The Colors We All Share

And Then They Fuc - Found Out

“Yes, it's true! The Great and Powerful Trixie is most certainly the best catch there is!”

“Uhhhhhhh.............”

“Was there ever any doubt?”

***

Time seemed to slow down for Rainbow as her mind bucked her into overdrive.

Okay, uhhh think think think think, what went wrong?

Step one, break into Ponyville hospital: Check.

Step two, gather enough courage to confess: Check.

Step three, be awesome: Check. Sorta check. Whatever.

Step four, using my awesomeness, have Applejack fall completely and totally in love with me: *not** check.*

That's what went wrong! Okay, all I need to do is-

"Well? Don't you have anything else to say to The Great and Powerful Trixie?"

Oh. Right. Trixie still exists, and was in the room with Rainbow Dash, who'd been staring into space for quite some time now.

"Although Trixie can't say she's surprised. My Great and Powerful presence has been known to cause such severe fainting that doctors were convinced the afflicted had lapsed into a coma!"

“Listen, I-”

“No, don't try and speak, you'll just make it worse. Take some time to get used to Trixie's royal presence.”

“Listen Trixie” She said with as much malice as possible “You don't-”

“Hmm, and you're not half bad to look at, either. Perhaps Trixie could allow you to be her personal maid for a while?”

“Wha-maid?! I won't- No! That's not important, I didn't mean to-”

“Oh, and maybe Trixie will make maids of your other friends as well.”

“Trixie, listen to-”

“Surely they'd grovel at my hooves to be forgiven.”

“But-”

“And then Trixie, in all her splendor, would-”

“SHUUUUT UUUUUP!”

And then there was silence. Blissful, perfect, beautiful silence. Rainbow Dash was pretty happy with herself, as she'd she finally stopped the most annoying mare in the world from being the most annoying mare in the world, and everything was perfectly right with the world again.

The two mares jumped in place a little when they heard the door creak open, eerily and ever-so-slowly.

Behind it stood the silhouette of a pony, who's only defining features against the light outside was the bun her mane was kept in.

And in a sickeningly sweet voice, it called out to them.

“Oh Raaaiiiiinbow Daaaaash!”

“Y....yes, nurse Redheart?”

“Oh, Rainbow Dash, I have a surpriiiiise for yooouuu!”

And against the harsh light pouring in from the other room, one could make out the shadow of a pony's arm raised high in the air, and attached to the end was a long, thin object with a pointed tip that glinted with the reflected light.

And Rainbow didn't need to see any more than that.

With a speed that made herself proud, she flew above Trixie, grabbed her around the waist and, to Trixie's protest, flew out the window fast enough to leave it swinging behind her.

As nurse Redheart lost her murderous smile, she flicked on the lights.

“That'll teach her to be loud in my hospital again!” She said, a clattering sound following soon after.

She looked down to notice the scalpel she'd threatened Dash with had fallen out of her hoof.

“.....How was I even holding that thing?”

***

“Rainbow Dash, put Trixie down this instant! She does not like to be taken against her will! Rainbow Dash? Rainbow Dash, do you hear me?!”

“Yeah, and I'd rather NOT hear you, so shut up! This is your fault anyway moron. Now I have to explain stuff to you...and maybe kick your flank while I'm at it!"

“Stuff? What kind of stuff is Trixie needed for?”

“Just stuff.”

Trixie huffed and tried to cross her forelegs before she remembered that the one they 'Don't call Rainbow and Dash for nothing' was using those to keep her aloft. She didn't want to try any risky magic that might send her plummeting to her early demise, and since Rainbow was a stubborn brick, she had no choice but to wait, flying with Dash to who knows where.

It wasn't all bad, though. She'd never flown before, so that was pretty cool. Seeing the town from up high, everypony looked tiny as ants. Or maybe Trixie had just grown greater and more powerful.

Either way, flying was...nice. Trixie didn't have to care about anything from up here. In Dash's hooves she felt liberated from all the things that oppressed her when she was on the ground. The wind blowing in her mane, the serene atmosphere, the weightlessness...it was just wonderful. An enveloping sense of safety overcame her, even though this could very well have been one of the most dangerous situations she'd been put in to.

