet, you see. Something that's difficult to come by when you have ponies calling for your attention all the time.”

She tasted the sauce with the spoon, then put it to her lips in thought. “I suppose that's why I never really cared for the Hearth's Warming holidays; too many relatives pinching my cheeks, saying, 'isn't she just adorable in that formal red dress?'” She smacked her lips absently. “Too thick,” she mumbled to herself. “Cheerilee, could you get me the milk, please?” Twilight asked, spinning back around to the pot of sauce again. “But entertaining a crowded home filled with friends just feels... right.”

The teacher went to the icebox and pulled out the requested bottle. “Sounds like the makings of a friendship report to me. Here you go, Twi-” She stopped herself when Twilight turned around and took the bottle from her by hoof. Or at least, that was what she had intended. Frozen by the contact of their hooves touching one another, she stared into Twilight's eyes like a deer caught in headlamps.

For what felt like hours, they stood there, staring into each other's eyes. Cheerilee blushed hard enough to be noticeable, and after a moment of apparent confusion followed by sudden understanding, so did Twilight. The world around them seemed to melt away, leaving just them and their eyes.

The spell was broken, when a loud POP was heard from the stove. Twilight quickly faced the pot, stirring the spoon like mad. The bottle of milk was levitated from Cheerilee's hooves, and most of the milk poured into the sauce, immediately cooling it.

Spike stuck his head into the kitchen, saying, “If you want me to keep entertaining them any longer Twilight, I'm going to have to start in on your embarrassing stories.”

“No need, Spike!” she replied in an almost too-loud voice. “Tell them dinner is ready. Cheerilee, could you set the table for me please?” The nervous, forced grin she was wearing was enough to send them both fleeing. She served the plates, remembering at the last moment to sprinkle some crushed emeralds on Spike's. By the time she brought out all seven and set them on the table, all nervousness was gone from her smile.

(\ /)
( . .)
*(")(")

Dinner had ended hours ago, with almost no mishap. The only hitch being that Twilight had to teleport over to Sugarcube Corner to pick up some dessert, since she had forgotten to do so earlier. She had left with a “Wait here, I was in such a hurry, that I forgot to have Spike put 'get dessert' on the master checklist this morning. I'll be right back,” and was and back again before the awkward silence could stretch on long enough for anypony to attempt conversation.

And now, as she soaked in the tub of warm water washing away the day's tension, flower petals floating around her; Cheerilee pulled out her hooves and looked at them again for what felt like the millionth time. These hooves. These were the ones that held hers. She could almost see those lavender hooves in hers once again. The teacher closed her eyes and smiled, bringing them to her face. She blushed again, but not from the heat of the scented water.

We looked into each other's eyes! There's something there, I know it! Berry's right. I still have a chance! She slid down, submerging herself in the water languorously up to her eyes. She opened them with a suddenly serious expression. I have to tell her. Before one of the others can, I must tell her how I feel! She raised her hoof to the heavens as she stood on her hind legs. I swear on all that is holy, she will know how I feel! And I know just how to do it!

(\ /)
( . .)
*(")(")

As Spitfire put the last dish in the cabinet distractedly, she ruminated on the day's events, specifically, the early morning events in the forest. I still can't believe that Twilight is so forgiving. Even after betraying her trust so thoroughly, she still wants to be friends. I want to be worthy of that trust. I have to make it up to her. But how? Season tickets to the Wonderbolt's shows? Nah, she's far too sedentary for that. Perhaps a rare book? Hmmm...

As she considered the possibilities. Plans were formulated, modified, and dropped in favor of others, which were also modified. Finally, a course of action was decided upon, and she started the first phase immediately. The yellow pegasus perused the books in the main library section, taking note of the titles and genres.

(\ /)
( . .)
*(")(")

Trixie's magical aura settled the extra thick quilt onto the floor, making sure all the wrinkles were smoothed out. Nearly a dozen pillows were floated to the head of the pallet by a purple telekinetic aura. The showmare looked over to her hostess and happily sighed. I need to do something. She's done so much for me, and all I do is take from her. She's given me back my home, my connections to my past, and most importantly, her friendship when I needed it most.

