Was There Ever Any Doubt?

by PhibbyRizo

Rating: teen
Tags: Romance, Trixie, Twilight Sparkle, Sad, Main 6, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 27112

Lonely and alone, Trixie returns to Ponyville. She hopes things will be better this time.

After traveling Equestria and finding no place she belongs Trixie returns to the one place that felt different; Ponyville. She has chosen to swallow a little (just a little) bit of her pride in order to ask the only pony to ever have impressed her for help. She wants Twilight Sparkle to become her teacher in magic...and in the ways of friendship. She hopes to improve herself, but she keeps having these second thoughts...

This story is told while alternating viewpoints between Trixie and Twilight Sparkle. The ~~~~ symbolizes a perspective change.

This story was originally inspired by the song Second Chances by Aviators. This musician is amazing, I highly recommend checking him out at http://www.youtube.com/user/SoundOfTheAviators
The cover image was drawn by the talented Crenair. Be sure to check out his gallery!
The OC Silver Lining belongs to Player 3, a big thank you for his use.

Also big news! The Mike is adapting this story into a visual novel! The beta can be found at http://www.mediafire.com/?5ntkcdtsn1m33ot or at his deviantart http://thebiancoangelo.deviantart.com/#/d5dql86

This has not been forgotten. Update coming soon!

Published 2012-08-09 09:54:05 UTC
Last updated 2012-11-16 07:18:06 UTC

Chapter 1: Going Back

~~~~~~Trixie~~~~~

It had been a long time since I was last here. After traveling all across Equestria, this was the place I had chosen to return to: Ponyville. For some reason I couldn’t put my hoof on, this seemed like the only place I could return to. Of all the places I had been, the result had always been the same; I was not welcome. While I really doubted my return to Ponyville would be met favorably by anypony, it was the one place that stood out in my mind. It was the one place in all of Equestria where I had met somepony like her. If I could learn her secrets, then…maybe…

I really didn’t understand what made her so special. So maybe she might have had slightly more magical talent then me, why did everypony like her? Why does nopony like me? She showed off just as much as I did, so how come nopony pushed her away? Why did Twilight Sparkle have friends…when The Great and Powerful Trixie had none? I wanted to learn these things so, just once, I would be welcomed somewhere. So, just for a while, I wouldn’t be so lonely.

Night had just fallen when I drove my cart into Ponyville. I had thought it was best if few ponies saw me enter town. Just for the record, I wasn’t sneaking in; The Great and Powerful Trixie does not sneak. I merely planned the most opportune time for my arrival so as not to disrupt the common folk with my dazzling presence. Oh Trixie, how brilliant and considerate you are. I believe that nopony paid particular attention to my cart as it slowly made its way toward the library. If my sources were correct this is where Miss Sparkle lived. By sources I mean three rather energetic young blank-flanks that I asked for directions near the town entrance. They either didn’t recognize me or didn’t see my show last time; otherwise they might not have been as forthcoming. For some reason many ponies don’t want Trixie in their town for a repeat performance.

I parked my cart near the tree that was the town library. What type of backwater town builds houses out of trees these days anyway? Donning my cape and hat, I exited my cart. As I approached the door, a wave of nervousness fell upon me. I paused to adjust my hat and straighten my cape; I felt like a filly about to do her first show. I tried to shake off the feeling. I was a professional performer, not some amateur backyard magician. It wouldn’t leave.

She won’t say ‘yes’.

Nonsense, Trixie, there is no reason for her to turn you away.

Other than you personally insulting her and her friends? Not to mention a certain Ursa incident.

She probably has forgotten all about that. I already had forgotten myself.

She will close the door on you. She won’t want you around. Why would she?

I shook the feelings of doubt from my head. I was at her doorstep, no sense in turning back now. I was about to knock, but paused just for a second longer. I wasn’t hesitating, why would one such as I hesitate? I simply wanted to ensure that I said the right thing; you only have one shot at this Trixie! You only…

The door opened and a purple mare collided with me. I was so startled by her sudden appearance that I fell clear over. I believe her surprise equaled mine as she appeared to be left speechless; I suppose I have that effect on most ponies.

~~~~Twilight~~~

All I had wanted to do was run a few simple errands; grocery shopping, bringing a few books to Rarity, stopping at the bakery…but it seems my evening was about to head in a drastically different direction. When I opened to door to leave I ran smack into somepony who had been standing on my doorstep. I suppose she must have been more surprised than I was, seeing as I had knocked her to the ground. I was just about to apologize when I recognized her. What in the name of Celestia was Trixie doing here?

