“To get my hat and cape!” Is the last thing you tell Twilight before you go down the stairs and start to make your way outside. As you open the door, you can see the sun has now almost fully set, giving the sky a nice orange and redish tint. At the same time, you can just briefly see the tip of the moon slowly rising towards the sky giving you a nice look of just how the sun and moon work on this world. Still slightly baffled that two miniature horses are responsible for this, you continue onwards with your minor quest.

You enter your trailer, and make a beeline for the bedroom. Once you enter it, you quickly find your hat and cape, and decide to put them on. For some reason, you just feel calmer and a feeling of safety comes over you, the moment you equip your wardrobe. You don’t really know why that is, but you can’t help but glance at the oversized mirror in the room.

You can’t help but admit that the hat and cape do look good on you, as if they just complete you. Maybe you better keep wearing these for now? You haven’t exactly done such a good job of pretending to be Trixie, though your newfound friends don’t seem to mind that too much. Still, wearing this makes you feel normal for some reason. If anything else, it does provide some modesty, as you still got some nagging feeling at the back of your head that you’re walking around naked all the time. But maybe, if for some reason you cannot undo this spell, you should just wear them already to get used to it? Doing magic shows might not be so bad after you regain your magic. In fact, it might even be cool?

“Oh, getting used to it, are we?”

What the heck? You nearly jumped a mile in fright of the sudden male voice! It sounds deep and gruff, but not unpleasantly so. You quickly glance around all over the room, but can’t see anyone.

“Up here, kiddo.”

You do just that, but can’t see anyone on the roof either. Is this some sick joke someone is playing on you?

“Atop of your head.”

Atop of your head? The only thing on your head is the magician hat. Is there something on top of the hat?”

“I am the hat, genius.”

A talking hat? It’s official. You have lost your mind completely. It was bound to happen sometime. A person can only take so much at once, and today has been ever so stressful.

“Not very talkative are you, partner.”

You look at the mirror again, expecting the hat to now have a mouth or something, but you can’t see anything of the sorts. Are you really going crazy? Or are you hallucinating? Ah, that must be it! Another side effect from that spell! That, or that ugly green muck in your hair has the side effect of making you as high as a kite, and you’re now imagining a talking hat.

“I can assure you that I’m real, and not some spell gone wrong, kiddo.”

What… did it just read your mind?

“Sure did, partner!”

What the fuck? He really did read your mind? How, what? Huh… buh?

Your mind is practically shutting down on itself, as you just can’t digest that info.

“Sheesh kid, you’re almost as bad as the boasting girl. Say something, will you?”

“Ten points to gryffindor?” Is all that you can blab out in response. This must be some dream! Talking hats don’t exist! No matter how weird this world might be!

“What? You’re a weird one, aren’t you?”

“Well, excuse me for freaking out when my hat suddenly starts to talk! I mean, if you could talk to begin with why the hell didn’t you do it before then?”

“Because you just awoke me, that’s why.”

“Awoke you? What the hell does that mean?”

“When the boasting girl switched with you, I went in a sleeplike state, waiting till you had enough magical aptitude to release the seal on me. But I got to say you impressed me, partner. It took the boasting girl years to wake me, and even then, had to use some powerful necklace to do it. And here you do it in just three days!”

Necklace? Surely he doesn’t mean that necklace?

“The alicorn amulet?”

“That’s the one. Nasty thing that. Nearly drove the boasting girl insane with power.”

So what? If you get the gist of it, this hat is some sort of item that becomes unlocked when you got the power to listen to it? That sounds like some bad RPG plotline!

“No clue what an RPG is kiddo, but that’s more or less correct. Well, there is a lot more to it than that, but for now let’s go with that.”

“Ok, let’s just say for the sake of my ever losing sanity that I believe you. Why can I hear you then, when it took the real Trixie years to do it? And whatever for, are you talking to me to begin with?”

“No clue about that one, partner. Heck, I can feel that you barely have any mana in you right now. Rightfully speaking, you shouldn’t come close to unleashing my seal. But hey, life’s just full of surprises, isn’t it? As for speaking to you, why shouldn’t I? You’re my current owner now, aren’t you, partner?”

“That’s another thing! Why do you keep calling me partner?”

“Because you are, aren’t you? You’re the current owner of me, since the boasting girl swapped bodies with you. Got to say, that’s a first for me as well. You’re just full of surprises, partner.”

This is insane! All the shit you have gone through these last days, and now this? This must be a dream! You must have fallen asleep, and must now be having some real vivid dream of the objective you tried to do, namely getting your clothes.

“Come now, kid. You’re smarter than that, I hope. After everything that you’ve been through, this is the part you can’t believe?”

“Well, of course I can’t! I mean, a talking hat?”

“Compared to a talking pony? Wasn’t that just as fake to you then, as me talking to you now? Heck, you are currently acting like one, aren’t you?”