The azure mare whisked several blankets out of the closet where they were stored during the day, and unfolded them over the pallet. I need to show her how much I appreciate all she's done for me. Something that only I can do. Something that every time she sees it, she's reminded of me and how much I lo- She stopped what she was doing and considered her thoughts carefully. Do I love her? A flutter in her chest answered her when she looked at the lavender mare, who was closing the windows for the night. She felt like she could just stare at her forever and be content. The thought that she may not get to do that scared her more than the time the Ursa Minor roared in her face, rooting her to the spot.

Yes, this is love. Just thinking that words sent a thrill down her spine. I love her. I. Love. Twilight Sparkle. Yes, that feels right. She closed her eyes and nodded to herself in determination. Which brings me back to the original question: How do I show her that? Hmmm... Ah! I got it! I even have have everything I need! I'll just have to ask Miss Rarity to procure me some more of those white roses. Paid for by me this time, of course. I think I can manage that much. Trixie couldn't help the smile that spread across her face.

Nor could Twilight miss it and not be curious about it. “What's got you so happy all of a sudden, Trixie?”

The azure unicorn was shocked from her contemplations, nearly jumping at the question, and raising a hoof to her chest. “Ah! Twilight! You startled Trixie.” She brought the hoof back down again, and tried to not look as nervous as she felt. “Trixie is just... um, thinking of how happy she is since you became her friend. Yes, that's it!”

Twilight arched an eyebrow at her in curiosity, but said nothing about the obvious untruth. “Well, you ready for bed, yet?”

Just then, Cheerilee and Spitfire came in with fire in their eyes, and grins on their faces. “Ready for bed, Twilight? It's been a long day, after all.”

The lavender mare looked at them inquiringly. “What is it with everypony tonight? You're all smiling like you just won the Canterlot lottery, and are planning on how to spend your million bits.”

Spitfire waved a hoof at her dismissively. “Oh, Twilight. We're just happy to be spending so much time with a friend as good and wonderful as you.”

Trixie jumped in, saying, “Yes, see? We're all happy and proud to be able to call you friend.”

“Right,” Cheerilee added.

Twilight looked at them, unconvinced, but tired enough to want to drop it for another time. “Alright then, let's get some shuteye. As Cheerilee said, it's been a long day.”

(\ /)
( . .)
*(")(")

Twilight was enjoying her time as a full-time teacher. It didn't hurt that Princess Celestia was the headmaster, nor that all her friends filled out the ranks of the faculty. And of course, the library where she was currently watching over her students who were all intent on their research. Easily larger in hoofprint than the entirety of Ponyville, it was the largest repository of knowledge in Equestria.

“Actually, it's the largest repository of knowledge in the universe.”

The unicorn whirled at the voice, to find Nyx, the elder Nyx that is, sitting on her haunches. Her normally all-black eyes were emitting a weird smokey aura that gave her a feeling of quiet menace. Instead of the ash-gray fur and starry wings that normally covered her body, the sphinx appeared to be made out of rune-covered scrolls. Unable to tear her eyes away from the large sphinx's, she stood there gaping.

“Sooth, we didst tell thee that this would be the result.” Luna stepped out from the shadows sadly shaking her head. “She is not ready to behold thy true countenance.”

Nyx looked at the Princess sadly. “Sadly, I needed to be here personally to bestow this gift. One of the rules put in place by me when I made this library to prevent its abuse. I had not counted on her innate sensitivity to magic to see me as I truly am in the dream realm.” She looked down at the unicorn, noting that her eyes had now turned entirely black as well, and were starting to emit a smokey aura. “Though in retrospect, I should have known it could happen. Will being what she help her survive it?”