It didn't matter to Trixie, though. Up here, she almost felt...

“Okay, we're landing now. Don't try to run or anything, 'cause then I'll have to catch you and that's just too much work.” She said, sounding rather bored.

Trixie heaved out a sigh. Whether it was from relief or disappointment, she didn't know.

Landing on the ground with a grunt, Trixie turned to glare at Rainbow. Or she would have, but she found that all of her anger had left her. She instead settled for looking disinterested.

“Now then, Trixie demands to know why you've dragged her out here! Although if your confession is any clue, you probably just want Trixie all to yourself! Trixie-”

Whatever Trixie was going to continue to say, she didn't get the chance, for Dash had quickly put an end to what was surely going to be a long tirade by, rather roughly, putting her hoof against Trixie's mouth.

“First of all, shut up.” Rainbow Dash said, as she continued to silence Trixie.

“Second of all, that is the exact reason I brought you out here.”

Using her magic to pull Dash's hoof away, Trixie resumed.

“Trixie thought so! The confession is appreciated, but you're not why Trixie has returned.”

“No, no no no, NO! Just be quiet for fifteen seconds and listen to me! There are some things that I'm going through right now, and pretty soon all of my friends are going to be a part of it whether they like it or not. YOU are not going to help the situation any! I did you a favor, it was ME who carried you to the hospital. I didn't want to, but I still did it. Now it's your turn to do me a favor.”

If Trixie was surprised by the news that Rainbow was actually the one to carry her to safety, she didn't show it. Instead she took a moment to contemplate the new information.

“....Fine. Trixie recognizes her debts, even if she WOULD have been fine on her own...”

“Your cart was INSIDE a tree! ...How do you even do that?”

“Be grateful Trixie is going to ignore that comment, she-”

“No, seriously. I wanna know. How is the name of Celestia did you possibly do that? Were you using your magic to move the cart while you gave yourself a hooficure, new hairstyle, and eyeliner?”

“...”

“...”

“...”

Trixie shuffled her hooves about nervously, even once pawing at the ground.

“...No...you didn't...did you?”

“Trixie has a lot to do in one day! While she does look amazing on her own, a little maintenance can go a long way, a fact that I can see is completely lost on you.” She said while grinning, hoping to get a rise out of Rainbow.

“I'm gonna pretend you didn't say that, because it won't matter once you leave. Oh yeah, and, that's your favor. I want you to leave. All of your stuff is in your cart still, and I'm even feeling kind enough to fly you over there if you want.”

“You want Trixie to leave? But what of the heartfelt confession you just gave her.?”

Rainbow stared at Trixie for a moment, before a smile cracked open.

“Heh....heh heh....”

“What's so funny?”

“Pff...BAHahahahahaaahaha! Oh, too priceless! Trixie, you mean you actually thought that confession was for you?”

“I-it wasn't?” Trixie asked in a quiet voice. If Rainbow Dash didn't know any better, she'd say Trixie almost looked sad, what with her ears pressed flush downwards and her eyes looking at the ground.

“No, it wasn't. It was for one of my friends who was also watching over you. Even though we don't like you, we still took care of you. I thought you were just trying to get a rise out of me when you went along with it. And you did, so good job. Now go.”

Taking a moment to contemplate, Trixie suddenly wore a big smile. Rainbow Dash didn't like the look of it one bit.

“You know, I think I'll take that ride to my trailer.”

“And you'll leave?”

“Trixie said no such thing.”

“Ugh! Fine, then tell me why you're here. I'll help you if it means you'll leave faster.”

Trixie noticed that Rainbow Dash seemed to be in a big rush to get her out, but she didn't press why yet. She knew now wasn't the time.

“Well, Trixie needs to speak to Twilight Sparkle and all of her friends.”

Immediately assuming a defensive stance, Rainbow locked a death glare on Trixie.

“What do you want with my friends, Trixie?”

“No need to be so defensive.” Trixie said while raising a hoof, indicating Dash has the wrong idea. “Trixie said she needed to talk. You are one of Twilight's friends, are you not? You will be present too.” Closing her eyes and smiling, Trixie just had to add one more remark. “However, regardless of how strong your urges may become, you are not to come on to Trixie.”