“How do you even know all this? Furthermore, you’re still reading my mind! Stop doing that!”

“Hah, sorry about that partner. I was just trying to see who my new wielder was. As for knowing all that, when you unleashed the seal, I automatically got your memories as part of the process. Can’t say I’ve ever seen one of your kin before though. Even for one as old as me, this world can still have some surprises once in a while!”

“Wait, you know?”

“Haven’t you been paying attention? I already mentioned that you ended up switching bodies with the boasting girl a few times by now. And here I thought you were something special, kiddo.”

“Well, fuck you too. I’m just overwhelmed by all of this, ok? So, how do you know all this to begin with? When she switched bodies with me, I woke up in a cell, and you and the cape were being kept in storage.”

“Just because I get sealed every time my partner dies, or in this particular case, leaves this world completely, doesn’t mean I don’t see or hear anything. I saw it all, since a part of me is still bound to the body that you currently inhabit. Maybe that’s why you broke the seal so fast, come to think of it. Hah, that’s another new thing. Kid, I can tell you and me are going to get along just fine. I mean, if you already have so many surprises for me already, I can’t wait to see what you’ll do when you get your mana back!”

This still doesn’t make much sense to you, but maybe this hat could be an ally of yours? If he knows all this, maybe he can undo the spell that did this to you to begin with?

“No can do, partner.”

“Oh right, forgot about the creepy mind reading. Still, what do you mean, you can’t do it?”

“A spell like that is complex, not something you just do at a novice level. Truth be told, I’m surprised the boasting girl could do something like that, but I can’t undo it. Only the creator of the spell himself, or in this case, herself, can do it.”

WHAT? So all this time, when you were secretly hoping for aid from Twilight, or maybe even Celestia, has been for naught? If only Trixie can undo this mess, that means you are here for the entire duration! Or worse, forever, if she doesn’t uphold her end of this bargain!

“Are… are you sure? Surely some powerful being like Twilight Sparkle or maybe even princess Celestia can undo it? Heck, with you explaining it to them, I not only can actually tell them, but they’d believe me as well!”

“Sorry partner, but I can’t do that either.”

“What? Why the fuck not?”

“I’m old kid, really old. I’ve been around, and know all kinds of terrible secrets. Should I fall in the wrong hooves, who knows what kind of consequences might spring from it. Also, the Sun one isn’t one I’d like to meet ever again if it can be helped.”

The Sun one? Does he mean Celestia? Also, why the hell can’t he help you? Screw his consequences! This is your life for fucks sake!

“I’m sorry partner, really I am, but the Magic one cannot know of my existence. She’s… too eager about knowledge, and trust me, you don’t want her to find out my knowledge. That wouldn’t bode well for this world. As for the Sun one… it’s complicated. Let’s just say that the last time we’ve met, hasn’t exactly been the friendliest of encounters.

“So what, I’m just to pretend like nothing is going on, when a talking hat is right on my head?”

“Yes. Right now you have neither the mana, nor the magical aptitude to wield me anyways, so for your own safety, its best that you don’t act like anything is wrong with me. Don’t sell me short though, once you’ve gained some magical powers, I can be a great boon!”

“Since you somehow know about the ‘Magic one’, she’s not exactly stupid you know. She might notice something is off when I all off the sudden act all protective of my hat.”

“The boasting girl wore me for year’s day in and out. Aren’t you still pretending to be her, right now? That means that if you aren’t wearing me and the cloak, the Magic one might find something off about you, and it seems to me that you already had a turbulent ride so far.”

“I’m currently staying with Twilight to begin with. Trust me when I got the feeling that she will notice something is off about you.”

“Hah, what is it with the Magic one that attracts my owners so much?”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“The boasting girl seemed obsessed with her as well, to the point that she used my powers to become invisible and follow her for an entire day. That evening was very steamy, let me tell you that.”

Wait a second… is that how Trixie got those shots of Twilight getting off in her bed? So what, this thing can cast invisibility?

“I can assist in much more than that, partner, but you need to have the magical aptitude to be able to do it in the first place. I’m a great boon, and can boost your magical powers immensely, but if you got no control over your magic, and no mana like you currently have, I’m nothing more than a pretty decoration to keep your head warm.”

“So basically, you’re pointless to me right now?”

“Hah, you’re straight to the point, aren’t you partner. Got to say, I like that about you.”

“Look uh, if you’re going to drive me insane, the least you can do is tell me your name. You do have a name right?

“Y Ddraig Goch, though you can just call me Ddraig.”

“Ddraig? What the hell kind of name is that for a hat?”

“What kind of name is Trixie for one of your kin?”

“That’s not my name though, it’s just the one I’m stuck with for the time being!”

“Oh, and what is your name then?”

