A Fallen Star

“...and then I pull upwards, barely missing the ground. Sometimes I stroke the grass for fun.” Rainbow Dash swooped low to the ground, demonstrating how close she flies for the trick, before landing softly next to Trixie as she continued walking down the dirt path. The sun was about set now, turning the sky a dark violet, so Rainbow agreed to keep Trixie company until they reached the Library.

Trixie's head felt like it was spinning. So many different techniques and patterns Pegasi had to follow just to perform a trick baffled any creature without wings. “That's...an earful to say the least. I guess making ponies disappear isn't nearly as impressive after all.” Her sentence ended with a chuckle. The two had been comparing their own tricks, to see who had the better skillset.

“Are you kidding? You said you can do that without using Magic! That's like...MAGIC!” The Pegasus had gotten all worked up from Trixie explaining her magic tricks that didn't involve her using her Unicorn abilities. It seemed unreal that a Unicorn didn't need magic to perform some of the things Trixie stated, even after demonstrating a few of them.

“Well, The Great and Powerful Trixie can perform feats beyond imagination.” Her eyes opened wide as she realized what escaped her lips. “Uh, sorry about that. But it is true.”

Rainbow shook her head. “Ah, you don't need to cut that out. Just as long as you don't let the ego get too big, I don't think anypony would have a problem with Great and Powerful once in a while.”  She took off again, hovering in the air. “Besides, it makes me want to think of a cool stage name. Like: 'The Flying Dynamo: Rainbow Dash'! Or how about: 'Dash the Amazing'!” She made poses to go along with her names, flexing her slender body, as if she was a bodybuilder.

Trixie started laughing out loud. Her ridiculous thought was just unexpected, and so random. “Oh, please Rainbow Dash! You do not have the experience, nor the talent to perform on stage with your little wings.” She made sure that the Pegasus could tell she was joking, continuing to laugh.

Playfully huffing, Rainbow Dash landed in front of the library. They had already reached home without realizing it. “You know, Trix, I guess you're not so bad for a stuck up, show offy Unicorn. It was pretty cool hanging out today.”

She seemed to feel some warmth spread down her chest, causing her to smile and chuckle a bit. “Yeah, I suppose it wasn't that bad.” She turned her head, narrowing her eyes at Rainbow. “Though I think your banking needs a little work.”

After waving a hoof at the Unicorn, throwing her last comment aside, Rainbow Dash turned to the door. “I'm gonna say hi to Twilight before I head out, k?” She firmly pushed the wooden door open, making a loud groaning noise, and revealing nothing but darkness. The library's main room was pitch black, save for the minimal light coming in through the windows.

Before either of them could react, the light all flickered on, revealing a huge group of ponies, who all proceeded to shout “SUPRISE!” Dozens of party favors and poppers went off, startling Trixie. She started to back peddle back outside, before being stopped and pushed back in by Rainbow Dash.

Before Trixie could figure out what was going on, a bright pink Earth Pony with a pink mane and tail bounced in front of her. “Surprise, Trixie! My name's Pinkie Pie, and Twilight asked me to throw you a party, because she wanted to celebrating you feeling better! And she wanted you to have a proper welcome to Ponyville.”

Trixie paused for memoent, taking in what this Pony said.. “Wait. A welcome party?” She looked around at all of the happy faces in the room. It felt as if every pony in Ponyville was in here, and had all forgotten her previous visit. “But, you're...” She turned to the Earth Pony, not only confused, but a bit saddened.

“Pinkie Pie! That's my name!” The pink pony snorted at the silliness of Trixie already forgetting her name. “You know, I wanted to have your party forever ago! But Twilight asked me 'not to pester' you until you felt all better. So, now you're better, and now we can par-!” Pinkie was cut off from Applejack placing a hoof over her mouth, muffling the rest of her sentence. But she was so excited, she wanted to rant on an on

“Like Pinkie Pie said. Twilight thought it'd be best to throw ya'll a little bash, getcha used to how things go around here.” Appljack nodded happily to the Unicorn, finally releasing the now silent party pony.

Rainbow bumped Trixie's leg, a half smile on her face. “Yeah, I wasn't gonna come originally. But you managed to change my mind.”

“And let's not forget that it's a Pinkie Pie party.” Rarity said, sneaking up on everypony. “No pony would miss one of these for the world.”

Twilight walked up to Trixie, a warm smile on her face, seeing that the blue Unicorn was still a little disorganized. “You see, Trixie? I told you making friends wasn't going to be hard. Now you have a bunch of friends!”

The whole room cheered in agreement. Everypony but Trixie was smiling. She sat in the center of the room, everypony's attention on her. Again, this was a rare time she didn't want attention. They had assumed Trixie was going to stay here with them. They assumed Trixie was their friend, and could let the past go just as easily as they did. Sure, she felt relieved from the guilt that her past boasting had drudged down on her, but she wasn't ready to make such a big decision.