Grinning in triumph, Trixie waited for Dash to explode on her...only it never came.

“Trixie, if I could avoid it, I would never contact you again, and I would make sure that none of MY friends did either.”

“O-oh, I see.” Trixie said with a air of dejection.

There was a short pause between the two.

“...Not that I care or anything Trixie...but what's wrong?”

“No,” Trixie said with a sigh “Trixie is being stupid. Take Trixie to her trailer so that she may leave.”

“No, I HATE it when ponies do that! You can't just...sigh sadly and then NOT tell me what's wrong! That's just like when somepony says 'Hey, I have something to tell you.' and when you ask them what they're all 'Oh, never mind...' and they sound all sad and stuff. That's so annoying!”

“Well then Trixie is glad she got to annoy you!” Trixie replied, sounding rather annoyed herself. “Now if you'll excuse Trixie, she'll be headed off in peace!”

Rainbow was taken aback for a moment. She hadn't expected Trixie to react so strongly, nor for her to give up so easily, but there she was, running away. Wait...running away?

Oh, yeah, that was a thing. While Rainbow Dash was staring blankly into space, Trixie was already several hundred feet away. Well that just wouldn't do.

In a matter of seconds, Rainbow Dash had already flown over and scooped up the over reactive mare, carrying her high into the air.

“Rainbow Dash, why do you keep carrying Trixie into the sky?! Just leave her be!”

“Trixie, I just want some answers! Like why do you need to see my friends? You'd better tell me!”

“Or what, you simpleton?” She replied snidely.

“Or...or I'll drop you! Bet you can't run with broken bones, can you?”

“Come now, you wouldn't dare drop Trixie.”

“And what makes you so sure of that?”

Taking a few moments to choose her words, Trixie sighed deeply before replying. “Because Trixie knows you're much kinder than that.”

“Oh yeah?” Dash said as she lowered them to the round. Trixie seemed to have calmed down enough that she wouldn't run away. “What made you so sure?”

After gently touching down, Trixie took a couple of seconds to prepare herself for her answer.

“Because flying with you...” She breathed a deep breath. “It wasn't so bad.”

There was a silent pause between the two that consist of Rainbow Dash just staring at Trixie. And was that a blush on Trixie's cheeks? ...No, no it must have been the wind and altitude...right?

“What does that have to do with anything?” Dash finally let out.

“Trixie doesn't sense any malice from you. You're a good natured pony, one should think. Now then, tonight’s' little escapade has left Trixie quite tired, return her to her bed at once!”

“Yeah, how about no.” Dash said flatly. “No way am I going back there with that crazy doctor.”

“Well you can't just expect Trixie to sleep on the grass, can you? I actually have standards.”

“Weeeeeeell...” Dash said with a hint of a grin edging its ay on her face. “You could always sleep in my cloud house?”

“Sleep in your cloud house? Your cloud house? Trixie is no Pegasus, she will fall right through!”

“I know, isn't it great!” Dash said rather excitedly, belting out a few laughs for good measure.

While Dash laughed at her own joke, Trixie just face-hoofed.

“Trixie is getting tired of this. Gather your friends tomorrow morning and wait at the center of Ponyville by the fountain. Trixie will meet you there.”

Sounding a little wary again, Rainbow responded. “You still haven't told me why you're here. And it doesn't help that you keep changing your mind every five seconds!”

“Trixie will change her mind as often as she likes! And do you think Trixie is likely to do anything in public? One would think not. And although Trixie is loathe to admit it, if Twilight Sparkle is there, wouldn't you all be safe anyway? She possess more magical ability than myself...for now.” She added as an afterthought.

“Yeah, well, you better not try anything funny or I'll...well I don't know but it won't be pretty.”

“No no Ms. Dash, Trixie thinks you'll find it's quite the opposite.” She said, sounding legitimately sincere.

“Yeah well, let's all hope so.” Dash replied, conversely sounding worried. “Anyway, I suppose I can carry you to the front door, at least.”

Trixie didn't say anything, but the smile of her face indicated the euphoric sense that overcame her at the prospect of flying again.

