Twilight was currently testing her magic with Spike while Luna watched.
"Come on Twilight." Encouraged Spike.
"You can do it." Said Luna.
"Okay." Said Twilight. "Here goes."
She then used her magic to give Spike a moustache. Luna clapped.
"Ha. You did it. Growing magic that's number twenty-five." Said Spike. "Twenty-five different types of tricks and counting." He told her. "And I think this is the best trick so far. Hello, Rarity. What's that? Aw it's nothing just my awesome mustache."
"You know that's never gonna work." Said Luna.
"Yeah." Agreed Twilight. "Sorry Romeo, as attractive and enticing as you look, it's just for practice and it's gotta go." Twilight then used her magic to make the moustache vanish.
"Wait." Said Spike. "Aw rats."
Twilight and Luna just laughed.
Later the three were in town.
"Twenty-five Twilight. Twenty-five different kinds of tricks and counting." Said Spike. "I thought unicorns were only supposed to have a little magic that matches their special talents."
"True for ponies whose talents are for things like cooking or singing or math." Said Twilight. "But what if a unicorn's special talent is magic?"
"Like you Twilight." Said Luna. "And you know a ton of magic."
"Oh you guys stop." Said Twilight. "I'm sure there are lots of ponies right here in Ponyville that know just as much magic as me."
"Are you kidding?" Asked Spike. "I don't think there's another unicorn in all of Equestria with your kind of ability Twilight."
Suddenly two unicorn colts named Snips and Snails came running by. They ran so fast that they accidentally carried Spike away.
"Gangway." Said Snails. "Coming through."
"Snips, Snails." Said Spike. What's going on?"
"Haven't you heard?" Asked Snails. "There's a new unicorn in town."
"There is?" Asked Luna.
"Yeah." Said Snips. "They say she's got more magical powers than any other unicorn ever."
"Really?" Said Twilight looking down.
"No way." Said Luna. "That honor goes to Twilight."
Twilight smiled and blushed as this cheered her up. "Where is this unicorn?"
"She's in town square." Said Snails. "Come on."
"Yeah." Said Snips. "Come on."
The three friends followed.
Soon they were at town square and there was a stage there. They went into the crowd and met up with the others.
"Come one. Come all." Said a voice. "Come and witness the amazing magic of the Great and Powerful Trixie." A few small fireworks went off and then a blue unicorn with a white mane and tail, wearing a wizard's hat and robe, who's cutie mark was a crescent moon with a magic wand next to it, appeared on stage. Twilight looked nervous upon seeing her.
"Watch in awe as the Great and Powerful Trixie performs the most spectacular feats of magic ever witnessed by pony eyes." The unicorn now known as Trixie said.
"Is she for real?" Asked Luna.
"My, my, my." Said Rarity. "What boasting."
"C'mon." Said Spike. "Nopony's as magical as Twi, Twi, Twi." He noticed Rarity. "Hey Rarity I-uh moustache." He went off.
"There's nothing wrong with being talented is there?" Asked Twilight.
"Nothing at all." Said Applejack. "Accept when someone goes around showing it off like a school filly with fancy new ribbons."
Rarity agreed. "Just because one has the ability to perform lots of magic does not make one better than the rest of us."
"Especially when ya got me around being better than the rest of us." Said Rainbow, earing a glare from AJ. She laughed nervously "Uh I mean yeah, magic shmagic. Boo."
Trixie was not intimidated. "Well, well, well. It seems we have some neigh sayers in the audience." She said. "Who is so ignorant as to challenge the magical ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie?" She asked. "Do they not know that they're in the presence of the most magical unicorn in all of Equestria?"
"Just who does she think she is?" Asked Rarity.
"The most magical unicorn in all of Equestria, that's who." Said Luna annoyed. "But I don't buy it."
"Yeah." Said Spike. "Since we all know Twilight here is-" But Twilight cut him off.
"Spike shh." She pulled him out of the crowd. Luna followed.
"What's wrong?" Asked Spike.
"You seem nervous about something." Said Luna.
"You see the way they reacted to Trixie?" Twilight reminded them. "I don't want anyone thinking I'm a show off."
"They wouldn't think that." Said Luna. "We know you Twilight and we know you're not a show off."
