Magic Duel, part 1

The date of the Saddle Arabian ambassadors' arrival is fast approaching. Twilight thinks she has her magic routine all figured out, but she has yet to practice it with the other participants yet. Which is why she's visiting Fluttershy today.

"Don't be scared, little friends," Fluttershy reassures the dozen or so mice, bunnies, squirrels, raccoons, and beavers sitting in a half-circle in front of her. "Twilight is wonderful with magic." She turns to give Twilight a threatening look. "Anything happens to them, Twilight, so help me--"

"Aww, don't worry, Fluttershy," interjects Spike, gently pushing the pegasus back. "Twilight's magic has gotten a lot better since she accidentally crushed me and Applejack with a giant snowball."

Twilight cringes a little. You're not helping, Spike.

"Of course she's good with magic. Twilight's great with magic. I guess I just don't want my little friends to be scared--ohhh, look how scared they are!"

(That would be "not scared at all." They all look eager to get started, while Fluttershy is trembling and sweating through her pelt.)

Twilight lays a reassuring hoof on her friend's shoulder. "I promise, Fluttershy, nothing bad will happen to them."

"I know," Fluttershy squeaks through clenched teeth.

"" (Watch on YouTube)

"Your magic has really improved since we came to Ponyville, Twilight," remarks Spike. "Princess Celestia's gonna love it!"

"Thanks, Spike. I have to be at my best when she arrives with the delegates from Saddle Arabia. I can't believe she's trusting me with the entertainment!"

Before Spike can respond, he's interrupted by Rainbow Dash arriving in her usual manner: at lightning speed and crashing into someone. Specifically, Twilight.

"Twilight! Come quick! It's an emergency!"

Magic Duel, part 2

So.

The Great and Powerful Trixie is back in town, with a few new tricks up her sleeve. Enough new tricks to get Twilight banished from Ponyville and set up a magical forcefield to keep anypony else from getting in or out.

And on top of that, the forest path Twilight usually takes to Milliways appears to have chosen the worst possible time to go missing. She won't be getting any extradimensional backup on this one.

For lack of anything else to do, Twilight is pacing restlessly at the borders of the Everfree Forest, practicing the age spell on random plants she passes by. It's not going well. She almost got a daisy to close back into a bud, but she lost her concentration and it sprung back into bloom instantly.

"Augh! It's impossible!" Twilight shouts at the empty air. "How could Trixie know such advanced magic? Without Spike, I can't get a message to the Princess in Saddle Arabia, so who else do I know who understands strange and powerful magic?"

The moment the words have left her lips, she hesitates. Huh. Maybe there is somepony she can turn to.

Or rather, somezebra.