“Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting” – William Arthur Ward
Everypony knows the story of The Great and Powerful Trixie, how she was humiliated and bested by Twilight Sparkle and she left Ponyville soon after. Then she acquired a powerful ancient artifact called The Alicorn Amulet and it gave her immense power, enough to rival or even best Twilight, but it corrupts its user and makes them lust for power; to the point of them completely disregarding reasonable thought and logic. Using the amulet Trixie terrorized Ponyville, especially The Element of Harmony bearers.
When Twilight tricked Trixie into removing the Alicorn Amulet, it broke its evil influence on the trickster; returning her to normal. Being humiliated once again by Twilight and the only thing powerful enough to compete with the lavender unicorn’s magic no longer in her possession (not to mention destroyed), Trixie was finally defeated and she left Ponyville again. Everypony figured that was the last time Trixie would show her face in Ponyville, they figured she was too humiliated or maybe too afraid to come back.
The plan was for Trixie to try her act elsewhere, but plans tend to change and The Great and Powerful Trixie is no exception. Trixie had let her vow of revenge go, in its place was a seemingly foreign concept for this young mare; seeking forgiveness for everything. Trixie wants to seek forgiveness from all the ponies she had wronged, but none more so than Twilight Sparkle. The rival in which Trixie has been bested twice, but she is turning over a new leaf.
Winter had descended upon Ponyville and with it a mighty blizzard, coating the land in a blanket of snow at least three feet thick. Everypony who has nowhere to be, stay inside by the warm hearth and they enjoy some hot cocoa or a nice cup of hot tea; while they curl up with a good book or their special somepony. All the animals are either hibernating or are all cozy within their den or cave, all the birds have flown south following the fading summer’s warmth. Ponies preparing for Hearth’s Warming Eve were bundled up to the point of appearing like giant colorful marshmallows with tails. There was one mare however that was severely underdressed to brave the cold, but the winter chill is nothing compared to the freezing void she feels in her heart. The Great and Powerful Trixie has returned to Ponyville with a noble purpose in hoof, mind and soul.
Twilight Sparkle and Spike were sitting in the living room of the library with the hearth burning strong, sipping hot cocoa and reading a hearth’s warming mystery novel.
“…and with the sack of presents found, Saffron Snowflake was able to deliver the gifts to all of the good little colts and fillies; restoring their belief in Santa Hooves and Hearth’s Warming” Twilight read, Spike nodding on and off beside her. “Is a certain young dragon ready for bed?”
“Huh…what did you say Twilight?” Spike shook his head, in a vain attempt to wake up.
Twilight rolled her eyes “I asked if you were tired?”
Spike shook his head vigorously “What no, I’m not tired.”
“Are you su-” Twilight was interrupted by a faint knocking coming from downstairs.
“D…di…did you hear that?” Spike stuttered, trembling
Twilight sighed “Spike that is just somepony at the door, not anything to be scared of.”
“Heh-heh I knew that” Spike said
Twilight trotted towards the stairs down to the library; Spike just stood there, his gaze following his surrogate sister until she put her forehooves on the top step.
“Twilight wait up” Spike ran over behind Twilight and followed her downstairs.
“What pony in their right mind goes anywhere in this storm; especially at night, it must be very important.”
The knocking soon became frantic thumps and Twilight levitated a scarf around her neck, before she approached the door. She swiftly unlocked the door and reefed it open, fighting the wind the entire time. On the other side of the door; stood a half frozen magician, her foreleg frozen mid-knock and her whole body coated in at least an inch-thick layer of snow and ice.
“T…t…t… Twilight Sp…spa… Sparkle” Trixie breathed, before collapsing face first in the snow.
“Who was at the door Twilight?” Spike asked from the stairwell, as he remained on the bottom step.
Twilight’s pinned her ears back “It’s Trixie and she nearly froze, standing out there.”
Spike grit his teeth “What is she doing here?”