Dash then flew up to the stage. "So, "Great and Powerful Trixie."" She said. "What makes you think you're so awesome anyway?"
"Heh, why only the Great and Powerful Trixie has magic strong enough to vanquish the dreaded Ursa Major." Claimed Trixie.
The audience was astounded as fireworks showing Trixie fighting some kind of bear monster, went off.
"What?" Said Snips
"No way." Said Snails.
"When all hope was lost the ponies of Hoofington had no one to turn to." Said Trixie. "But the Great and Powerful Trixie stepped in and with her awesome magic vanquished the Ursa Major and sent it back to its cave deep within the Everfree Forest." She claimed.
"Sweet."
"That settles it." Said Snips.
"Trixie truly is the most talented, the most magical, the most awesome unicorn in Ponyville." Said Snails.
"No in all of Equestria." Said Snips.
Spike didn't buy it. "How do you know?" He asked. "You weren't there and besides Twilight- Mmph, mm, mmph." But before he could finish Twilight literally zipped his mouth shut with magic. Much to Luna's shock.
Trixie laughed. "It's true my enthusiastic little admirers." She claimed. "Trixie is most certainly the best in Ponyville."
Everyone was still not convinced.
"Don't believe in the Great and Powerful Trixie?" Trixie chuckled. "Well then, I hereby challenge you Ponyvillians." Said Trixie. "Anything you can do I can do better." She claimed. "Any takers? Anyone, hmm?" She asked. "Or is Trixie destined to be the greatest equine who has ever lived?"
Spike unzipped his lip and began begging Twilight. "Please. She's unbearable." He begged. "You gotta show her, you just gotta."
Twilight still wouldn't. "There's no way I'm going to use my magic now Spike." Said Twilight. "Especially since Trixie and I-"
But before Twilight could finish Trixie spoke up. "Hmm. How about, you?" She seemingly pointed a hoof at Twilight who just gulped.
"Well how about it?" Asked Trixie. "Is there anything you can do that the Great and Powerful Trixie can't?"
Twilight looked nervous thinking she was being challenged. But as it turns out Trixie was pointing at AJ. "Well little hayseed?"
Applejack decided she'd had enough of Trixie. "That's it, I can't stand for this no more." She went on stage.
"You show her AJ." Cheered Spike.
"Give her a piece of your mind." Said Luna.
"Can your magical powers do this?" Applejack then tied a lasso around her tail and began doing tricks with it. She even lassoed an apple into her mouth and ate it.
The audience cheered.
"Top that missy." Challenged AJ.
"Only a little talent." Said Trixie. "Watch and be amazed by the magic of Trixie." Trixie then began using her magic to make the lasso move like a snake which seemed to mesmerize AJ. The lasso then wrapped around Applejack's legs and also grabbed an apple and stuffed it in her mouth.
The audience cheered and laughed.
Applejack then hopped off the stage. Luna walked up to her.
"Applejack." Said Luna as she took the apple out of her mouth and untied her legs.
"Thanks Luna." Said AJ.
"Once again the Great and Powerful Trixie prevails." Said Trixie.
Dash then flew up to her. "There's no need to go strutting around showing off like that."
"Oh."
"That's my job." Claimed Dash.
Dash then flew fast into a wind mill in which she spun around a little, then went high up into the sky right through some clouds, then paused right in front of the sun. She grinned before flying back through the holes in the clouds, which made water come out of them, she flew back into the wind mill spun some more before coming back on stage with a rainbow on top of her.
"They don't call me Rainbow and Dash, for nothing."
The audience cheered but Trixie was unfazed. "When Trixie is through with you, the only thing they'll call you is loser." Trixie then used her magic to make the rainbow engulf Dash and twirl her around in a twister.
"Woah, woah, woaaaah." Dash said before it stopped feeling sick. "I think I'm gonna be sick."
"Seems like anypony with a dash of good sense would think twice about messing with the Great Trixie." She then created a little cloud which zapped Dash with lightning.
"OW!"
The audience laughed.
"What we need is another unicorn to challenge her." Said Spike. "Someone with some magic of her own."