“That’s easy! It’s … my name is …”

You gasp in shock. What is your name? Why can’t you recall your own name?

“That’s what I mean, kid. When I got your memories, all I could see was Trixie as your name.”

“But that’s not my name!”

“I’ll take your word for it, but the boasting girl surprises even me. She didn’t seem anything special to me, even though she had quite the magical prowess inside her. It’s too bad that she didn’t have either the finesse, or the willpower to learn to control her mana flow better. Might have made her one of the most powerful unicorns in this day and age.”

“What the hell do I care about that! I don’t know my own fucking name now? What else has that blue bitch done to me? First I get an anxiety attack at Fluttershy’s house, then I act like some pervert towards Twilight and her friends, then I find some magical talking hat, and now this deal with my missing name? And you want me to act like everything is fine?”

“Kid, relax for a second.”

“RELAX? How the fuck do you expect me to relax? My entire life is being wiped from me! I already lost my body, and now my name! Who’s to say that my memories won’t vanish down the line as well?”

“It’s not as bad as it seems. And for the record, I’m positive this will not tamper with your memories at all but even if it does, you might be happier off for the time being. Some of them aren’t exactly the best kind of memories and seem to make you quite unhappy. I can understand that you’re upset about all of this, but think of it as a holiday for the time being.”

“A holiday? And screw you! It might not have been anything special, and sure, I might have been unhappy at times, but you’re not the one who got everything stolen from him!”

“Hah, let me tell you a little something, kid. I wasn’t always a talking hat, nor was I stuck on helping ponies with their magic. So believe me when I say that I understand you freaking out. But it won’t help you anything down the line.

The hell is that supposed to mean?

“All in good time, kid. All in good time.”

Goddammit, Ddraig is pissing you off! Every time you got a question, he just deflects it with some half assed answer, or makes you have even more questions.

“So what, you just expect me to complete my half a year of being stuck in this body? In case you didn’t notice already, Trixie’s not exactly the most welcome pony here.”

“You do what you planned on doing in the first place. Befriend the Loyalty one, and the Honesty one, and then, learn to use magic. This world isn’t as bad as you might think, partner, and before you know it, you’ll be switching back with the boasting girl to go on with your life.”

“And I’m just supposed to hope that she will actually do that?”

“I admit that the boasting girl isn’t exactly the most noble of ponies, but just as I am your partner now, I was hers as well for a little while. She’s not as bad as you’d like to think and trust me when I say that she will honor her end of the bargain.”

“Noble my ass! She stole my body, in case you have forgotten! I was stuck in some jail, while she’s doing god only knows what with mine!”

“Temper kid. You’re quite easily agitated, aren’t you? That can be dangerous down the line.”

“Stop talking in riddles! And of course I’m agitated! The hell do you even mean that me being angry can be dangerous?”

“Like I said before, I can boost your magic powers through the roof if you can wield me. But, what if someone like you, who has zero control of her mana flow, was to lose control in a fit of rage? It could be quite disastrous.”

Ddraig is that powerful?

“I am, kid. That’s why you can’t let me fall in the wrong hooves.”

“What if someone does find out about you? And steals you to use your power?”

“Partner, play this scenario in your head for a second. What if some pony was hell bend on revenge, and wanted to stop at nothing to get it. Now, what if said pony was quite a powerful unicorn with a very high magical prowess. Now, what if, with my powers, I boost that magical prowess immensely. Why, said unicorn might even be able to hold a one on one fight with the Sun and Moon ones, and might even hold enough power to win.”

No way. Your hat is that powerful? Just what the hell is this hat?

“As it stands, you must have heard of the rebellion against the Sun and Moon ones in the city of white and gold. So you can see how that could end up. Admittingly, not many of your newfound kin are as powerful as the Sun and Moon ones, but a handful of them might very well be.”

Ugh, you completely forgot about that. Still, it’s not as if you can calm down in an instant. But, maybe you should listen to him? He does seem to know more about this than you, and maybe he might be wrong about Twilight, or Celestia not being able to help.

“I can’t deny that I might be, kid. Like I said I’m old, but you’ve given me more surprises in the last five minutes than I’ve had in a very long time. Who’s to say how the Magic one will evolve around you.”

The hell is that supposed to mean?

“You’re a clueless one, aren’t you partner?”

“Huh? Sometimes you make no sense, Ddraig!”

“Hah, you’ll learn in time, kid.”

“At the very least, do you know if something went wrong with the spell? I haven’t exactly been myself at times.”

“Hmm, it’s odd.”

Odd? What’s up now?

“As I got your memories, I can see how she did the spell, and as such can see that nothing has gone wrong. And yet, there seems to be some lingering effects inside of you, that for some reason, even I cannot detect completely.”

“Huh? What lingering effects?”