***

Bright sun and no wind was the weather for today. It really was handy having Pegasi control the weather, you didn't need to plan your schedule around 'what-if's' and 'maybes'.

Rainbow Dash, in traditional Rainbow Dash fashion, was just bursting though some clouds as her morning 'refresher'. Who needed a shower and some coffee anyway? Wet clouds would clean AND wake you up!

In fact, so far Rainbow Dash's entire morning had just consisted of some quick fly-by's through some clouds followed by, in her words, 'letting her awesomeness speak for herself'.

Well, that was enough flying for now, today was the big day! Rainbow felt sufficiently pumped and ready to go.

'Okay.' She thought in her head. 'I may have a whole day ahead of me, but I have a lot to get done. First, I gotta round up the girls and bring them all to town Square. Then, I need to deal with Trixie and whatever she wants...hopefully we can get it done with quick...then I need to confess to all of my friends individually that I love them...heh...easy.'

That wasn't doubt creeping its way into Rainbow Dash, it was...uhhh...unrefined awesome! Yeah, her body is shaking from all the adrenaline, that's it!

...But then, why did she feel so hesitant?

***

“Listen Twilight, I already told you! I don't know why Trixie came back!” Rainbow Dash huffed inside the library.

Twilight had been questioning Rainbow Dash for near fifteen minutes. The answers yielded no results.

“And you didn't question her?! This is Trixie we're dealing with here, it's not like she's come back to study the Magic of Friendship!”

“For the last time, Twilight! I DID question her, but she didn't give me any answers! We're supposed to meet her at noon – about ten minutes from now – in town square! Trixie wouldn't have the guts to try anything in public, let alone when it's six on one, so let's just go before somepony makes us late!” Rainbow Dash had flown into the air in her frustration. She didn't like raising her voice to her friends...but anypony could be dense at times, even Twilight. “Now if SOMEPONY would finish interrogating me, I could go and get the rest of our friends so we can actually find out what she wants.”

“Don't worry about that Rainbow.” Twilight said as she grabbed a quill, some ink and a scroll. “I'll go get them with my magic, you go and meet Trixie. Keep her entertained until I get there. Bye!”

As Rainbow Dash was raising her hoof in protest, Twilight had already vanished in an impressive swirl of magic. It made Rainbow wonder if Trixie could teleport...she sure hoped not, because she could be a LOT more annoying that way...

***

“Darn it, Trixie! Talking to you is just like talking to Twilight. I don't know, so stop asking!”

Trixie was already waiting when Dash arrived, however she did seem a bit...fidgety. Especially when she noticed Dash had shown up alone.

Although Rainbow Dash had recounted the entire story of her conversation with Twilight, as per Trixie's request, Trixie still continued to ask questions that Rainbow Dash just didn't have the answer to.

“Well that does Trixie no good! Trixie wants to know how Twilight sounded. Did she seem happy? Or scared? Angry? And when are they going to get here anyway?”

They'd been going at this for minutes now. Trixie really was being very antsy about the situation, something that seemed a little out of character to Rainbow Dash. Granted, she didn't really know Trixie at all, but Trixie always seemed like the kind of pony to be able to keep her cool in most situations.

“Five minutes! Okay?! They'll be here in five minutes, so if you'll just shut up and wait, we can get this over with so that I can speak to them!”

“Trixie thinks you're simply saying a number to make her feel good.”

“Of course I am! Now be quiet!” Dash said as she flapped her wings to face the other direction, crossing her hooves as she did so. She rolled her eyes at how immature Trixie was being, which is definitely saying something considering how childish Dash was herself.

As Rainbow turned back around, she saw Trixie had a look of contemplation take over. She seemed to be staring at nothing in particular, ears flattened, one hoof on her chin.

Some seconds later, she turned towards her chromatic 'friend'.

“Trixie has another question.”

'I swear to Celestia...' The now-further agitated Rainbow Dash thought. 'If she asks about Twilight one more time, I think I'm gonna kick her.'

She landed heavily on the ground, turning to face Trixie as she did.

“Yes, Trixie?” She asked, intentionally trying to sound angry.

It didn't seem to bother the show-mare at all.

“You said that you need to speak to your friends too, as if it was some big development. What did you need to talk about, and should Trixie be present?”