"Yeah. You two put in a good effort, but if you wanna beat magic you gotta have magic." Luna explained. "You know, fight fire with fire. Or in this case, fight a unicorn with another unicorn."
"Yeah." Agreed Dash. "A unicorn to show this unicorn who's boss."
"A real unicorn to unicorn tussle." Said AJ.
Twilight still wasn't sure. "Uh-" But then Rarity walked up.
"Enough, enough all of you." Said Rarity. "I take your hint but Rarity is above such nonsense." She said.
"Well actually Rarity we were talking about-" But Rarity cut Luna off.
"Rainbow Dash and Applejack may behave like ruffians, but Rarity conducts herself with beauty and grace."
"Ooh, what's the matter?" Asked Trixie in a mocking way. "Afraid you'll get a hair out of place in that rat's nest you call a mane?"
That was the last straw for Rarity. "Oh. It. Is. On."
Rarity walked onto the stage. "You may think you're tough with all of your so called powers." She said. "But there's more to magic than your brutish ways." She claimed. "A unicorn needs to be more than just muscle. A unicorn needs to have style." Rarity then used her magic to pull the curtain and turn it into a lovely dress.
"Ooh." The audience was impressed by this.
"A unicorn is not a unicorn without grace and beauty." Said Rarity.
Trixie then began using magic.
"Rarity won't let Trixie get the best of her." Claimed Spike. "She's strong, she's beautiful, she's-" But Spike stopped when he saw what Trixie did.
"HUH!" Everyone gasped.
"Quick. I need a mirror!" Screamed Rarity. "Get me a mirror! What did she do to my hair!? I know she did something terrible to my hair!" She yelled.
"Nothing." Said Twilight.
"It's alright." Said Luna.
"It's fine." Said Dash.
"It's gorgeous." Said AJ.
"It's green." Said Spike. This earned him glares from the others. "What?"
Rarity saw that Spike wasn't kidding. Her hair was a big, green, mess. "Ahh! No. Green hair, not green hair." Said Rarity before running off crying. "Such an awful, awful color."
"Well I never." Said a green haired pony in the crowd.
"Well Twilight guess it's up to you." Said Spike. "C'mon show her what you're made of."
"Yeah, I know you can take her." Luna encouraged
"What do you guys mean?" Asked Twilight. "I'm nothing special."
"Yes you are." Said Luna.
"You're better than her." Claimed Spike.
"I'm not better than anyone." Said Twilight.
Trixie heard the conversation. "Hah! You think you're better than the Great and Powerful Trixie?" She asked. "You think you have more magical talent? Well come on, show Trixie what you've got. Show us all." She challenged.
"Who me?" Asked Twilight nervously. "I'm just your run of the mill citizen of Ponyville." She said. "No powerful magic here. I uh, I think I hear my laundry calling. Sorry gotta go." Twilight began to run away but Trixie called to her.
"Wait." She said. Twilight stopped even more nervous than before. "You look familiar." Claimed Trixie. "Have we met before?"
"Oh no." Said Twilight. "You must have me mistaken for somepony else." She told her. "Bye now." She ran off.
Luna was curious about what Trixie said. "Twilight?"
Deciding to forget about Twilight, Trixie continued bragging. "Ha! Once again the Great and Powerful Trixie has proven herself to be the most amazing unicorn in all of Equestria." She said. "Huh was there ever any doubt?"
Later Trixie was combing her mane, when Snips and Snails came to her with a smoothie.
"Here's that oat smoothie you asked for." Said Snips. "With extra hay, just how you like it."
Trixie sipped her smoothie but noticed Snips and Snails were staring at her. "What?"
"Tell us another story Great and Powerful Trixie." Said Snips.
"Trixie is far too exhausted from performing feats beyond imagination." She said. "Begone with you until morning."
"Oh of course Great and Powerful Trixie." Said Snails
"Anything you say." Said Snips. "We're at you're beck and call."
The two then walked away. They ran into Spike.
"What are you two doing?" Spike asked.
"Just bringing the G and P T-"
"The what?" Asked Spike.
"The Great and Powerful Trixie." Said Snips. "We were just bringing her a smoothie."
"How can you fall for her lameness?" Asked Spike. "She's just a show off unlike Twilight who-"
"The Great and Powerful Trixie vanquished an Ursa Major." Said Snips. "Can your Twilight claim that?"