“I don’t know Spike, but right now she really needs our help” Twilight urged
Twilight levitated Trixie into the library and slammed the door behind her, closing out the freezing winter wind and placed the magician onto her back.
“Spike please make another cup of hot cocoa.”
“On it Twilight” Spike saluted, before rushing off to the kitchen.
The purple unicorn carried her unconscious rival upstairs and placed her in front of the hearth; rushing off and then she came back with a large quilt, that she draped over the freezing mare.
“Come on Spike” Twilight could tell the blanket wasn’t helping and could still clearly see that Trixie was still shivering violently. “As much trouble as Trixie has caused, I really don’t want her to die.”
“Twilight I’m almost done” Spike shouted from the kitchen.
Seeing Trixie in such a state of duress, really started weighing on Twilight’s mind; she knew what needed to be done. Twilight levitated the quilt up and laid down right against Trixie sharing her body’s warmth; making sure the blanket fell on top of them both, then she tucked in the edges with her magic.
Spike came into the living room with the cocoa. “Twilight I got the hot… what are you doing with her?”
“Look Spike the blanket and the fire weren’t helping; I know body heat can be used to warm somepony that is freezing, so I’m doing that” Twilight explained, as Trixie slowly regained conciousness.
“Wha… Twilight you… why are you… so I made it… you saved me again.”
“Try not speak Trixie, you are probably weakened from frostbite.”
Trixie looked at Twilight through half-lidded eyes. “I need to… tell you some…thing.”
“What is so important, that you had to brave that terrible weather out there" - Twilight gestured her hoof toward a window, where the raging blizzard could be seen - "Just to tell me?”
“I came back to… to Ponyville to make amends, to apologize to everypony… but especially to you.”
“No big secret revenge plot? You don’t expect me to believe you?”
“That would be too easy… I don’t deserve that… I half expected you to slam the door in my face.”
“I wasn’t about to let you freeze, nopony deserves that.”
Trixie chuckled, wiping perspiration off her brow. “I’m so glad you feel that way.”
“Here Trixie, Spike made an extra cup of cocoa for you” Twilight levitated the cup in the front of Trixie, taking care not to spill the contents.
Trixie smiled weakly “Thank you Spike” she tried taking it into her own magic; a spark appeared for a moment, before it sputtered and then dissipated. “It appears my magic isn’t working right now.”
“Your body’s condition appears to be interfering with your magical ability.”
Trixie sighed “How long until I can use magic again.”
“I would say you should be okay in a few hours, a day at the most”
Spike yawned, rubbing his eyes. “I think I’m gonna turn in Twilight, you two okay out here?” Spike asked, narrowing his eyes at Trixie.
“We will be fine Spike; you go on to bed.”
“Okay night.”
“Good night Spike” Both mares chorused.
Twilight levitated the cup of cocoa in front of Trixie and helped her take a sip.
“Thank you Twilight, I didn’t account for my magic problem.”
“No problem Trixie, everypony needs help sometimes” Twilight glanced at the clock and yawned, but she ignored the time; actually enjoying Trixie’s presence for once. “Would you like to read a book?”
“Isn’t it getting kind of late? I wouldn’t want to interrupt your sleep schedule.”
“I stay up later then this studying…, more than I care to admit.”
“Well if it’s all right with you Twilight…, I would like to learn some more magic, but…”
“What’s the problem Trixie?”
“I um… well to be honest, I only know how to do a total of three spells; I have tried others, but they all failed spectacularly.”
Twilight thought about it for a moment “I could teach you, but you have to promise not to hurt anypony again.”
“You would help me just like that?” Trixie stared at Twilight perplexed.
“I will admit I don’t fully trust you, but if you are willing to almost freeze to death to apologize; that at least buys you some points with me.”
“You are really willing to teach me?”
“I will take you under my wing and teach you what I know… that is if you are ready for a strict teacher?”
“Could I ask one more thing of you?”