She apparently still had her flair for the dramatic. After a rather awkward pause, she literally leapt to her feet before striking a pose. Same old Trixie; she laughed for a moment (at what, I never did figure out) before loudly proclaiming her intentions.

“Aha! At last, Twilight Sparkle! I, The Great and Powerful Trixie, humbly request a private audience with you! I have traveled these many miles to speak to you. Feel free to take a moment to feel honored.”

‘Humbly’? Well, seeing how it was Trixie and that she ‘requested’ rather than ‘demanded’, I suppose it was sort of humble…for her.

“Uh…hello, Trixie. It’s…er…good to see…you?”

“Of course it is. Now I believe that Trixie, most modestly I must add, made a certain request. Are you not going to invite Trixie in?”

“Look Trixie, I was actually was about to go run some errands and really wasn’t expecting visitors. Maybe another time would be…” I trailed off. Something wasn’t quite right here. As I tried to send her away, I noticed something. Her eyes, once beaming with usual ‘Trixie-confidence’, faltered and her cocky smile faded. It was subtle, but it was there.

“I…er…Trixie understands you must be busy. Forgive her for being so presumptuous. Forget her intrusion. I’ll…I’ll leave,” she said, turning away rather quickly.

“Wait! Um…hold on a second.” I said with a sigh. I’m really not sure why I stopped her. I can’t say that I was particularly thrilled to see the flashy magician again, but the way her voice had wavered was something I couldn’t ignore. She seemed upset, but was hiding it beneath her usual bluster. We may not be friends or even on good terms, but I just felt that I shouldn’t turn her away, at least without giving her a chance to speak first.

I returned inside. Thankfully, my number one assistant didn’t seem busy.

“Spike!”

“Oh hey Twilight, back already?” he said looking up from a pile of scrolls that he was trying to stack. I think he was trying to build a card-house…but with scrolls. Considering the number strewn about the ground, he seemed less than successful.

“Well, I haven’t even left yet. Speaking of which, would it be possible for you to do the shopping for us?”

“I don’t know, Twi, I have a lot to do too, you know. Important dragon things; it’s all very complicated,” he said with a shrug, as he placed another scroll. Translated from baby-dragon-speak, he meant he was going to goof off and eat the rest of the gems he had stashed away. His tower tumbled again.

“All right then, I’ll take care of it myself. Just do me a favor and keep my guest company until I get back,” I said as I slowly walked back to the door.

“Sure sure, that shouldn’t be a…” he began, and then I opened the door. “…Problem.”

The cape-clad pony in my doorway tried to look casual, but she was standing rather rigidly. “Are you ready for Trixie?”

“You know, I think I can handle those errands for you, Twilight. No problem. In fact, I think I’ll just take my time. Yup, nothing better than errands. You two have…um…fun,” Spike said, as he scampered past Trixie as quickly as his little legs would move.