"Oh really?" Said Spike. "Were you guys actually there to see it?"
"Well no but-"
"But nothing." Said Spike. "The proof is in the pudding."
"Mm." Said Snails. "I like pudding."
"Look unless an Ursa Major comes waltzing up the street for Trixie to vanquish, I am not gonna believe a word she says." Said Spike. "And neither should you." He told them.
This gave Snips an idea. "An Ursa walking up the streets." He said. "Snails, you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Why is it they call it a flea market when they don't really sell fleas?" He said.
"Yeah." Said Snips before realizing. "Uh. Oh come on."
Later Spike was back at the library. Twilight was reading.
"Twilight would you put down that book and just listen to me?" Said Spike.
"Didn't you see how much they hated Trixie's bragging Spike?" Asked Twilight. "If I go out there and show off my magic I run the risk of losing them as friends."
"It's not the same thing Twilight." Said Spike. "You'd be using your magic to stand up for your friends."
"Yeah." Agreed Luna. "Remember when I dueled Nightmare Moon to help you guys get the Elements of Harmony to work again?" Luna reminded Twilight. "They didn't berate me for using my talents to the fullest there."
"That was different Luna." Said Twilight. "You had no choice and you did it to save us and Equestria, not make yourself look cool to get praise." Twilight told her. "Trixie may be a little mean but she's not a threat to Equestria. She hasn't hurt anyone either."
"Come on Twilight." Said Spike. "Any one of these tricks, even the teeniest would be enough to show up Trixie."
"I don't wanna be seen as a bragger like Trixie." Said Twilight. She then used her magic to conjure up a door and slammed it shut on Spike. He opened it.
"But you're the best." He told her.
Twilight had just about enough. "Uh, please Spike. I said no."
Spike sighed. "If that's the way you want it, then fine." He slammed the door shut. But reopened it upon realization before leaving. After Spike was gone Luna spoke.
"Twilight?" She said. "Can I tell you something?"
"Sure." Said Twilight. "What is it?"
"Well you said you're afraid to show off your magical talents because your afraid of losing your friends." Said Luna. "But I have a friend back in the human world I wanna tell you about."
"Who?"
"His name is Yusei." Said Luna. "He's like our hero and the best duelist I've ever met and in our group, as well as another Signer. But the best thing about him, is his selflessness. He's always willing to help others, even if he has to put himself on the line. And he always uses his dueling skills to help when he can and always uses his talents to the fullest to help his friends and others and never gives up. And it's not always when the world is at stake, he'll take on some jerk that's giving us a hard time. He's everyone's hero and the best."
"So what are you saying?" Asked Twilight.
"That sometimes you remind me of him." Answered Luna.
"I remind you of someone like Yusei?" Asked Twilight.
"Yeah and you shouldn't be afraid to show off your talents." Said Luna.
"Luna it's more than just that." Said Twilight.
Luna was curious. "Twilight can I ask you something?"
"What?"
"Trixie said you looked familiar to her." She said which made Twilight tensed. "Something you wanna tell me?"
"Okay you got me." Said Twilight. "I know who Trixie is, this isn't our first meeting."
"I thought so." Said Luna. "But how?"
"We went to Celestia's School For Gifted Unicorns together when we were foals." Twilight explained. "When we first met, I guess you could say we were playmates. We'd play and spend time together."
"So did something happen?"
"As time went on Trixie began to get jealous of my accomplishments." Twilight revealed. "She started being really mean to me. It got her expelled."
"Is that why you're afraid?" Asked Luna. "Because you're scared to confront Trixie again?"
"Yes that's reason number two."
"Well Twilight I won't force you to do something you don't wanna." Said Luna. "But you really should know when to do the right thing." Luna then walked away, leaving Twilight in her thoughts.
Later at night Snips and Snails were in the Everfree forest. The two walked into a cave.
"Oh how we gonna find an ursa major when I can't even see my own hoof in front of my face?" Snips asked.
"Hold on." Said Snails, who then lit up his horn.
"Oh, that's better." Said Snips.