“Go ahead.”
“Can you teach me about friendship too?” Trixie gave Twilight the best puppy dog eyes she could muster
“I don’t see what” – Twilight realized – “Oh... I think I can teach you a little bit about friendship while we’re at it…, but not tonight.”
“Yeah you’re right… about that book.”
“I think this one” -Twilight levitated a book off a nearby table, in front of them – “it’s a story about a friendship between two fillies, it’s sort of scary though” Twilight and Trixie read the book together until sleep overtook both little bookworms.
As morning dawned over Ponyville, Twilight and Trixie lay cuddled under the quilt; a fire just barely burning in the nearby hearth, a book laying open beside them. As they began stirring a log crackled, making them hug tight and scream in unison. There was a loud thump, and then Spike’s hurried footsteps could be heard and he appeared in the doorway slightly dazed; though he looked ready for a fight with his claws balled into fists.
“What’s wrong Twilight?”
“I’m sorry for waking you Spike, we were startled by the fire settling.”
“What book did you read this time?”
“Just this -” Twilight looked at the cover “- oh… that explains it” She flipped it over, revealing the cover to Spike.
On the cover was an earth pony filly and a pegasi filly, both staring straight ahead with empty eyes; a massive evil castle looming in the distance, with the words ‘The Forsaken Forest & The Dread Castle’ across the top.
“No wonder that book probably really scared you both, just the cover creeps me out” Spike shuddered, before Twilight placed the book on the table again.
“We don’t have anything scheduled today Spike, if you want to go back to sleep.”
“Alright I will go do that, you know where I’ll be if you need me.”
“I know sleep well.”
“I will Twilight” Spike turned to start back toward his room, then disappeared down the hall.
“Are you ready to apologize to Ponyville?”
“The sooner I apologize, maybe the sooner I can make it up to everypony.”
“I will walk with you to Town Hall, if you want?”
Trixie thought for a moment “I'd like that; please.”
Twilight and Trixie walked side by side as the made their way across town, the few ponies walking around just staring at the unlikely duo. One rainbow-maned pony in particular noticed, apparently taking offense and she immediately flew off toward Sweet Apple Acres for a bit of back up.
Trixie took notice of the rainbow blur blazing through the sky, but she had absolutely no way to stop her. “Rainbow Dash saw us and I don’t think she was very happy.”
Twilight looked over to Trixie “Don’t worry about my friends I’ll handle them; you just get ready to apologize to... well everypony.”
Running into Mayor Mare, Trixie requested a town meeting to formally apologize to the entirety of Ponyville, including Zecora if she was in town; Mayor Mare looked a bit… perplexed.
“Trixie came to me last night… during the blizzard, just to apologize to me” - Twilight smiled at Trixie reassuringly – “She had almost died trying to make amends… I didn’t believe her at first, but I now know she is sincere.”
Mayor Mare looked at Trixie and then at Twilight, mulling over the tirade of information. “Well Twilight if you believe Trixie is sincere, then I will be happy to organize the meeting for this morning.”
Twilight and Trixie looked at each other, before Trixie answered “Thank you Mayor Mare.”
Mayor Mare smiled calmly “Good luck Miss Lulamoon.”
It was time for the meeting and almost everypony from Ponyville were gathered in the town hall, Trixie was behind a curtain with Twilight standing beside her; Rainbow Dash and the rest of Twilight’s friends had not arrived yet.
Trixie's stomach twisted painfully and made an unsightly gurgle “The Great and Powerful Trixie doesn’t feel so good.”
Twilight placed a hoof on Trixie's shoulder for reassurance “It’s okay to be nervous Trixie, apologizing to somepony you have wronged is never easy; a whole town is more involved, more ponies to make amends with."
Soon enough the other five Elements of Harmony arrived for the meeting; both Rainbow Dash and Applejack appeared agitated, while Pinkie and Rarity appeared only slightly peeved and Fluttershy was nervous like normal. Twilight closed her eyes and took a deep breath, before trotting on stage in front of the entirety of Ponyville.