“A spell that complex will usually leave behind some magical residue, think of it as a fingerprint of some sorts, as your kin seems to be so keen on. Normally, that’s easily detected if one knows that it’s there, and in the case of foul practice, can be attempted to be undone. But for some reason, the residue in you seems to be erratic, to the point that I cannot get a read on it. I got to say, that’s never happened to me before either. Perhaps it’s because of your world and the lack of magic there?”

“Residue? And I thought you said that this spell can only be undone by the real Trixie?”

“Not what I meant, partner. That residue is the most likely reason why you’re having these side effects. The fear you experienced, the lust for the Magic one and the sisters of scent, even the anger towards my previous owner. As it stands, it’s driving your emotions to the max, and could potentially harm you, or in the worst case scenario others caught in the crossfire. While the spell itself cannot be undone, the residue can be expelled from your body in normal cases. But I’m just guessing here, as I just cannot get a read on it. It’s as if something is blocking my ability to do so and that is quite impressive. Was the boasting girl always this powerful? And to what end did she do this?”

Wait, it’s driving your emotions to the max? Does that mean that all that awkwardness from before was you, but without rational thinking? That the panic attack at Fluttershy was just you being scared a bit? That you really did lust after Twilight and to a lesser degree Aloe and Lotus? That can’t be true, right?

“Think about it what you will, partner, but know that as long as the residue is inside of you, that it might affect you if your emotions run wild.”

So what then? You’ll be fine as long as you keep a check on your feelings?

“That should do it.”

Great, now you can’t even be pissed off about all off this?

“Sure you can, kid. Just don’t overdo it. You wouldn’t want to lose control and harm the Magic one, would you?”

That makes you halt. Could you really harm Twilight in a fit of rage? Just because of a talking hat? Maybe you shouldn’t wear him then?

“Won’t do any difference, partner. You broke my seal, so you activated me. You might not feel it now, because of your lack of mana, but my power is already inside of you, just waiting to be used. Whenever you wield me or not, won’t change that fact.”

What? So you’re a potential walking time bomb waiting to be set off?

“Not if you control your emotions.”

As if anyone could with this mess! Not to mention that making up with Applejack and Rainbow Dash will automatically piss you off to begin with!

“Hah, just take deep breaths kid. But remember this. Right now your mana pool is really low, to the point that it could kill you, should you tap into it. I’d hate to see my new partner die already, just because she couldn’t control his anger.”

Oh for fuck sakes! You forgot about that as well. You really need to start paying more attention to these things. Though, you can’t help but feel a bit annoyed at him calling you a she.

“That you do, kid, and mayb- Kid, the Magic one is coming.”

“Huh? How’d you know Ddraig?”

A silence is all you get in response.

“Ddraig?”

“Trixie? Is everything alright?”

You turn around to spot Twilight inside your living quarters, looking somewhat upset. Oh crap, did she overhear that?

“I’m fine, and coming.”

“Oh thank Celestia, you just stayed away, and I feared something had happened to you.”

She was afraid for your safety? Is that why she was upset? You can’t help but lightly blush at that.

Wait! Isn’t that bad? You don’t want to let your lust take the upper hand again! Though, that’s not lust that you’re feeling right now. But then, what are you feeling? Happiness? Joy? A hint of sorrow for making her upset?

Ugh, whatever, you need to get to Twilight, before she gets suspicious.

“Sorry about taking so long. I was just cleaning up some stuff in my bedroom” You tell a quick lie as you walk towards Twilight.

“No worries. I just felt worried when you didn’t come back, and thought that you were still angry about the whole Rarity messing up your mane thing.”

“Nah, I got over that, don’t worry. I’d just hate to leave my stuff like a mess.”

“I see you’re still wearing your hat and cape though.”

“Ah, yeah,” You laugh somewhat awkwardly. “I may not be upset anymore, but I just feel relaxed like this. Force of habit, you know.”

“I see.”

“So uh… all done here.” You let out another awkward laugh.

“That’s good…” She replies just as awkward. If you had a knife right now, you could cut the tension.

Thankfully, your stomach saves you by letting out a rumble, letting both you and Twilight know that you’re hungry. Come to think of it, you haven’t eaten since this morning.

You blush as you let out a giggle in embarrassment, though Twilight has an amused smirk on her face.

“Hungry, I take it?”

You nod in response, thanking the gods to having saved you from that awkwardness earlier. The last thing you want to do is talk about talking hats to Twilight, if the hat in question is just going to remind quiet anyways. You got enough shit to deal with, without making Twilight think you’re going insane.

You silently follow Twilight back into the library, but not before making sure your little stage cart is closed. Who knows what other types of secrets this thing has inside of it besides the ones you already found. Come to think of it, didn’t you find all kinds of stuff inside of Ddraig as well? Besides things related to magic shows you did find some other types of items like a map and such, including that purple toy… yeah, you got another awkward talk coming up soon with your hat it seems. But that will be for later when you’re alone with him because right now it’s food time!