Oh. Well that was...unnervingly opposed to what she was expecting.

“Y-you don't need to worry about that!” Although she was feigning confidence, Trixie could see the faint blush on Dash's cheeks, even as she turned away and tried to hide it.

Well she HAD to know now.

“What if Trixie said please? Trixie never says please.”

While Rainbow didn't doubt Trixie's ability to never be polite, something so small wasn't about to loosen Dash's lips.

“No. It's none of your business.”

“If you tell Trixie, she'll stop bothering you about it.” Trixie pointed out.

Admittedly, that offer actually didn't sound too bad, but still it was no.

“Hey, remember when you were quiet a minute ago? Yeah, neither do I.” Dash took a second to laugh at her own poor joke while Trixie stood unamused. “But do you think you could start?”

“Yes, Trixie can be silent, for a price. The fee is one secret of Trixie's choice.”

“That's just sad.”

“What's sad is a so-called 'brave' Pegasus who's scared of a few words.”

“Are you calling me a coward?” Rainbow asked, sounding legitimately offended.

“Oh no, no no no no no - heh - yeah.”

“Nobody calls me a coward!”

“Oh?” The smug look that overtook Trixie seemed to exude imminent victory. “Then prove me wrong.”

“Grrr....fine! If you MUST know, since it doesn't matter anyway once I kick you outta here, today is the day I...I...”

“You what? Stutter in place like an idiot?”

“Today I'm going to confess to my friends that I LOVE THEM! Now be quiet and leave me alone!”

As the angry Rainbow Dash finished her heated sentence, Trixie seemed to noticeably shrink a bit from Dash's direction.

“Hey, no need to be scared. Even though you've been really annoying I'm not going to hurt you.” She raised a hoof to her chin to think for a second. “Well, not YET anyway.”

“You moronic fool, that's not why Trixie is backing up. THAT” She gestured behind Dash “is the cause.”

“Oh yeah? And what's that?”

Rainbow turned behind her to notice the five of her friends strewn about behind her. Twilight must have just teleported herself and the gang here.

“Oh, FINALLY! Thanks girls, you've no idea how annoying Trixie is. She even made me just tell her that I – oh. Oh wait a second, I just – and you girls were – and I...oh.”

Rainbow looked at her group of friends, and noticed how none of them could quite meet her eye. Then she glanced at Trixie, who seemed to be doing much of the same.

“Uhh, girls, I uh...I-I-”

“Rainbow Dash here was just telling Trixie how much she loved her friends. After I insulted you all, she got really defensive, and decided that she hadn't shown you all the appreciation you deserve recently...so she was planning on giving you all what was sure to be a very touching and heartfelt confession of just how much she cared for you.”

To Trixie's credit, the lie was beautifully crafted for only having a few seconds. She looked over at Dash who, on top of still looking absolutely mortified, also seemed to have a questioning face that Trixie interpreted as 'what are you doing?!' 'Saving your hide!' Was Trixie's mental reply.

“Which is exactly what Trixie has gathered you all here for! See how strongly Rainbow Dash reacted in the defense of her friends?”

Trixie seemed to have taken complete control over the situation, something Dash was eternally grateful for. Other than the knowing look she got from Fluttershy, none of her other friends seemed to understand the situation (or were too preoccupied with Trixie) enough to know the truth yet.

“Yeah Trixie, an' y'all can expect us to have Rainbow's back too, so ya better watch what ya say from here on!” Applejack said as she took a step forward. “Twilight says you've got a reason for bein' here, but nopony knows it. Well let's quite messin' around and jus' tell us already!”

“That, right there! That's what Trixie is here for.” Trixie replied. Applejack didn't seem to comprehend, if the questioning face was any indication. “Trixie has traveled far and wide, yet no matter how much she trains, she seems to have hit a ceiling. A plateau, if you will. No matter where, when, or how Trixie has trained, she can not get any stronger...but Trixie has seen how strong you are in each others defense! I wish to partake in such acts.”

Twilight went wide-eyed at the realization.

“Wait, Trixie, does this mean you're here to-”

“Yes, Twilight...Trixie is here to – ugh - study the magic of friendship.” She gagged out.