“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose,” I said. No one is ever really ready for Trixie.

~~~~Trixie~~~

I was kept waiting at the door for an uncomfortably long time. I was beginning to suspect that the door would remain shut on me when Miss Sparkle suddenly opened it, saying something to that small dragon-thing of hers. I quickly tried to mask my impatience.

“Are you ready for Trixie?” I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

The little dragon-thing muttered something about errands as he hurried past me. Twilight Sparkle took a deep breath as she motioned me inside. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose.”

I entered the library with a flourish, ensuring my cape billowed impressively behind me; I needed to make a good impression, after all. I needed to impress upon her my need for her assistance, but that was no reason not to be impressive while I was at it. After all, how could she like me if I was not impressive? I crossed the room and sat down upon a stool. Twilight followed, but at a much slower pace.

“First off, Trixie would like to thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to meet with her. Now, Trixie would greatly appreciate it if you repeat nothing you discuss here with her. We…we are alone, right?”

“Since Spike just left, no one else is here,” she said, as she took a nearby seat. “I won’t say anything. Now what did you need to talk about? And why come to me?”

“Well, the second question has a shorter answer. Let’s just say that after our last encounter you earned the respect of The Great and Powerful Trixie. That is not an easy feat, I might add. Also, she feels that you might understand her better than most.”

“Um…thanks, I guess,” she said, shifting a bit awkwardly. “I don’t know about understanding better, but I can give it a shot.”

“Well, what I…er…what Trixie wanted was more to ask of a request of you. She, um wanted to ask you if you…” I began stammering. Now that the chance to finally ask her for her guidance was here, my mouth couldn’t form the words. “Well, if you wouldn’t mind…Trixie needs….Trixie…”

“Maybe you could talk a bit easier if you dropped the whole ‘third pony’ thing. Just relax, Trixie. I’ll hear you out.”

“Trixie…oh fine. I want you to teach me,” I said quickly, before averting my gaze.

She won’t say yes. Why would she?

“Teach you? Teach you what?” she asked.

“Everything,” I said with a sigh. I stood up and took a few steps toward my prospective teacher. “I want to learn why you are so good at everything. Magic…and the other thing too.”

“Well, magic is my special talent after all. I’m not sure it is something I can just teach to another pony,” she said as she cast a glance at her cutie mark.

“But that is just it! Magic is my special talent too!” I said as I displayed my wand mark. “Yet for some reason Trixie’s…my magic is nothing close to yours!”

“I guess I see your point, but wait…what was the other thing?”

“What other thing?”

“You said you wanted to learn magic and ‘the other thing too’, didn’t you?” she inquired with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh. Right. That,” I said. I could feel my great and powerful cheeks turning red already. “Let us not sweat the details. Will you teach Trixie?"

She just rolled her eyes and shook her head. “I don’t know about this. I really don’t think that I’m the right pony, and if you can’t even tell me what you hope to learn…”

“Wait! Please do not turn Trixie down!” I admit I may have started panicking. “The other thing is…well….how should I put this? That thing you do with having everypony around you…like you.”

I turned away. It was the most embarrassing thing to say it out loud…and yet she still didn’t quite grasp my request. She didn’t say anything for a moment, but as I peeked over my shoulder I saw naught but a look of puzzlement.

“I’m not sure what you…”

“Friends, all right? Trixie never…I never …”I began. As I tried to form the words, I realized how pathetic I must sound. I felt sick admitting this in front of anyone. I took a deep breath. “Nopony likes me. I just want somepony to, I don’t know, be my…friend.”

She was silent. I couldn’t turn to look at her. What must she think of me now? I knew this was going to be difficult, but I felt utterly humiliated. I felt a tear threatening to escape, but a quickly brushed it aside. If nothing else I would rather die than cry in front of Twilight Sparkle right now. Nopony would ever see me cry. Ever. What did you expect?

“I don’t really know quite what to say, Trixie. I had no idea that you didn’t have any…”

“Just go ahead and laugh at Trixie,” I cut her off. I didn’t really want her to, but it might be easier to deal with. I dealt with people laughing at me all the time.

“What? No! I was just saying with how much confidence you have that I wouldn’t have expected that,” she said, her tone unfamiliar. It was…reassuring.

“Confidence? You mean during my shows? Ha! That is all just stage presence. How can I impress an audience if I don’t sound impressive?”

“So, all that boasting you did before was…just part of the act?”

“Well…perhaps not all of it. Trixie just plays herself up a bit so everypony can see how likable she is; yet for some reason not many ponies…okay, no pony…goes for it. I just don’t get it. They never give Trixie…me a chance.”

Twilight took a deep breath. “All right. I can’t promise I’ll be an exceptional teacher, but if you want me to, I’ll give it a shot.”

I could not believe what I just heard. I almost hugged that little mare on the spot, but Trixie managed to maintain some shred of her dignity. Instead, I just said “Thank you” as I fought back a smile.

~~~Twilight~~~

I quickly thought it over. Trixie really wasn’t asking for anything wrong…in fact she seemed to be desperately reaching out. Why she chose to reach to me, I had not the slightest clue, but I had no reason to turn her away. This seemed rather hard for her. “All right. I can’t promise I’ll be an exceptional teacher, but if you want me to, I’ll give it a shot.”

A wide mixture of emotions played on her face. She seemed to struggle for words for a moment before muttering two words rather quietly. “Thank you.”

“Why don’t you come back in the morning and we can figure out how we are going to work this out. I’ll think of a schedule of sorts in the meantime.”

She nodded before removing her hat in a sweeping bow. “Indeed. Until the morning, Twilight Sparkle! Trixie shall take her leave. Farewell!”

As she rushed out, my second thoughts rushed in. I didn’t really know Trixie all that well, and I don’t think of myself as much of a teacher. Also, I wasn’t really sure what to make of everything she said. Normally, I would take anything she said with a grain of salt, but she just seemed so sincere. I had a bad feeling about all this. I really had no reason not to believe in her…I mean, other than all the lies and boasts she said last time. It’s just that we didn’t really part on good terms, so why she chose me I really can’t put my hoof on. I was just hoping she was genuine and has no ulterior motives. If nothing else, this will let me keep an eye on her, I suppose.