As you enter the house, you notice the once clean library now looks like a mess, with various books discarded left and right. You know Twilight dropped some books when you entered earlier during your mane fiasco, but this looks like a small cyclone went off and threw half the library in a strangely fixed mess. It’s a mess sure, but it’s an assorted mess done by someone obviously looking for something yet not finding it. Eh, truth be told you barely care right now as it’s not your mess to clean up anyways and your biggest priority right now is to get some food in your belly anyways. As you follow Twilight into the kitchen, your nostrils are instantly hit with the pleasant smell of frying butter with hints of vanilla. Wait, could it be? As you walk towards Spike, who seems to be wearing an apron and seems to be cooking something, you’re pleasantly surprised to see your initial though was true. Pancakes! You nearly weep for joy as you at least don’t have to eat more oats or fruit tonight!

As you quickly take a seat and try your hardest not to drool in anticipation, you watch how Spike seems to use his own fire to cook the round cakes before placing them on a plate. You got to admit that it looks cool but you are awfully hungry so you can’t help but hope that he’ll be done soon. Thankfully, you don’t got to wait much longer as he seems to be thinking the same thing you are, and when he places the last one atop of the large stack of deliciousness, Twilight uses her magic to levitate them over towards the table, and places it down so it’s easy accessible for the three of you. Barely managing to hold yourself back before the princess and baby dragon also take place at the table, you allow yourself to quickly pick the small piece of heaven with a fork when they finally do, and wasting no more time, you bring it to your plate, almost drench it in syrup as a follow before finally rolling it up and all but shove it into your mouth. Oh… MY… God… This is the best thing you have ever eaten. It’s the same as any other pancake to the best of your knowledge, but to your new taste buds, it’s the size of a taste atomic bomb. A culinary orgasm seems to be happening inside of your mouth right now, and all you can do is take it with excitement. All too soon the sweet cool taste of the syrup and the hot buttery taste of the pancake itself still flow around in your mouth, even though you already swallowed the round piece of pure bliss.

“Don’t you usually eat these in the morning?“ You can’t help but ask even though you don’t mind this at all. In fact, these are delectable! You got to hand it to the little shit. He’s a freaking great cook when it comes to things like this. A fact you make sure to tell him as you help yourself to a second, then a third, before stuffing a fourth in there somewhere. After those oats this morning, and having gone dry for the rest of the day, this feels like a feast. You do glance up as you hear some snickering, and watch two bemused faces staring at you. Spike’s too far gone to try to be modest, and is openly laughing at you though Twilight seems to slightly hold herself together. Slightly, as she too has a wide smile on her face and seems to be trying hard not to laugh at you too. You should be annoyed by that, but eh screw it. These are great, so the only response you give them is a faked huff, before you stuff yourself even more with the tasty goodies in front of you.

“Well, after having that crummy breakfast I thought it would be best to get something like this in us at the very least. Glad to see my idea paid off.” Twilight responds in between giggles now. It seems she lost the battle to keep her cool, but you just lick your lips in response.

“Well, well, well.” Spike puffs out his chest in obvious proudness.” You hear that Twilight? Even Trixie calls me a good cook! You know… something you sometimes take for granted.”

Twilight rolls her eyes in response before nuzzling the baby dragon. “You know I don’t take you for granted Spike, and no, you’re not getting extra gems just for having pleased a pony that seems to be easy to please.”

“Drat.” Spike announces annoyed, seemingly thinking he’d get more candy from the purple princess.

“Hey!” You speak as some tiny specks of pancake flies out of your mouth. “Trixie is not easy to please, I have you know! I just praise good food when I get it!”

The response is just more laughs as you all continue to eat what’s left of the cooked buttery goodness.

***

After finishing what was left of the pancakes in question, and then earning more giggles shot your way when you licked off your plate, you helped Spike and Twilight do the dishes. You felt the need to help after receiving such a good dinner, and to your defense, you only dropped a plate twice… and a cup, but you seem to be getting more and more flexible with these hooves every day. After apologizing, and explaining that you normally use your magic to do the dishes, you helped again with cleaning up the pieces. After that Spike quickly went up to read some comic books before going to bed, and as such you followed Twilight back into the library. After taking a seat across from her on two coaches, boredom quickly settled in as you just sat there, looking around, while Twilight seemed to at least attempt to clean up her mess, albeit lightly. Either she’s really dying to find something, or she prefers this organized chaotic mess for her studies. Either way, you’re far too curious not to know.

“So, what’s with the mess here anyways?” You can’t help but ask her. When you left this morning, the place was spotless and now it looks like a warzone.

