An hour later, she and most of Ponyville were at the market place, waiting for Trixie. Then she came racing from the forest.

"Now what is your challenge?", asked Twilight,

"As you are well known for fighting Nightmare Moon, I decided on a fight! No physical, only magic!", explained Trixie. Twilight was convinced she lost her marbles. That is, if she had them to begin with. Not to mention, there wasn't much of a fight to begin with, with Nightmare Moon. "Not each other, I tracked down two Ursa Minors to fight."

If Twilight would have her wings out, she would drop them by how shocked she is with that idea. "You did what? You crazy mare!", yelled Twilight. "Do you realize how dangerous this is?"

"We are both highly talented Unicorns – one more that the other – we should be able to handle them.", explained Trixie. "If we both do the same task, we should have a clear comparison who is better." That – while still a problem on it's own – is not why she is worried. If one Ursa Minor is near, than is an Ursa Major not far behind. And if two Ursa Minors are there, unless they are siblings, then two Ursa Majors are close.

They then heard the two Ursa Minors approach the town. The townsponies fled the area. As they came closer, Twilight thought about what to do. She doubts Trixie would leave her alone if she asks for help. Albeit, could Fluttershy even handle Ursa's? Let alone two and up to four? She has to bait them away. Into the forest, maybe deactivate the glamour and use her full might? Flight sure would be a help.

Twilight then started running to the Ursa's. She didn't want to hurt them, she just used her magic to push them to the forest. But Trixie attacked one of them, as she followed into the forest. The Ursa she attacked just ran off. Trixie tried to follow it deeper into the woods, but she found herself caught in a shield dome, powered by Twilight.

"Seriously Trixie, you have issues!", yelled Twilight, slowly walking closer to Trixie. "Do you realize how dangerous Ursa's can be! Not only did you anger one, but two! Do you want that you get attacked by Ursa Major's who are very known to protect their young?!" Trixie backed into the dome, now scared of Twilight. No one had dared to yell at Trixie like that. "Not to mention, we both know your magic are just show illusions.", stated Twilight.

"You noted?"

"I've learned under the princess! Of course I notice your type of magic!", said Twilight. Her eyes narrowed. Trixie flinched in the bubble. "Oh, am I scaring you?"

Trixie shook her head, then Twilight heard something. Turning around she saw an Ursa Major. Twilight stepped backwards, into the shield dome. The Ursa then started to slash the dome.

"Ah, you aren't that great, you back down as well!", said Trixie.

Twilight just rolled her eyes, before snapping, "Are you even listening to yourself?! We are in this situation because of you! Was it worth it, Trixie?"

"No... can't you do anything with the elements about the Ursa?"

"No! I would need the whole set!", said Twilight. "You read in the papers that my friends and I used the elements against Princess Luna, right?"

"Yeah, everyone did.", replied Trixie, looking at the dome that won't break it seems. "Why?"

"We never used them. The princesses fixed their issues on their own, without the elements.", revealed Twilight. "Honestly, I don't know why the papers spread that story."

"You didn't? But you attacked her, right?", asked Trixie. "I was told so!"

"Yes, but only one blast so that I can ran off and find the elements or Princess Celestia." She strengthened the shield a bit. "Now I have a question. Why are you doing this? Angering an Ursa, wanting to challenge me?"

"I want to prove myself to be a powerful Unicorn!"

"You sound more like someone who wants attention.", said Twilight. She was eyeing the starry bear walking close by. "Okay, that Ursa does not seem to leave us alone... I have an idea. Trixie, can you do shield spells?"

"Of course the powerful Trixie can!", she replied, "But why? Yours seems to do the trick."

"I will pop the dome. I need you to run away, make your own shield just in case while I bait the Ursa away.", explained Twilight.

"But won't the Ursa follow you? You aren't a fast runner and I never heard that you mastered teleportation."

"I know, but..." She tapped her necklace, revealing the wings. Trixie looked at her. "You sure you can beat an Alicorn? Anyway, get ready to run. Three... two... one, run!" The dome popped and the two mares split apart. Trixie ran to into the direction of Ponyville and Twilight flew high. The Ursa wanted to follow Trixie. "Oi, you starry teddy!" Twilight flew around it, pulling it's attention to her. She guided the Ursa away from where Trixie ran. After a while, when they were as deep in the Everfree as Twilight was never before, she flew high, so high that the Ursa was forced to loose interest. Twilight flew back to where she split from Trixie and landed.