“Mares and Gentlecolts, this meeting was called so somepony can apologize to everypony for every misdeed she has committed to us all. She almost froze to death last night, trying to make amends to me. I’m not asking you to forgive her that’s on you, all I ask is that you listen to what she has to say… please go easy on her, she isn’t fully recovered from her brush with death; even though she claims otherwise” – Twilight gestured backstage with a hoof – “Come on out Trixie.”
Trixie slowly trotted on stage, her head down as the sound of grumbling and boos reached her ears; further back Dash and AJ flared their nostrils and narrowing their eyes at both Trixie and to a lesser extent Twilight.
“I am sorry ev…” Somepony threw a snowball at Trixie, hitting her square in the face.
“Who threw that?” Mayor Mare asked, a very slight amount of anger evident in her tone. “I organized this meeting for Miss Lulamoon, when Miss Sparkle vouched for her sincerity; there isn’t to be any more of that kind of behavior, unless they want the Princesses to get involved, are we clear?”
Any ponies that planned to throw anything stopped in their tracks, as they all hurriedly hid whatever weapon they had and tried to act nonchalant.
Trixie started again “I have come to say sorry… I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I hope that you will all give me a chance to make amends for all the misfortune I caused and then in time maybe I can earn everyponies forgiveness… that is all I wished to say and I’m sorry for taking up any of your time” Trixie left the stage just as she had walked on, though her head was held a little higher.
Almost everypony had filed out of the town hall; besides Trixie and Twilight, only the five other Element Bearers remained inside.
“Trixie just stay here; I will talk to my friends.”
“Okay Twilight, don’t do something you’ll regret just for me.”
“Don’t worry, I think I have an idea.”
Twilight trotted over to her friends, her mind’s wheels turning as she tried to come up with a plan “Hey girls… how’s it going?”
Rainbow Dash took charge “Hey Twilight, you’re awfully friendly with Trixie all of the sudden… what gives?”
Applejack voiced her thought “Yea last time the two of ya saw each other, Trixie tried to make ya leave Ponyville forever.”
“That’s very true Applejack, but that was the Alicorn amulet’s dark influence affecting Trixie’s mind. I saw a whole other side to Trixie last night Rainbow Dash; she was different… vulnerable even, her arrogant attitude was nonexistent.”
Rarity blinked twice, before commenting “That still doesn’t mean Trixie has changed though, darling.”
“I know that, Rarity but something is telling me, Trixie is changing and I think for the better.”
Pinkie Pie froze mid-bounce “But Trixie is mean, taking my mouth away; why would the writers, allow her to do that?”
Twilight just stared, slack-jawed at Pinkie “What? That doesn’t make any sense Pinkie.”
Pinkie opened and closed her mouth multiple times, before any words came “Whaat… I was just asking why the writers, made Trixie be mean to us.”
Twilight’s hoof met her forehead, her mane fraying wildly; Pinkie’s irrational logic driving her insane “Pinkie please just stop breaking logic, you’re giving me a migraine.”
Trixie just stood there witnessing her ex-rival trying to defend her, unsure whether or not to give her own opinion. “I never wanted to cause this” Her mind made up, she trotted toward the other six ponies.
“Please stop defending me, Twilight it’s only right they feel this way; I don’t expect forgiveness to be easy” Trixie steeled herself for the various digs she was gonna receive, but none came. Instead before Trixie knew it, somepony’s foreleg was draped across her back; pulling her close against them, making her face heat up.
Twilight forced a smile, swallowing her indignation roughly “Come with me, Trixie… Let’s go for walk or something; I need to clear my head” Twilight glared at her friends once more; then she walked out into the biting wind, not even bothering to see if Trixie was following her or not.
Rainbow smirked, before narrowing her gaze “You might have Twilight fooled, but I know your games and I’m not buying it; not for a second.”