“Oh, I’m trying to find as much information as I can about the Lapis Luna Campana otherwise known as the Blue Moonbell flower.” At your confused look she continues. “It’s a special type of flower that’s said to bloom only four times in a year. Supposedly they’ll grant great happiness or inspiration to the first pony that eats one of its petals. Normally, I don’t believe in such fairytales, but it seems to hold some truths and even princess Luna confirmed the stories. They’re very rare though to find around in the wilds of Equestria so they’re extremely hard to come by, but there are rumors that they grow naturally near the swamps of Froggy Bottom Bogg which is located deep in the Everfree Forest. Henceforth not many ponies travel there and the rumors might just be bogus but it did intrigue my interests enough to try to learn more about it.” She finally trails off allowing you to repeat what she just said. One thing stood out though so you can’t help but ask her about that first.

“You talk with Princess Luna often?”

“Not that much truth be told, though we do occasionally linger in various discussions.” Twilight looks outside to the starry sky, so you follow her look. “I like the night and especially the stars. To me, they’re a great form of relaxation, and paint the prettiest pictures brightening the dark sky but Princess Celestia has been my one and only mentor. I like Princess Luna and love what she does to the stars, but it’s just hard to step away from the familiarity that I’m so used to, though I suppose I have to learn now that I’m a Princess too now.” She goes quiet for a bit after that, and you’re hard pressed to find something else to continue the dialog, but thankfully she does it for you. “And well… she’s sometimes just hard to understand. Luna’s still stuck in the old days for the most part and many a time still acts like before she got banished to the moon as Nightmare Moon, and as such can be sometimes downright confused about the slightest things we take for granted. You should have seen the first time she visited for Nightmare Night or the time she had me explain the workings of a simple shower! I mean, it’s a shower! Sure, I can understand that she only knows about baths and it seems that in the old days the princesses had various bath maids helping them get cleaned, but a shower? The worst part was that after explaining it in detail for five times, and then taking the thing apart and putting it back together piece by agonizing piece, she still did not understand and ended up housing us both down… from across the room! I thought only Pinkie could get me so riled up, but that day I learned that she no longer holds that special spot.” She finishes slightly miffed but you can’t help but laugh at the image. Pretty soon you see Twilight has followed you in a fit of giggles, which set you off again. Frankly, you don’t know why you find this so funny, but it feels good to laugh for a change after all the panicking and worrying you did the past few days.

It takes a bit to recollect yourself but you finally manage to calm down after some final giggles. “I didn’t think princess Luna was so hard pressed to learn new things.” You carefully weighted your words there, as you feel saying she’s a retard would have ruined the mood there. Wait, is there even a mood to begin with, and why would you want a mood in the first place?

“I don’t think she is… in fact, I was positive she did it on purpose to get me annoyed. It seems the princess of the night can be a great prankster if she wants to be, or so I’ve been told.” She sighs as she glances up the window again. “Though, I do feel sorry for her. Having to lose a thousand years knowing that if you ever return nothing will ever be the same. Losing the ponies you love and care for, not even being able to give your final farewell to them… the only pony you know will still be there after all those years will be the one that banished you in the first place and also the reason for all your hatred and sorrow. I love princess Celestia but at times I cannot help but wonder if she couldn’t have picked a more merciful solution. I suppose in hindsight it was the best option as it sure beats having to possibly harm your own sister and perhaps even kill her. Maker knows I wouldn’t ever want to be forced to pick such a horribly decision that could potentially harm millions of lives or be forced to seal your own sibling to a thousand years of solitude with no way out to make sure he cannot be allowed to ravage the land or hurt innocent ponies. It’s nothing short of a miracle that princess Luna escaped as fine as she did, after we destroyed the Nightmare from her so I rather have her be a bit aloof than to ever be forced to deal with something like that ever again. I doubt she’d survive another encounter as Nightmare Moon, not to mention the state princess Celestia would be in.”

Talk about a depressing thought though that does make you halt. Now that Twilight is an alicorn, does that mean she’ll be immortal too? “Trixie’s been wondering now that you’re a princess and all that… does that mean you’ll life forever too?”

“I… don’t know truth be told…” She gets sad all of the sudden. “Princess Celestia and Luna have been extremely vague about it to the point that it drives me up the walls and even Cadance doesn’t seem to know as she in fact doesn’t even know if she will be in the first place. I honestly doubt alicorns life forever but the idea of being around for a few thousand years while watching all my friends and family pass away… it’s a scary one and one I rather not hope to have to experience…” She falls silent again after that.

Good going genius! If there was a mood, you sure as hell ruined it now. Come on, think. There must be something? She did talk about that flower before this, so maybe that’s a good way to steer the conversation back to a less depressing path?

“So, what’s the deal with that Moonbell flower?” You try your hardest to stop that depressing mood to linger. “No offence, but you don’t strike me as the type of pony that seems to be interested in fairytales but more a pony that likes cold hard facts.

