The dinner… it was obviously late. Starlight Glimmer apologized to Princess Celestia — after all, she had just caused an important dinner with the most important figure of Equestria to be late. But, kind as Celestia was, she understood Starlight’s reasons and even showed how proud of both Twilight and Starlight she was. In the past, Starlight would never save somepony she met just a day ago from being eaten by a Manticore! Actually, she wouldn’t have used her magic for the good at all in the past — it was abig change. And Celestia knew it; Twilight had told her everything.
Princess Celestia was surprised to have Trixie coming along. She remembered of her, of course. She knew Trixie was somepony who had a toxic past, like Starlight Glimmer. Trixie expected Celestia would treat her badly, knowing what she had done in the past, but she actually was really kind to her. Trixie’s thoughts alternated between ‘why, of course she did; I’m great and powerful!’ and ‘thank you so much…’.
The Great and Powerful Trixie was happy! Starlight could see that in her expression. It was a smile, one she felt like she could see as many times as she was permitted to. But maybe that was silly — she had just met her! But Starlight felt like seeing Trixie happy made her happy, and there was a good reason for it. Starlight was, after the brief and late dinner, still thinking about Trixie’s show.
By what Trixie told her about her past, she could be… reckless. But that? It wasn’t just reckless, Starlight knew it. It was probably more than that. It seriously worried her. Maybe she was just being paranoid; maybe she cared too much for Trixie because she truly understood her… still, she had to have a talk. Starlight knew she and Trixie would have to talk before she was gone again.
It truly was sad. Starlight didn’t want to say ‘goodbye’, but Trixie had other places to be. And Starlight couldn’t leave Ponyville, her lessons, and Twilight behind just like that. She would miss all that, but she would also miss Trixie. Trixie had promised Starlight she would visit as often as she could. It was great that way.
Trixie was packing her things into her wagon which was parked right in front of Twilight’s castle, ready to go, when Starlight came to her.
“Came to say goodbye to the Great and Powerful Trixie again, I see, Glimmering Assistant,” Trixie murmured, pulling off her cape and hat, and stashing them somewhere in the wagon. “Couldn’t live a few minutes without me?”
Starlight rolled her eyes, snorting. “Of course, Trixie…” she coughed. “I just came because of that and… I need to ask you something, if you want to answer me, of course,” Starlight let out, in a unusually nervous way.
Trixie smirked, turning to Starlight. “Trixie is at your disposal. What is it?”
Starlight trotted closer and sat on the wooden step of the wagon. Trixie did the same, sitting beside her with a curious look. “I wanted to say… you were pretty… courageous with that trick, but I was also worried.” Starlight frowned. “I’ve only known you a little while, but that doesn’t change the fact I am your friend.”
“Where are you going with this? Trixie already knows we are friends!” Trixie pulled Starlight into a half hug, smiling. “You’re my best friend.” She smiled at Starlight.
Starlight felt calmer with that genuine bright smile of hers. “Yes, but… that’s why I was so worried!” Starlight exclaimed suddenly. “I… when I ran off, I… I wasn’t going to stay close, I was actually going back to the castle, but then I realized you… could get hurt. Seriously hurt…”
Trixie’s eyes widened, and she lowered her ears. “You really stayed for me?”
“Yeah… I knew you weren’t going to desist or let your dream of doing that trick go. I didn’t want you to let it go… but…” Starlight sighed. “You know that you could have been a goner by now.” She frowned, worried at Trixie again, closing her eyes for a moment. “And I don’t know… something tells me you were doing that on purpose. Putting yourself at risk like that… Trixie you—”
It was like pulling a trigger. She stopped, she heard a sob. Starlight opened her eyes.
“T-Trixie, why are you crying? H-hey, stop that.” Starlight wiped a tear that had run down Trixie’s cheek. “What is happening?”
“How are you so smart? I…” Trixie sniffed. “I just… I thought I w-would… you would hate me, forever.” Trixie sat quietly, sniffing again, trying to restrain her tears. “Y-you’re my only true friend, Starlight… my first one.”
Starlight’ eyes widened. “What?”
“Pathetic right?” Trixie laughed sadly. “Trixie was so… I mean, I am still so full of myself. Nopony ever wanted to or would ever want to be friends with somepony like me. All I thought of — and sometimes still think of — is m-myself.” She lowered her head, staring at her hooves. “The thing’s that when you care so much about yourself and don’t give a hay about other ponies… they kind of just stay away from you. I was just a… stupid mare who always wanted to be important and full of power.”
Starlight stared at her quietly. “I… I’m so sorry, Trixie, I didn’t want to make you sad, I—”
“You didn’t!” Trixie exclaimed suddenly, make Starlight jump a little. “I always wanted to look so ‘Great and Powerful’” — she let out a ugly sob — “but all I ever managed to be was a failure… but you? You think I’m… as great as I say I-I am…” She laughed, now Starlight couldn’t tell if she was crying from sadness or happiness; probably a weird mix of both. “I… when I thought I was going to lose my only friend… I felt like a failure again.”
Trixie paused, Starlight cleaning her tears again. Trixie smiled and sighed.
“But then you saved me… I… you’re right. I didn’t do that just to show off.” Trixie finally admitted, feeling ashamed of herself. Starlight widened her eyes, then frowned sadly. “I know that’s wrong, and… now I know I’m not a failure” — she stopped staring at her hooves to give Starlight another smile — “because of you, Glimmering Assistant.”
Starlight could feel her own eyes getting misty. She sighed and hugged Trixie. “Why didn’t you tell me about how you felt?”
“Because… Trixie never thought you would care. Nopony ever did, so why would you?” Trixie whispered back.
Starlight backed off, giving her a kind smile. “I do, because I understand you Trixie. The fear of failure, my past… Trixie, can you promise something else aside from visiting us?” she asked. Trixie nodded. “Never think like that of yourself ever again, okay? And if you need to vent” — she paused, wiping away the last of Trixie’s tears — “send me a letter.”
Trixie chuckled, quiet for a moment. Suddenly she hugged Starlight, making the other smile. “T-thank you, Glimmering Assistant.”
Starlight laughed. She loved that nickname. “That’s what best friends are for, Trixie.”
They hugged for some time, but Trixie had to leave. She gave Starlight one last goodbye and pulled her wagon away, with a genuine smile on her face. Both were happy. And Trixie wasn't forgetting Starlight’s words.
Sometimes, even megalomaniacs needed comfort — both of them knew that. And each of them was there for the other when they needed somepony. Both were happy that way.