Chapter 2: Good Intentions, Bad Ideas

~~~~~Trixie~~~~

I saw the sun rise that morning. Normally I am a pony who prefers her beauty rest, but my mind wouldn’t let me rest. Why must I be burdened with a mind so formidable that even I cannot silence it? Other ponies are lucky to not have such problems. I tossed and turned all night, too excited and nervous to get any sleep. On the one hoof, she said ‘yes’ and I couldn’t wait to learn the secrets to her success; but on the other…I was also afraid that I would mess everything up somehow. I didn’t want to make an even bigger foal of myself in front of Twilight Sparkle but also…I sort of wanted to make a good impression on her too. I guess I just wanted her to like me.

Once the sun had risen a bit, I threw on my cape and hat; they helped to mask my slightly disheveled look. Choosing not to seem overeager, I had waited until nearly noon before exiting my cart with a flourish. I had learned early on that I should always move dramatically in case somepony was watching. I had left my cart parked alongside the library, so it was a rather short stroll to the place of my learning. As I approached the door, the same apprehension as last night struck me. You are going to regret this. She will see right through you. Nopony ever really changes. After taking a moment to shake such errant thoughts from my head and entered the library. Greatness is not won by hesitation.

“Are you really sure about this, Twilight?” The little dragon-thing was talking with my new teacher when I entered.

“For the last time Spike, yes,” Twilight didn’t even look up from the book she was reading.

“But it’s Trixie we're talking about here! You remember what she was like the last time she came through Ponyville?”

It was clear that this ‘Spike’ wasn’t exactly my biggest fan. Obviously, they still hadn’t realized that I had entered. I was about to announce my presence when I overheard something. Something that made me feel less than great and powerful.

“I remember very well. She is rather hard to forget.” She shook her head.

“Exactly! So how can you even stand to be around her? She's so full of herself!” Spike’s words stung, but not as bad as Twilight’s.

“She may be a pain in the hindquarters, but…” The rest of her words went unheard as I stepped back out of the library.

It seemed like she didn’t really want me here, and who could blame her? I…I had just hoped that she could see that I could be better than that. She only thought of me as a ‘pain’…so much for her being my first real friend. A wave of disappointment washed over me. Should have known better. Why would she give you a chance? She’s just like everypony else.

A few deep breaths later, I calmed myself down. Giving up so easily is not the way of the Great and Powerful. Trixie did not come this far to quit over her first setback. If Twilight didn’t want to be my friend, I would just find somepony else. I even had a great idea on who that somepony would be. Miss Sparkle may not have been thrilled to have me, but she still agreed to teach Trixie, and Trixie was not about to let that get away from her. I turned back toward the doorway. Using magic, I sent a wave of smoke under the doorframe. I magically threw open the door and caused a small series of dramatic explosions to highlight my entrance.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie has arrived for her lessons!”

~~~~Twilight~~~~~

Spike would not give me a moment’s peace that morning. Ever since I let him know that Trixie would be coming over for magic lessons, he felt he needed to let me know his opinion on the matter…every fifteen minutes. It was getting close to noon, and I was surprised that my new student hadn’t shown up yet. Maybe she was nervous? I tried to do some reading to distract myself from Spike’s newest barrage of protests. He continued on, though, even going as far as to ask if I remembered what happened last time. Sighing, I continued the conversation, hoping to draw it to a close once and for all.

“I remember very well. She is rather hard to forget.”

“Exactly! So how can you even stand to be around her? She's so full of herself!”

“She may be a pain in the hindquarters but that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t deserve a second chance. Trixie could have reached out to anypony but she chose me. I don’t want to let her down.” I shot him a look to indicate that the conversation was over.

He still seemed to want to say something, but never got the chance. Smoke came from beneath the doorway just before Trixie appeared with a loud bang. “The Great and Powerful Trixie has arrived for her lessons!”

“Good morning, Trixie. Shall we get started then?” Despite my optimism, she still acted like the same old Trixie.

“Yes. Yes we shall.” If she had seemed hesitant yesterday, it wasn’t showing today. “How do you want Trixie to begin?”

“Why don’t we start off by gauging your current magical aptitude?” My words seemed to fail to make an impact, so I continued more colloquially. “Show me what you got.”

With those words, Trixie began to perform her magic. Literally. She acted as if she were on stage rather than demonstrating for an instructor. It took her over two hours to run through her entire routine; I will say that she had quite an interesting assortment of abilities. While most weren’t terribly impressive, there were a lot of them, and I couldn’t figure out how she pulled some of them off.