Trixie looked betwixt the five mares, locked in a proverbial stand-off; despite her brain urging her to run, Trixie remained cemented in place. “I didn’t expect anypony to believe I want to make amends, especially you five and Twilight; I do hope however that you accept that I truly have changed.”
Rainbow rolled her eyes, then frowned “Whatever you say, Trixie.”
Pinkie piped up “Don’t throw my mouth away again, you big meanie.”
Trixie was perplexed, until she realized what Pinkie had meant “I’m sorry I did that to you, Pinkie Pie; I can’t do that anymore, not without the Alicorn Amulet.”
“Tha’ was broken up though righ’? Ah can’t say it ain’t good riddance” Applejack adjusted her Stetson, then looked at the clock “Ah best be headin’ home or Big Mac will have mah hide, fer not helpin’ ‘im with chores; gotta go girls and good luck with yer amend makin’ Trixie.”
Trixie was surprised by Applejack, but it did make her smile a little “Thank you Applejack, good luck with your chores.”
Applejack decided to acknowledge Trixie's comment “Than’ ya kindly, Trixie” - She tipped her head, then began trotting toward the door - “See ya later girls.”
“Goodbye Applejack” Trixie said
“See ya AJ” Rainbow said
“Bye Applejack” Fluttershy whispered
Rarity gave a dainty wave “Au revoir, Applejack darling.”
Pinkie got in Applejack’s face, making AJ’s Stetson fly off her head and land atop Pinkie’s head. Pinkie froze, then carefully returned it the farm pony. Pinkie giggled nervously, her mane deflating ever so slightly “Heh-heh… I’m sorry, Applejack.”
Applejack snorted “Tha’s alright Pinkie Pie, I forgive ya sugarcube.”
Pinkie wrapped Applejack in a large hug, almost knocking her hat off a second time “Goodbye, Applejack.”
“Bye Pinkie Pie” Applejack said, before leaving and heading home.
“I’ve got to go feed some animals… bye” Fluttershy zipped off toward her cottage, far faster than Shy’s normal speed.
Rarity, ever the dramatic gasped “Oh my gosh, I completely neglected my dress orders… I mustn’t let this travesty ruin my reputation; I must remedy this immediately. I am off, goodbye you three.”
“Goodbye Rarity and good luck” Trixie said
“See ya Rarity” Rainbow and Pinkie chorused.
Pinkie pulled a cuckoo clock out of nowhere and checked the time, then just tossed it away “I gotta go whip up some cupcakes… do you want to come help me Dashie?”
“I don’t think that’s a very good idea Pinkie, you still remember what happened last time?”
“Oh come on Rainbow Dash, you don’t have to cook anything; you can just help me make the batter.”
Rainbow groaned, screwing up her face “I don’t know; I wouldn’t want to ruin another batch of cupcakes... again.”
“Please Dashie, it’s more fun cooking with you” Pinkie begged, tears forming in her eyes.
Rainbow sighed, fluttering her wings “Alright Pinkie I will help you; just please don’t cry, it makes me feel bad.”
Pinkie wiped her eyes with her foreleg “Sorry Dashie, I just really like cooking with other ponies.”
Pinkie surprised Dash with a big hug and exchanged her goodbyes with Trixie, then she quickly zipped off to Sugarcube Corner.
Rainbow frowned and Trixie gave her an incredulous glance. “You got a problem, Trixie?”
“Not a one, Rainbow Dash.”
“Well good thing, I really don’t feel like rearranging your face.”
Trixie smirked “Whatever you say ‘Dashie’?”
Rainbow glared at Trixie “I don’t have time to fight with you…, so see ya later, chump.”
“Farewell Rainbow Dash.”