"Is it gone?", asked a voice.

"Trixie? I thought you ran?", asked Twilight.

"I used an illusion, I couldn't do a useful shield.", admitted Trixie, dropping the third person speech. "Now... the wings. I have so many questions."

"Understandable, but before I tell you anything, my status as an Alicorn is a secret, not even Princess Luna knows, so you can't tell anyone!", said Twilight.

"Not the princess? But Princess Celestia does, right?"

"Yes, heck, this is why I am her student! Honestly, I don't know why Princess Celestia doesn't allow me to tell her sister.", said Twilight. "I answer your questions – the ones that the princess didn't ban me from answering – if you promise me not to tell anyone and to stop pulling dumb stuff like the Ursa's!"

"O-Okay...", agreed Trixie. "Now... how did you ascent?"

"That is the weird part, I... didn't ascent. I was born with wings, and no, I am not related to the Princess's. Albeit no one knows who my biological family are, so...", explained Twilight. "I was found as a foal with this necklace, it is laced with a glamour to hide my wings and horn. It originally changed by eye color as well, to purple, but my parents somehow managed to lift that part of the glamour."

"Mm, why isn't it public knowledge that you are an Alicorn? Aren't Alicorns a big deal? Aren't you supposed to be a princess?", asked Trixie. "Are you the rumored princess?!"

"There are two and yes. I am a secret princess. I will be revealed at some point... but honestly, I don't want to, albeit it would be nice not to hide my wings anymore.", explained Twilight. "My adoptive parents originally hid me, because they worried I would be taken away from them. At my entrance exam for the princess's school, I accidentally broke the necklace and revealed my wings. Princess Celestia took me as her student."

"So you're a walking, talking mystery?"

"Yes... Now let's go back to Ponyville.", decided Twilight, reapplying the glamour.

Their walk there was silent. Trixie could sense Twilight was still angry at her, understandably at that. Trixie could kick herself, she angered a princess! A hidden one, but still! She is such an idiot. If that isn't a waking call to tune things down. The walk felt like a walk of shame.

"Trixie, you hadn't answered my question.", said the princess then. "Why do you do all of this? You said you want to prove yourself, but why?"

Trixie sighed. She considered to tell her, maybe the truth helps to get on Twilight's good side. "Like you, I was also adopted, but unlike you, my 'family' made it clear that I am not really family. They adopted me and a different filly because they struggled to conceive. Iono and I always felt that we were just placeholders.", explained Trixie. "Then, they had their biological children, a set of twins. Iono and I were even more cast out than before. We only were kept to be baby sitters for these brats.

"Then, Iono started to show how good of a mage she is. She was somewhat famous in our small town. While she wasn't equal to the twins, she was treated more like family. She was on the family portraits, allowed to attend vacations, she had to baby sit the twins less. She wasn't kicked out when she became an adult."

"I see, I am sorry that happened to you, Trixie.", replied Twilight sadly, her ears lowered. "Why are you trying to get their love still?"

"I don't try to get their love, I try to impress other people to like me. This herd is dead to me for all I care.", revealed Trixie annoyed. She looked to the horizon.

"Do ponies like you when you pull stunts like that?"

"No... but they like my shows! But my magic only goes so far.", admitted Trixie. "I am compensating. My guardians send me to the cheapest school they could find for magic."

"Doesn't your area have public schools?" asked Twilight.

"Nope. You see, I am not from Equestria, but Roam.", revealed Trixie. "It is a Pegasi ethnic state, there is no real reason to fund Unicorn specific stuff for the maybe thousand Unicorns there. I came to Equestria for a new start, away from them. And I am looking for a way to train my magic... but apparently no school takes adult pupils here... so I just try to come by."

"Mm." Twilight thought about what she learned. That Trixie opened up to her either means she trusts her or it is a cry for help. As a Princess of Equestria – albeit only a few ponies are aware – it is her job to help. And as she probably will be the Princess of Friendship, she should commit to that. "Trixie, for how long will you stay in Ponyville?"

"Eh, after that stunt, I will probably be asked to leave... so not long, why?"

