Disclaimer: I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic or the characters in the show, and the OC Characters Carnival Cat and Sludge created by sand-josieph and Malice created by Kayla-Hiwatari

Chapter 4 – Showmanship and Enthusiasm

After the first battle against the Changeling Army and Cat's transformation, the group stopped to have a bit of rest. They were not far from Galloping Gorge now. Cat was getting used to her new looks as her understanding about the magic of friendship made this happen. Then after a few minutes they walked on. They were approaching the end of the forest.

"Trixie, Trixie." The group heard a voice.

"What was that?" asked Scootaloo. Then a dark magical mist appeared in front of them.

"It must be both Chrysalis and Malice's doing. They are onto us again," explained Twilight.

"Actually it is calling for me," added Trixie. "This must be my test."

"Be careful," said Spike as she walked towards the mist. The female voice spoke to her.

"The Great and Powerful Trixie. The unicorn with so much passion with magic, and yet still second best."

"Be careful Trixie," warned Discord. "These are illusions, you must avoid the upcoming temptations that Malice and Chrysalis throw at you."

"I will." She replied.

"I am," replied Trixie. "Since I apologized to everyone for what I did to Ponyville and Twilight with the power of the Alicorn Amulet, I became friends with her and the others since then."

"Is that so? Surely you want to be the most powerful and magical pony in all of Ponyville? You could even be the powerful and beautiful crystal pony in the Crystal Empire, or even be the most powerful alicorn in all of Equestria. Everyone will bow before you and even forget that miserable Twilight Sparkle, and all her so called kindness and magic." And it showed illusions of her in different events, including what she would have looked like in the Crystal Empire.

"How dare you speak about Twilight like that! In fact I, the Great and Powerful Trixie, am not falling for these illusions," snapped Trixie. "Twilight might be better at magic than me and we both have different ways of using magic. But I have learned that although we are different, I accepted that she is the best magical pony in all of Equestria and I have showed my gratitude to her for being my friend and I am honoured to be her ally along with her friends. And that is what showmanship is all about." Then she used her magic to make the illusions disappear.

"Wow Trixie, I can't believe you stood up for me like that," commented Twilight. "You are a great friend and a good unicorn magician. You now possess the spirit of showmanship."

"Thank you Twilight," said Trixie. "I am honoured to call you my friend. You and your friends can help me in my travelling magic show sometime."

"It will be our pleasure," added Flash. Then they walked on. Now they have gained five spirits of the New Elements of Harmony. They approached a meadow, near the bridge over the Gorge. Then Malice's evil magic turned the flowers and creatures into mindless monsters.

"They are at it again," said Cat. "How do we get out of this one?" Then surprisingly, Sweetie Belle jumped in front of them.

"I know," she replied enthusiastically. "I'll sing them a song. That's what Fluttershy would have wanted since she can talk to animals and plants, now I have to do the same."

"Sweetie Belle wait! It might be dangerous!" cried Twilight, but Sweetie Belle walked up to the creatures. "Poor things, you must be awakened by that evil alicorn's control. I'll sing to make you sleep."

"Hope she sings in tune, when she sings she sometimes goes off key." explained Apple Bloom.

"Don't worry," added Flash, "She'll be fine and we should trust her." Sweetie Belle remembered the lullaby that Fluttershy sang to her and the Crusaders stayed at her house for a sleepover.

Hush now! Quiet now!

It's time to lay your sleepy head!

Said hush now! Quiet now!

It's time to go to bed!

Driftin' (driftin') off to sleep!

Exciting day behind you!

Driftin' (driftin') off to sleep!

Let the joy of dreamland find you!

Then when she sang again at a much slower speed and sang the last note, she sang like an angel.

Hush now, quiet now,

It's time to lay your sleepy head

Said hush now, quiet now,

It's time to go to bed

Hush now, quiet now

It's time to lay your sleepy head

Hush now, quiet now

It's time to go to bed

And with her angelic voice it freed the flowers and animals out of the trance, and they were sent off to sleep. Sludge was moved by her song and had twinkles in her red eyes. "That was beautiful Sweetie Belle, look at your cutie mark," said Cat admiringly. Sweetie Belle was filled with joy when she saw her new discovered cutie mark, a golden bell tied with a pink ribbon and a couple of pink musical notes.

"Not only that you have the spirit of enthusiasm, am I right Twilight?" asked Discord.

"Right, now we have found six spirits of the New Elements of Harmony."

"Only two more to go! Let's get moving!" said Scootaloo, and they walked up to the bridge.