Chapter 13: Old Friends and New Friends

“So...” Twilight began uneasily, “How's life been?”

The eight of them sat around a table in the library, awkwardly sipping drinks while their eyed darted from pony to pony around the table. Trixie stared down at her drink intently, trying not to make any eye contact.

“It's been great!” First Light squealed. “Me and Trixie have been going around the country performing her incredible show!”

“That sounds marvellous, dear.” Rarity smiled weakly. “And what have you been doing in the show?”

“I don't do much, normally. But last night-wow!-I got to be the centre of attention! I was on stage, showing everybody what I can do! It was so cool!” First Light picked up her cup and downed the contents. “The Incredible Best Pony!”

“Best Pony?” The six others gasped.

First Light giggled, “Not actually! It's my stage name. Trixie says it's how to capture and audience! I even have a top hat. Isn't that right, Trixie?”

“Hmm.” Trixie mumbled while her mouth was sipping her drink, an easy way to keep herself from talking.

“First Light.” Twilight looked over at her. “Have the shows been going well?”

“Pretty well.” First Light nodded. “They've been super fun! What's with everyone?”

“Beg pardon?” Applejack asked.

“You all used to be really fun,” First Light looked around, “did something happen when I was gone? You all seem really nervous. Do I have something in my teeth? Trixie! Do I have something in my teeth? Ooooh!” First Light oohed. “Trixie!”

Trixie coughed and sputtered as she breathed in her drink. The others at the table exchanged worried glances.

“Will someone please explain to me what happened between you all?” First Light leaned on the table.

“Okay.” Twilight sighed. “Let me explain. A while back, Trixie came to Ponyville. She was really full of herself, and got a lot of ponies mad at her. She went too far, and ponies almost got really hurt. After that, she left. Then, later, she came back. She decided that she would take over the town and throw me out. Then she put Ponyville in a bubble. I finally got back in town and beat Trixie in a duel, then she promised to leave, and turn her life around.”

“And I did!” Trixie stated. “I moved on!”

“Are you still doing shows?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Because it seems like you're still doing the same thing.”

“It's different now.” Trixie mutters. “It's not about me being better than everyone else. It's just about sharing stories!”

“Do you still take out anger on hecklers?” Rarity asked. “Like when you dyed my mane?”

“N-no!” Trixie shook her head. “Not since...”

The silence resumed over the group. First Light finally had the whole story, but it didn't make her feel accomplished. It made her a little sad for Trixie. The only reason she was here was because she wanted to do something nice, and now she was being reminded of something she did not like. First Light was torn between two sides, and both were her friends.

First Light could see from the look in Trixie's eyes that she felt completely alone in the argument. She was all alone against six. Almost out of reflex, First Light reached over to Trixie and wrapped her in a consolatory hug, resting her head on Trixie's shoulder. She closed her eyes, wishing her friends would stop arguing.

Trixie returned the embrace, pressing her head on top of First Light's. She looked down with a mixture of regret, sorrow, and thankfulness to First Light. The rest of the ponies looked around at each other.

“Obviously,” Twilight Sparkle began, causing First Light to slowly break the hug with Trixie, “First Light cares about you, Trixie. I think that warrants you a third chance with us.”

Trixie smiled at the notion, the idea of wrecking the last two chances caused her smile to falter for a moment.

“But I just don't know if this is best for First Light.” Twilight continued. “I don't really fancy the idea of First Light living in a trailer, having only hopes that she will eat that night. It's really no way for a young filly, especially one like her, to live.”

“Wait...” First Light's eyes widened. “Trailer? Hopes for food...” Her head turned to Trixie with a horrified expression. “We're HOBOS!?”

“We're not hobos!” Trixie shouted. “We're just... Travellers.”

“Without a home.” Rainbow Dash added.

“I have the trailer.” Trixie pointed a hoof over her shoulder. “That's a home.”

“It's like camping, I think.” First Light put a hoof to her mouth. “This is the first time I've ever actually been camping, so... Hm...”

“The point is,” Twilight said, “if she's going to be living with you for a while, I just want to know that she's being taken care of.”

“I don't think she needs me to take care of her.” Trixie shook her head. “In fact, “ she sighed, “she's practically taking care of me. My shows are a lot more fun now, and afterwards, I'm not just left alone in a dark trailer.”

“Trixie.” First Light smiled lovingly. “Thank you. That must have been hard for you to say.”

“Actually...” Trixie shook her head. “For the first time in a long time, it was easy for me to say it. You have helped me. You've been a real friend.”

“That's the first time I've heard you say that anyone was a friend.” Twilight smiled. “So you've obviously made some progress since the last time you were here. I'm really happy for you. But,” Twilight looked serious again, “It's not that I have anything against you, Trixie, and even if I did, it has nothing to do with this. Before First Light got here, she was a Mary Sue, completely reliant on her bio. It has to be hard for her to differentiate some times. Am I right?” Twilight looked over at First Light.

The pink alicorn lowered her head. “Yes. I've been slipping up.”

“But what does that have to do with us travelling?” Trixie asked.

“Well, the way I see it,” Twilight began, “First Light needs something to ground her in this reality while she develops her identity.” She paused to think for a moment. “Which is why I think... I think that you and First Light need to stick together.”

The others at the table stared at Twilight.

“Are you sure?” Rarity asked.

“Positive.” Twilight nodded. “Trixie is the first pony that First Light has befriended outside of Ponyville, and the first friend she has made with her new identity. Who then could be better to keep her mind in her new life, than someone who has only known her as First Light?”

“Ah think you have a point there.” Applejack nodded.

“But it's all up to First Light.” Twilight stated. “I want her to make the decision.'

First Light looked back over at Trixie. Twilight was right; Trixie was the first friend that First Light had made. In her mind, it was a no-brainer. She smiled broadly and wrapped her hooves back around Trixie, knocking Trixie's hat off. After the initial surprise, Trixie let her face slip into a comfortable smile. When Trixie realized what it all meant, her smile broadened, and she wrapped her hooves firmly around First Light's neck.

As soon as the hug broke, First Light held her forelegs out for everyone to come over for a hug as well. They were more than happy to join in.

“Mphn mphe mphe mph mph hmm?” A high pitched voice called from the tangle of legs and bodies.

“What's that, Pinkie?” Rainbow Dash asked, fishing through the group for the pink mare.

Pinkie opened her mouth wide to take a deep, gasping breath before speaking. “Can we see the show now!?”

“Oh!” First Light turned her head to Trixie. “Can we have a private show!?”

“I can't see why not.” Trixie grinned.

“You guys,” First Light giggled, “are in for a treat.”

Author's Note

AND I'M BACK, BABY!
I love the little moments they share, it's so cute, don't you think?