Unbeknownst to them they were next to something sleeping. It appeared to be a giant glowing, blue bear. It woke up and then roared.
"AHHHH!" It began chasing them.
Spike was out walking when Snips and Snails ran past him screaming. "Hey guys." He said. "Where ya going?"
"Can't talk now." Said Snips.
"Got a major problem." Said Snails.
"Ursa Major to be exact." Said Snips.
Huh?" Spike then heard roaring and turned to see the Ursa behind him. "AHH!" He began running.
"Trixie!"
"Twilight!"
Snips and Snails went to Trixie's wagon and began knocking on it. "Trixie!"
"Trixie thought she said the Great and Powerful Trixie did not want to be disturbed." She said.
Snips laughed nervously. "We have a tiny problem."
"Actually it's a big one." Said Snails.
"What is so important that you cannot wait until morning to disturb Trixie?" She asked.
Trixie then heard roaring. She looked and saw the Ursa. "AHHH!" She ran out of her wagon and off. Snips and Snails followed.
Meanwhile Twilight was peacefully reading when Spike came in.
"Twilight you've gotta come quick!" He said.
Twilight was annoyed. "I already told you Spike I don't wanna show up Trixie."
"No you don't understand it's-" But before Spike could finish the ground shook and they heard roaring.
"Uh is that what I think it is?" Asked Twilight.
"Majorly." Said Spike.
Meanwhile the Ursa had cornered Trixie, Snips, and Snails.
"Great and Powerful Trixie." Said Snips. "You've gotta vanquish the Ursa."
"Yeah vanquish it so we can watch." Said Snails.
"It took a lot of trouble to get that thing here." Said Snips.
"Wait you brought this here?!" Asked Trixie. "Are you out of your little pony minds?!"
"But you're the Great and Powerful Trixie." Snips reminded.
"Yeah remember?" Asked Snails. "You defeated an Ursa."
The Ursa roared.
"Uh okay." Said Trixie. "Stand back."
Trixie then used a rope and seemingly tied the Ursa up.
"Piece of cake." Said Trixie. But it turns out she only tied two of its fingers together, to which it easily broke out from.
Snips was unimpressed. "Aw come on Trixie."
"Stop fooling around and vanquish it already." Said Snails.
Trixie then conjured up a cloud and struck the Ursa with lightning. But it didn't do much.
"Well that was a dud." Said Snails.
"Yeah." Said Snips. "Come on. Where's all the cool explosions and stuff from earlier? You know.
Lightning then struck the Ursa again. Now it was mad.
"Uh oh." The three then ran away.
The Ursa began terrorizing the town and everypony panicked and ran.
Twilight, Spike, and Luna then arrived.
"What's going on?" Asked Twilight.
"We brought and Ursa to town." Said Snips revealed.
"YOU WHAT?!" Screamed Twilight.
"WHAT WERE YOU TWO THINKING?!" Screamed Luna.
"Don't worry." Said Snails. "The Great and Powerful Trixie will vanquish it."
Trixie looked sad. "I can't." She said.
"WHAT!?" Said Snips and Snails surprised.
"Oh I can't, I never have." Trixie admitted. "No one can vanquish an Ursa Major. I just made the whole story up to make me look better."
"Made it up?!"
"Wow who'd of guessed." Said Luna sarcastically. "I never would have seen it coming."
The Ursa then roared.
Luna began speaking to Ancient Fairy Dragon in her head. "Ancient Fairy Dragon can you hear me. You have to do something."
"Normally I would." Said Ancient Fairy Dragon. "But I think it's best if your friend Twilight Sparkle handles this."
"Why?"
"It will be a good lesson for her."
Luna then nudged Twilight.
Twilight then walked up to the Ursa.
She began using her magic to make some cattails creating calm music to soothe the beast.
"Nice use of number sixteen." Said Spike.
Twilight then used her magic to empty a nearby water tower before refilling it with milk from cows.
"That's new." Said Luna.
The Ursa now falling asleep nearly fell on Trixie. But Twilight caught it with her magic before feeding it with the milk in the water tower like it was a bottle. She then sent it back to her cave.
Everyone then began cheering.
"Unbelievable." Said Dash.
"That was amazing." Said Spike.
"I'm proud of you Twilight." Said Luna.