Twilight's smile started to droop as Trixie began to slowly shake her head, seeing what was going on in her mind.  The blue Unicorn started to take a few steps back. “No. I- I can't. I just...” Before she could finish her sentence, Trixie turned tail and ran from the library, leaving looks of shock on everypony's face.

The lavender Unicorn slumped to the ground. This was her fault, once again. She only now realized that Trixie never agreed to stay with them. She had set up a happy party, made her meet her friends, and even sent a premature letter to Princess Celestia about how even a selfish pony like Trixie used to be, could turn into a grateful and kind friend. Now she felt even worse. First her ability, now her naivety was the cause for Trixie's sadness.

Her friends gathered around Twilight, giving her a big group hug. They had been friends for a while now, and could tell what was running through the Unicorn's mind. The ponies just hoped that they could convince her that it wasn't her fault at all.

Trixie ran through the now dark village. Everypony was either asleep or at Twilight's library, so she encountered no townsfolk. By the time she finished running, Luna's moon was high above, and the night air was already bringing it's chill down on her fur. Trixie slowed to a walk until she came across a small wooden bridge over a creek. She couldn't help but wonder where she had seen this bridge as she slumped over the edge, staring at the reflection of the moon on the water's surface.

Trixie thought bitterly about how naive that Unicorn was. Twilight just assumed that I wanted to stay here? I told her I wouldn't decide until after I had cleared myself of this self-imposed guilt. The moon's reflection on the water seemed to anger her for no reason other than being there. She lit the magic in her horn to blast a small beam of energy into the water, rippiling the reflection.

Still, her thoughts now started to juggle around. What if she stayed? Lived here in Ponyville, and decided to actually become best friends with those ponies? Yet the opposite thoughts were grinding about in her mind. Why should she stay? After being forced to wait for so long, the Great and Powerful Trixie should be back on stage, in the spotlight. After all of those years working to get where she was now, was she really going to give it all up just for the chance to make friends? Would she really let her mother's name disappear?

Feeling lost with her own thoughts, Trixie's head turned to the yellow stars above. Her mother had always said that those stars shone for her. Now, she was a fully-grown mare, and no longer believed that. But something always gave her comfort when she could peacefully watch the night sky. Trixie continued to stare at the sky, thinking to herself. What should I do, Mommy? What would you want me to do?

Of course the sky could not respond to her, but Trixie had still been hoping. She let loose a heavy sigh, and leaned forward onto the bridge, drooping her head over the edge to stare at the flowing water once again. The bright, white reflection of the moon shone brightly now, after the ripples had subsided. Trixie couldn't figure out what to do. Something inside wanted her to stay. It told her that this is what she had been looking for all of these years. Yet, the bold, rash persona of hers had been resisting this urge the entire time.

She noticed the reflection of the moon vanish in more ripples as she saw the stream of tears dripping from her face. There was no point in stopping them now, and nopony was around to see her, so she let them run. This was the only time she didn't scold herself for crying. Her mind was torn, and she didn't know what to do.

A sudden hoof on her shoulder brought Trixie out of her stupor. Snapping her head to her side, she noticed a yellow Pegasus smiling down on her. It took her a moment, but Trixie recognized this pony. It couldn't be, she thought. “Fluttershy...?” She asked weakly, her voice shaky.

Fluttershy's smile widened, happy to know Trixie remembered her. She was about to speak, but Trixie stood up quickly, throwing her front legs around her neck. The Unicorn buried her face in the Pegasus' pink mane and sobbed, happy to see a kind face again. Especially in this time of uncertainty.

The two stood there for a while, until Fluttershy managed to get Trixie to calm down and lay on the bridge once again. She sat next to her, with a hoof on the Unicorn's shoulder. Trixie had actually blindly made her way to Fluttershy's cottage, and they sat on the same bridge that Trixie had cried on weeks ago.

Trixie explained what had been tormenting her. She told Fluttershy about Twilight, the party, her uncertainties, even her memory of her mother. She wanted to stay in Ponyville, but she wanted to return to the big city to retrieve her reputation, both of which she wanted dearly. Trixie loved the idea of having friends, and a quiet life, but feared that she would be letting her mother down by letting the world forget the name of the most powerful mage in Equestria.

Fluttershy just sat and listened until she was finished. Afterward, she cleared her throat. “Trixie, not all choices in life are as hard as they seem. You chose what you wanted to get here today, and so did your mother. She wanted you to be safe, to be happy.”

“I know this.” Trixie stated softly. She didn't want to admit that she never thought of that before. “But, I was happy as a stage performer.”

“Well, do you want to keep performing for your mother?” After seeing Trixie turn her head away, the Pegasus continued. “Or, do you want to spend time with ponies who will be there for you? Ponies who will help you when you're unsure?” She stroked her hoof across Trixie's head, trying to show her that she cared for what was happening.

Holding back more tears, Trixie stood up. She had made up her mind, knowing full well what both paths held for her. But, this was how she set her life, and she was going to live it her way. “I can't stay here. The stage is where I belong. It's what I spent years trying to master, and it is going to have to be my life forever.”