Twilight responds with a snort. “Am I that obvious?” You nod in response even though you know that stuff more from the show than from reading her persona. “Well, two reasons mainly. The first is that it has actually piqued my interests. I learned the hard way to not dismiss folktale or strange stories as they can actually be true, so I’d hate to learn that something I didn’t bother to look into was proven right by some other pony. The other is more for the peace of mind of the ponies out there currently living in fear. While it won’t exactly be ground breaking news, it might be pleasing to hear something positive for a change after everything that has happened.”

“But if these flowers are so rare, won’t you be hard pressed to proof your theory?”

“Yes, besides the fact that they only bloom during the night hence the name Moonbell, they are as I mentioned before extremely rare to begin with. Also not to mention that each season, the flowers don’t hold a set pattern for when exactly they do bloom, and obviously since they need to be alive for it to happen, you can’t just go pluck them out when you do find one. One would have to carefully dig it out, root and all, and then perhaps wait months in the hopes that it finally does bloom.” Twilight sighs as she glances at her books. “There used to be a small patch of them in the royal gardens, but thanks to that civil war they ended up being destroyed. I was actually studying about the flowers before we got called away to help stop the unrest so you could say I’m making up for lost time. Granted, I didn’t plan on actually delving my time into a mystical flower story that may or may not be true but now it just feels like the right thing to do.”

You might shoot yourself in the foot here badly, but you just got to know the full story about that whole rebellion thing. “Trixie doesn’t really know how to ask this nicely so… how did that whole war thing started?”

Twilight looks you right in the eyes and for a second you fear she’ll follow Applejacks train of thought about you being a spy after all, but thankfully she seems to dismiss it just as fast. “I don’t know the exact story of course, but it all started when a fanatical unicorn named Ego Maniac joined the inner council. He’s one of those ponies that believes that unicorns should only mingle with fellow unicorns and that Canterlot isn’t for the Earth ponies or pegasi. For years he was just a minor annoyance, but somehow he made it into the upper council as the minister of defense. At the same time he somehow managed to obtain an army of likeminded unicorns as well as gain the support of several rogue factions of Griffons, Diamond Dogs, Zebra’s and even a minor group of mercenary Minotaurs. Don’t ask me how for the record, though we later learned that he meant to discard them as cannon fodder, and has even made plans to dispose of them, if you catch my drift.” You simply nod in response. “We got called in when trouble started to appear in Canterlot, and before we really could get to the bottom of it, numerous reports came in of attacks on small villages. Long story short, the royal guard and similar groups like the Dawn and Scions got send to deal with the trouble, severely weakening the defense in Canterlot itself at the same time, and that when Ego Maniac made his move. He made his splinter groups attack and cause small skirmishes, while he had the Diamond Dogs tunnel their way up to Canterlot. Thankfully, we had some spies and ponies loyal to Celestia warn us before they could invade, but it cost precious lives of both innocent ponies and the rebel groups. What’s worse is that Ego Maniac got away with several rebels still at large at well, making for quite an uneasy mood around Equestria. Ponies are terrified but also outraged at the other races around our borders. Of course those races insist that they had no idea what was happening, and that the members responsible are rogue’s, thieves, and rebels even in their own lands. Politically it’s a giant mess right now, and emotionally it’s even worse.”

Damn, that’s a lot to take in, but you got to ask. “I guess that’s why everypony is so suspicious of me arriving here then?”

“Well…” She trails off not really knowing how to reply to that, but you know it’s true. You can’t help but sigh, because this won’t make it any easier. “Sorry…” Twilight apologizes as she looks away.

“It’s fine…” You mutter in response. “I guess I got that coming to me.” Even though you know you’re not the pony responsible for it but the real Trixie, you cannot help but genuinely feel sorry for what she – or would that be you – has done to this town, and more importantly, Twilight and her friends. Not wanting to waste this opportunity though, you feel almost possessed with the will for more knowledge as you continue to ask Twilight for information.

“One thing Trixie still doesn’t understand.” You start as Twilight glances back to you. “If this Ego Maniac was so annoying, and know to be a fanatical asshole, how did he manage to not only stay in the council, but climb his way up?”

“Fanaticism isn’t exactly new in the council. Every election one or two of them manages to bribe and weasel their way into the inner council, but that’s normally all they manage to pull off.” Twilight sighs before continuing. “Ego Maniac somehow managed to climb to the very top in such a short time, but how exactly is still being looked into. In truth though, we barely know a darn thing though rumors are starting to spread some members quite close to the royal bloodlines might have something to do with it.”

You doubt its Celestia or Luna itself, but you only know one other royal member from the show, and he’s quite an asshole from what you’ve seen. “Blueblood?”

Twilight seems surprised at you for a second, before seemingly thinking about it. “I admit that the idea has come to me as well, but it’s doubtful. For one thing Blueblood wouldn’t gain anything by it as it would mean his own wife would become a victim to the prosecutions of Ego Maniac and all he stands for. He was even willing to give up his title and royalties just so he could get married in the first place.”