The dark alicorn shook her head. “Alack, thou wouldst know better than we. We only held possession of Magic for a short time afore it was sealed avaunt for its next bearer. Certs, there hast never been one who wields it this well and with such innate talent and skill, but thine gifts are nearly a match for ourselves and our sister.” She gave a sad sigh and looked into the abyss that was now Twilight Sparkle's eyes. Luna could feel a tug on her magic, an insistent, plea for help to which she immediately responded.

Magically breaking off a piece of her consciousness and affixing it with a a magical silver cord, she let the tug pull her in. It didn't take long at all for the desperate unicorn to pull her in and grab on to the only familiar thing in a realm of unknowable knowledge. Luna reeled them back in to Twilight's dream and into the present. “Art thou feeling better, Twilight?”

Twilight closed her eyes and held her head with one hoof. “So... much... knowledge... I never knew there could be so much...”

“Prithee, tarry not on such ruminations. It would only bring thee to grief,” Luna said.

Twilight looked up at Nyx, able to see her now, without flinching. The unicorn's eyes turned all black again as she regarded the sphinx. “You... were the cub, weren't you?”

With a nod, she replied, “I'm sorry for the deception, Twilight. I had wanted to meet you for so long, but The Sisters were... reluctant to do so. I'm afraid I did them a disservice long ago, but they have at last forgiven me for it.”

The unicorn turned to Luna and regarded her with those same eyes. “And you put her up to that? Why?”

Luna looked away in shame. “We... we didst thee a disservice as well. We hath promised another that we wouldst not be the one to reveal our part in the sad act of indiscretion, but rest assured that the matter hath been resolved.” She pawed at the ground nervously. “Pray, do not take thy friendship back. We were hoping that admission to the Library's inner circle wouldst make up for our lapse in judgment.”

Twilight considered the situation for a tense moment. “Luna, I could never stay mad at you. And all I needed from you was an apology and a promise to never do it again, whatever it was.” Luna breathed a sigh of relief as the mare turned to Nyx. “As for you, I'm not certain. I had enjoyed our talk as we walked through the forest, but a lie is not a good way to start off a friendship. Perhaps we can start over?” She held out her hoof.

The large sphinx smiled tremulously and shook her hoof. “Thank you, Twilight. Truly, you have taken your lessons in friendship to heart. If you like, I can give you your library pass now.”

Confused, the lavender mare asked, “In my dreams? How does that work? Will it be on my pillow in the morning?”

Nyx shook her massive head. “No, it is much better than a simple slip of paper. This pass, cannot be lost, stolen, nor faked.” With that, she placed one titanic paw over the pony's head, covering it completely except for the horn whose tip just barely peeked between the toes. There was a wave of arcane energies felt by all three, and a blissfully warm sensation inundated through Twilight, centering on her horn.

The paw was removed, and a glowing glyph could be plainly seen on her forehead, spiraling up the horn. Twilight looked at the other two, noting that they too, wore the glyph. Crossing her eyes in order to look up at her own horn, she said, “This is going to be difficult to explain.”

“Actually, if you recall, we had those marks before you gained your own,” Nyx rebutted. “You never saw them then, nor will others see yours now. Only a bearer of the mark can see the mark on others.” She grinned. “A sort of, takes one to know one, kind of deal.”

Twilight grinned back. “I suppose our old deal of 'one magic secret for one riddle' won't work anymore.”

“Nonsense!” the sphinx said. “I learned more from talking to you than I have in the past century. At least.” She leaned close and winked at the pony. “Besides, I'm just filled with riddles I want to share. Things like, oh say...”

Only one color, but not one size,
Stuck at the bottom, yet easily flies,
Present in sun, but not in rain,
Doing no harm, and feeling no pain.

Author's Notes:

Not a lot of action, this time around, but plenty of character development (I hope). The chapter title is rather significant this time around, rather than just being something that happens in the chapter. Can you guess its meaning and significance? Everything but Nyx and the arrangement of the words belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust. And no, I refuse to make a “all your base” joke. Waaayyy too passe.