Rainbow blasted away after Pinkie Pie, leaving Trixie alone once again. Trixie planted her rump on the floor and grimaced when the cold floor boards came into contact with her more sensitive areas. Trixie sat there deep in thought for a couple minutes, Twilight trotted back inside and saw Trixie sitting alone. A cold blast of air drifted into the building, almost freezing both mares. Twilight walked over and placed her hoof upon Trixie’s shoulder, which made Trixie look up and lose herself within Twilight’s violet eyes.
“It’s really starting to get chilly, how about we go back to the library and warm up in front of the hearth?”
Trixie was so transfixed by Twilight’s gaze, that she totally spaced out and completely ignored what Twilight asked. Twilight gently shook Trixie to bring her back to reality; when that failed, Twilight jostled her harder and harder until it finally snapped Trixie out of her trance.
“Huh… what happened, Twilight?
“I… I don’t really know, you just zoned out. Are you okay, Trixie?” Twilight’s concern was evident in her tone.
“I think so…, I have to ask, what did you tell me before I zoned out?”
“I asked if you wanted to back to the library and sit in front of the hearth to warm up?”
Trixie rolled the question over in her head, weighing options and deliberating on the possible consequences of each. If that issue wasn’t bad enough, feelings that Trixie never felt before are stirring and they are leaving her confused; if not slightly nauseated.
“I really like that idea, Twilight.”
Twilight smiled “Okay let’s go get warm, my rump is freezing.”
“I think mine might be frozen to the floor, as well as some other sensitive areas.”
Twilight looked underneath Trixie and sure enough both her rump and plot actually appeared to be frozen to the floor boards. Without warning Twilight fired a warming spell at Trixie’s backside, heating her up just enough to free her.
Trixie moaned at the warm sensation that coursed through her entire body. “Oh my Celestia.”
Twilight giggled at Trixie’s reaction “Hehe did you enjoy that, Trixie?”
Trixie blanched “You could have warned me, you know; although I did like it, but please don’t tell anypony.”
A playful smirk danced across Twilight’s muzzle “My lips are sealed” – She crossed her heart, then pointed at her eye – “I pinkie promise.”
Twilight and Trixie trotted side by side back to Golden Oaks, stopping only once so a few foals playing in snow didn’t run them over. As both ponies walked into the library proper and shook off any snow; on the table sat a hastily scrawled note, a few claw marks marring the page.
Trixie noticed the note first, immediately pointing it out to Twilight “Hey Twilight I think Spike wrote you a note, it’s on that table” She gestured toward it with her fore hoof.
Twilight smiled and sighed inwardly “Spike says he went to Rarity’s house and he will be back in a few hours.”
Trixie gulped, blanching as she thought about her next words wisely “S…s…so that means we have a f…f…few hours alone.”
Twilight frowned “Is that a problem?”
Trixie shook her head profusely “N…n…no please do not misunderstand; it’s just I feel different around you, there’s no expectations with you. I just wish I that could have realized my mistakes before I nearly destroyed Ponyville, then I had been corrupted by the Alicorn Amulet and almost killed you with it. I never wanted to hurt anypony physically or otherwise, I just wanted to entertain and maybe make a few bits to live comfortably; it was never meant to spiral into chaos; my ego swelled too much and I became too ambitious and reckless.”
“I make you feel different, how?”
Trixie closed her eyes and took a deep breath, psyching herself for what she would say next “Since I came back to Ponyville with my want for revenge lost and you saved me; the anger that I would have felt normally was gone, instead it has been replaced by butterflies in my stomach and a lump in my throat every time we are alone. I didn’t believe it at first, but I think I might be falling for you, Twilight; it’s alright if you don’t reciprocate those feelings, I just wanted you to know.”
Twilight’s gasped “Now I’m glad I decided to forgive you.”
Trixie’s eyes widened “You mean you like mares too?”
Twilight pulled Trixie into an embrace and smiled “Surprise my little Trickster.”
Both mares spent the remaining hours of morning cuddling by the fire, a saucy romance novel in front of them and a ruddy blush adorning both of their snouts.
“Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting”