Woah, woah, woah? What did she just say? “Blueblood is married?” You almost shout out. When the fuck did that happen?

Once again Twilight seems somewhat startled by your surprised tone, but she answers it all the same. “Yes, about two months now with an Earth pony named Tender Caring. She used to be his maid as well. I am curious though, how did you learn about prince Blueblood?”

Crap… Well, when in doubt… “I uh, performed in Canterlot many a times you know… I’ve seen him on one of my shows… didn’t strike me as a gentlecolt though.” God, you hope she buys that.

“That’s an understatement. Blueblood used to be snobby, self-centered and only thought about one pony, namely himself. And then he met Tender Caring.” She actually smiles at the thought “He seemed to just have turned around one day almost as if he just obtained a new personally overnight. Instead of the self-center pri… pardon, meanypants, he became this caring stallion that started helping the poor ponies that struggle every day to survive and even helped the orphans around Equestria. Can you believe Blueblood of all ponies ended up giving out his own money so shelter houses and better accommodations got build for those poor souls so they wouldn’t have to sleep in the streets, almost dying of hunger or freezing to death? I got to say, he really surprised me, my friends, and even the princesses themselves.”

Blueblood? That arrogant prick actually did something good? Man, maybe you got to stop thinking of the dude like an asshole if he managed to do that. Maybe that ghetto in Canterlot was funded thanks to him? You thought it was crummy looking at best, but between crummy housing, and having nothing… yeah, props to the dude for doing it. Who knew a pony could change so much only because he met the right mare at the right time. You can’t help but smile at the thought of Blueblood acting like his snobby self, and the moment he locks eyes with this shy maid he instantly drops that act, and becomes a quivering mess, trying hard not to embarrass himself before this angel on Equestria. You then picture them slowly but surely falling in love, before they marry and… wait, what the fuck. Where did that come from? Damn girly mind instantly thought up various scenarios the moment you thought of romance!

But… if even a douche like Blueblood can change so much and become accepted, then there is definitely hope for you out there as well. Sure, Applejack and Rainbow Dash still seem to hate your guts, but if Ddraig was right, you’ll be forced to stay here for those six months anyways. You rather have that time be fun and joyous than to be hated and feared that’s for sure.

As you glance back outside, you can see that it’s getting quite late now, a fact your body makes itself known by you yawning in tiredness. Still, you learned a lot today, but there is one final question you just got to ask.

“Why?”

“Why, what?” She asks confused?

“Trixie’s happy you took her in and all, but let’s face it. She tried to harm you, banished you from your home, humiliated your friends, nearly caused this town’s doom fall twice, and you just brush it aside like it’s nothing? I don’t understand, so why?”

For a while she just sits there, contemplating how to reply to you, the only real movement in the room being a lit candle that sometimes ever so slightly dances thanks to some air getting brushes by it. “Well, are you sorry?”

“What?”

“Are you sorry?”

“Of course I am. I apologized for that, didn’t I?” Sure, for once that was the real Trixie, but if it speaks for you, you might as well use it.

“Then that’s that.” She flashes you a wide smile. “Everypony deserves a second chance… or a third. You came to me in your time of need, so what kind of pony would I be if I just told you to get lost? That’s not me at all, nor would I ever shun anyone that asked for help. Besides, I’ve always been curious about you.”

“You have?”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but Ponyville isn’t exactly the best place to talk about magic. Not many unicorns reside here and even less of them have a knack for studying the arcane itself. It will be nice to be able to talk to someone about that type of stuff again, after you regain your magic.” She suddenly seems to get embarrassed. “And… ugh, forgot I was going to say anything.”

Man, if she only knew. Still, you can’t help but feel happy at how easy she forgave Trixie… you. These ponies are so kind, that you feel an ever bigger resolve to go out there tomorrow and try to become friends with the orange farmer and blue braggart. Still, you wonder what she was going to say afterwards.

She’s still lightly blushing as she tells you that you two better go to bed, as it’s getting quite late. Agreeing with her, you walk up the stairs, as Twilight seems to follow, and with a small shine of her horn, blows out all the candles at once. You got to admit, you might actually be excited about being able to do that. It might be the most basic thing a unicorn can do, but yeah, it’s freaking magic! As you enter the bedroom, you see that Spike has already gone to bed as he's already asleep in his basket, so you quietly make your way to your bed, removing Ddraig and the cape in the process and placing them on a bedstand before crawling into it.

“Goodnight Trixie.” Twilight whispers.

“Goodnight Twilight.” You respond as you close your eyes, hoping that tomorrow will go as planned.

Author's Note

More madness, more plotbuilding

Onwards to the next day! surely nothing weird will happen!