Fluttershy's ears drooped, and a frown formed on her face. She looked towards the creek before standing up. I guess I couldn't change her mind after all. Why does she want to stay away from this? Ponyville is open for her, and Trixie still won't let what she wants become what she gets. “B-before you go... I, uh, have something for you.” The Pegasus quietly stated.

Trixie decided to wait, not turning from the dirt path ahead of her. When she heard hoofsteps on the other side of the bridge, she turned around, seeing Fluttershy holding something in an outstretched hoof, a sad smile on her face. “I found these the day you left. I was going to give them to you when I got home, but you were already gone.”

The Unicorn lifted the pieces of fabric into the air, noting the familiar violet colors, and the star patterns on the hat and cloak. This was her's. This was her cloak, her hat, her mother's gifts. A smile found it's way onto her face, despite the sadness deep inside. Trixie looked up to say something to Fluttershy, but she couldn't figure out what. Finally, she shook her head, and just simply said: “Thank you.” before turning away.

Fluttershy's smile vanished as the Unicorn turned her back to her. Seeing someone so alone walk away, and she being unable to do anything, was one of the hardest feelings she had experienced. But she noticed somepony else just down the road, by the closest tree.

Trixie had set her show attire upon her back and started trotting down the dirt road, not looking up. “You're just going to leave?” A voice caught her off guard, pulling her attention to the nearby tree.

A lavender Unicorn, with purple mane, stepped out into the moonlight to stand near Trixie. “You don't need to leave. You know that you have a choice, right?”

Trixie scowled at Twilight. She was still being naive. “Of course I have a choice. And I'm choosing this as the way I want to go.” She started trotting faster, hoping to leave Twilight behind.

“But will you be happy?” Twilight asked, not turning her head. Trixie actually stopped at the question, allowing Twilight to ask another one. “Is this what your heart wants?”

Trixie turned around, facing the Unicorn. “Of course.” She hardly whispered her answer, not sure if she was lying to herself.

Twilight turned to face her, a sad smile on her face. “Then I guess I can't stop you. But let me say one thing, please.” She walked slowly closer to Trixie, stopping just a hoof's reach away. “Can you forgive me? I prematurely celebrated, thus causing this situation right now. So, I'm sorry.” She kept her smile up, showing that she would back whatever Trixie decided to do.

Scoffing and turning her head, Trixie paused before answering. “...I don't hold you responsible, Twilight. I was going to make this choice sooner or later.” She started to make her way down the road again.

“One more question, please.” Twilight couldn't hold back the urge to figure this out. She absolutely hated to leave loose ends, and wanted her last question answered. Seeing that Trixie was waiting for it, Twilight cleared her throat. “Do you not want to stay here at all?”

The question brought another pang of guilt down on her. Trixie was hoping that she could leave without anypony seeing her. That way, these kinds of conversations wouldn't happen. She turned back again, this time unable to say anything. She couldn't help but think of her mother, because that's who Twilight was starting to sound like: her mother. She starting thinking of what her mother would want her to do. No, this was her life, and she was a big mare. “What is here that I can not get in Canterlot? Or Manehatten? What is in Ponyville that The Great and Powerful Trixie can not get?”

“Friends, for one.” A smug voice came from behind her. Trixie turned to see Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity, all smiling at the Unicorn.

Twilight and Fluttershy walked over to join them. “Not just friends, Trixie,” Twilight said, “But a family. I'm sorry for all you've gone through, but you don't always have to go through life alone. We will always be here for you, because that's what friends are for.”

Trixie's jaw dropped. Right here, standing before her, were six mares that had either hardly knew her, or hated her just 24 hours ago. Now, they were all attempting to bar her path, and convince her to stay with them. Words cannot describe how badly in disarray her thoughts were in at the moment. She felt an overwhelming warmth build itself inside her chest, seeming to fill a void. Trixie smiled, and started to chuckle. Her mind was like pudding, and she couldn't have been happier for it. The Unicorn, without warning, charged into Twilight, wrapping her legs around the mare's neck. “I'll stay.”

The six others all followed suit, giggling and hugging. They were all relieved by Trixie's choice, but none more than Twilight. The blue and purple Unicorns shared a teary hug, longer than the group hug, before finally disconnecting. The group all decided that it would be best to go back to the library and finish their party. It wouldn't have to go to waste after all.

As they walked back to Ponyville in the dark, Trixie looked at the sky and gasped. She could have sworn that the stars were sparkling, as if giving her a message. Smiling Trixie nodded to the stars, knowing they would always watch over her.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

And that's all folks.

First story I started, and first STORY i finished. I actually learned a lot from this, and got really lazy near the end >>;;

So, just a few last author notes:

-The ending seems abrupt, but that's how I've seen it for months now.

-Yes, I know I'm bad at staying in character.

-Thank you for sticking with this till it's conclusion, my 40 favoriteers!