"I think I have an idea to help you out, but I need to discuss a few things with Princess Celestia and Luna first.", explained Twilight.

"No punishment?" asked Trixie. Her purple eyes widening with confusion and slight panic of what may come.

"You probably receive some punishment, but I want to help you to avoid further incidents like these.", clarified Twilight. "Now, would you mind to stay in the library for a bit?"

"Uh, sure. Th-Thank you, princess!", said Trixie happily and hugged Twilight who was startled by it. "But why are you doing that for me?"

"Please don't call me princess, again, this has to be a secret!", said Twilight. "And to answer your question, besides that it is my duty as a Princess to help everyone in Equestria, you opened up to me. Even if it wasn't you asking for help, I felt the need to return your trusting in me to open up about your past."

They arrived in the town and Trixie kept close to Twilight. Twilight's friends came to her. Rainbow Dash asked, "What happened to the Ursa Minors? We heard something that was too loud to be a Minor."

"The two Minors called for their mom.", said Twilight, "I baited the Ursa major as far as I could. The Ursa Minors left on their own when Trixie stopped attacking them. Mm, I hope the Major found her kids."

"So, what now?", asked Rarity.

Twilight looked to Trixie, prompting her to say, "N-Now I apologize. This whole Ursa thing, my ego had gone over my head. I promise I won't do it again and just keep to my safe show-mare magic."

The major came and said, "Mm, okay, we forgive you as no one got really hurt, but another misstep and we will punish you accordingly, then you would be asked to leave the town. But tell me, who of you two got rid of the Ursa's?"

"Twilight did. She is the better mage.", said Trixie. "Of course, she is the princess's student after all."

"I didn't get rid of them, I just guided them away until they lost interest on us.", clarified Twilight. "Now, Trixie, follow me." The two mares left to the library.

As they walked in, Trixie asked, "Aren't you accompanied by a Thestral normally?"

"First of all, use the term bat pony, Thestral is a slur. Secondly, she hangs out a lot with Princess Luna.", explained Twilight. "You know, she used to be my care taker and later assistant. I don't need a care taker anymore and Spike is now my assistant, so Crowley won't constantly accompany me anymore."

"Oh, must be nice to have an assistant.", said Trixie. "Where is this Spike?"

"Probably trying to impress Rarity."

"Doesn't sound reliable."

"He is, albeit he does have his moments.", said Twilight.

"Is he aware that you're, well, you know.", asked Trixie.

"Of course he is!", revealed Twilight. "Admittedly, quite a few people know, which makes it even weirder that Princess Luna can't know."

"Mm, who knows?"

"Well, there are my parents, my brother, Princess Cadence, Princess Celestia, Crowley, a handful of bat pony guards, as well as normal guards, my friends from Canterlot, Spike, the Princess's phoenix Philomena and now you.", listed Twilight as she was looking for paper, quills and ink. "Yes, Rarity, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Apple Jack don't know. I asked Princess Celestia many times already if I could reveal it to them, be it just that I have wings, but she always denies."

"Mm, I worry I get problems for this." muttered Trixie, her ears low.

"If anyone gets in trouble, it'll be me.", said Twilight. As if a demon had been summoned, a letter appeared in front of Twilight. "Oh, speak of her." She read it. "Oh, Princess Celestia calls me to Canterlot. Mm... Trixie, would you mind coming with me?"

"N-Not at all!", said Trixie, "I always wanted to see Canterlot! I mean..."

"It is always so funny when ponies are excited for Canterlot."

"You were raised there, of course it isn't special for you." pointed Trixie out.


Rarity was working on her dress she wore to Twilight's birthday. She wants to upgrade it a bit for an occasion that asks for such a dress. Spike helped her – not that he could do much – but tell her compliments. Until he sneezed a flame and scared her cat, Opal. "Sorry! A letter arrived!"

"Oh, you better bring it to Twilight.", said Rarity.

"No need. The letter is from Twilight! For me!", explained Spike. He opened it. "Oh, the princess called her to Canterlot, oh, and she is taking Trixie with her? Mm, she wants to help Trixie."

"Help her?" asked Rarity. "Why would she help her?"

"Yeah, to prevent further Ursa incidents. I suppose." guessed Spike. "The question is how she wants to help Trixie."