"I knew she could do it." Ancient Fairy Dragon told Luna.
"Heavens to Betsy!" Said AJ. "We knew you had ability, but not that much."
Twilight looked nervous. "I'm sorry. Please, please don't hate me."
"Hate you?"
"Whatever do you mean darling?" Asked Rarity.
"Well I know how much you all hated Trixie's showing off with her magic tricks and I just thought-" But Dash cut Twi off.
"Woah, woah, woah." She said. "Magic's got nothing to do with it. Trixie's just a loudmouth."
"Most unpleasant." Rarity said.
"All hat and no cattle." Said Dash.
"So you don't mind my magic tricks?" Asked Twilight.
"Your magic is a part of who you are sugarcube and we like who you are." Said AJ. "We're proud to have such a powerful, talented unicorn as our friend. It's just like when Luna dueled Nightmare Moon remember.
"Told ya." Said Luna.
"And after whupping that Ursa's hindquarters we're even prouder." Said Dash.
"You are?" Asked Twi.
They all nodded.
"Wow Twilight." Said Spike. "How'd you know what to do with that Ursa Major?"
"That's what I was doing when you came looking for me." Said Twilight. "I was so intrigued by Trixie's bragging that I was compelled to do a little reading up on them."
"So it is possible to vanquish an Ursa Major all by yourself?" Asked Spike.
"That wasn't an Ursa Major." Said Twilight. "It was a baby an Ursa Minor."
"That was just a baby?" Asked Trixie.
"Seriously?" Asked Luna.
"And it wasn't rampaging." Said Twi. "It was just cranky because someone woke it up."
Everyone glared at Snips and Snails who looked nervous.
"Well if that was an Ursa Minor. Then what's an Ursa Major like?" Spike asked.
Twilight thought. She knew that by now the Ursa Minor was being cradled by its much larger and menacing looking purple mother. An Ursa Major.
"You don't wanna know." Said Twilight.
"Well Twilight Sparkle, you may have vanquished an Ursa Minor." Said Trixie. "Something else you've surpassed me at. But you will never have the amazing, show-stopping ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie!" Trixie then created a puff of smoke before running off.
"Why that little..." Dash was about to go after her but Twilight stopped her.
"Just let her go." She said. "Maybe someday she'll learn her lesson."
Snips and Snails then tried sneaking off. But Twilight caught them.
"Now about you two." She said.
Snips laughed nervously. "We're sorry we woke up the Ursa Minor."
"We just wanted to see some awesome magic." Said Snails.
"Yeah." Said Snips. "And the way you vanquished the Ursa Minor was awesome."
Twilight didn't buy their flattery.
"We deserve whatever punishment you think of." Said Snails.
"For starters you can clean up this mess." Said Twilight. "And what do you think Spike? Should I give them number twenty-five."
"Oh twenty-five, yeah." Said Spike. "And I think I deserve it too."
"Huh?"
"I think you're right." Said Twilight. She then gave all three of them moustaches.
"Sweet." They said.
The next day Twilight wrote a letter to the Princess.
"Dear Princess Celestia, I have learned a very valuable lesson about friendship, I was so afraid of being thought of as a show-off that I was hiding a part of who I am. My friends helped me realize that it's okay to be proud of your talents and there are times when it's appropriate to show them off. Especially when you're standing up for your friends."
"Well said." Said Luna.
"So you finally admit that you're the most talented unicorn in all of Ponyville?" Asked Spike.
"More like all of Equestria." Said Luna.
"Well, yeah." Said Twilight. "But it's nothing to brag about."
"So how did it go with Rarity?"
"Eh, she didn't go for the moustache." Spike told her.
"Told ya it would never work." Said Luna.
"You know, Spike, that mustache has nothing to do with who you really are." Said Twilight. "Maybe you should just try being yourself."
"Yeah, it's what's on the inside that counts." Said Luna.
"Or maybe the moustache wasn't enough." He said. "Maybe if I had a moustache and a beard."
"Ugh." Said Twilight. "Not this again!"
"Okay, imagine me with a nice, long, Fu Manchu type beard." Said Spike. "Or maybe a goatee. Oh no a soul patch right on my chin."
THE END