“Thank you for holding your applause. Trixie is finished; you may clap now.” She smiled smugly as I put my hoof over Spike’s mouth to deny him comment.

“Wow, Trixie, you have quite a variety of magical talent,” I started, before being cut off by her usual bluster.

“Thank you, thank you. I am impressive, aren’t I?” She held her head up high.

“Yes, but there are some criticisms I can make.” I had expected her to make some counterclaim, but she fell silent. She almost looked hurt, and I hadn't even really said anything yet. “You have more tricks than an average unicorn, but most of them are fairly basic and…”

“Nothing like the things you can do, right?” she finished for me. “So tell Trixie what she is doing wrong.”

“Well, um, I can’t say I saw anything really wrong with your technique. As far as I can tell, you just need to keep practicing. That’s all that I did…”

“No! That can’t be all there is to it!” Her voice rose. “Trixie has practiced all her life! Both of our talents are magic, so she should be just as good as you are!”

I wasn’t sure what to say at first. While I had thought that she was back to her old self, it seemed that Trixie was rather emotional today. She went from boastful to insecure to angry in a manner of seconds. I felt bad, but I had no idea on how to handle her. My eyes fell to the ground.

“I’m sorry. I’m not sure what to tell you.”

“Is that it then? Is there nothing you can do for...Tr…me?” She sounded dejected now.

I took a deep breath. She'd come to me, so I refused to let her down so easily. I walked over and put my hoof on her shoulder. “I didn’t say that. We’ll just have to take it slow and figure this out together. I’ll think of some tricks I can do that you didn’t show me today and start teaching you those tomorrow. I just need some time to figure out how to go about it.”

“You…you’re not giving up on me?”

“Give up? I haven’t even tried anything yet. At least give me a chance.” I smiled at her. I wanted her to feel that she came to the right pony.

She gave me an odd look; one I really wasn’t sure how to interpret. It seemed like she couldn’t figure me out. I didn’t think I had done anything odd…

“Very well Miss Sparkle,” she said, as she recovered her dignity. “Tomorrow it is then. This will give Trixie some time to practice the…the other thing in the meantime.”

“The other…oh! Right, you said you wanted some advice on making friends. I really am not sure on how to teach you that yet; I’m fairly new at it myself,” I said, shooting a glance at Spike. He was opening his mouth, but seemed to think better of whatever he was about to say. If I ever got enough teaching experience, I swore to Celestia that one day I would teach him manners.

“Yes, well, Trixie already figured out who the perfect mare for her first friend would be. She thinks she can handle this one; you can just help out if something goes wrong.”

“Fair enough, I suppose. Who are you going to talk to?” A bad feeling slowly crept over me.

“One of your friends. That way you can smooth it over if Trixie somehow manages to screw this up. Last time I came to Ponyville, I seemed to manage to singlehoofedly offend you and most of your friends…all but two. I admit that the crazy one may be a bit of a challenge for me until I get some practice, so I chose the other one.”

“Oh no, you don’t mean…” I winced.

“Of course, I chose the pegasus who didn’t come on stage. I think her name was Fluttershy.”

“Trixie, this isn’t a good idea. Fluttershy is really quiet, and you're kind of loud, so I’m not sure it's a good match.” Despite my protests, it didn’t seem like I'd be able to talk her out of it.

“Nonsense! Trixie’s plan is perfect.” Her pride had returned in full force. “After all, Trixie is the one who came up with it. We will be good friends in no time!”

“Just…take it slow with her…please?” I said, feeling like I was watching a train wreck in slow motion.

“Trixie will keep that under advisement. She will regale you with her victory story later. Farewell!” She quickly trotted out the door.

“You’re not going to stop her?” inquired Spike, as the door shut.

“I think this is one of those things she needs to learn on her own…”

“You have a bad feeling too?”

I gave him a weak smile.

~~~~Trixie~~~~~

“Farewell!” I called over my shoulder as I left Twilight’s library. I was a little disappointed with how today had gone so far, but no matter! I still had business to attend to. You knew her lessons wouldn’t help you.

While I may have been still accepting her magical charity, I had decided to handle making friends on my own. If Twilight Sparkle didn’t want to be my friend, why should she help me make friends? Fine, she could just be that way. Trixie didn’t want her as a friend anyway. She would never want to be your friend.

I slowed down as I got close to the cottage near the Everfree forest. It took me nearly two hours to reach it. Trixie, in her infinite brilliance, seemed to have forgotten to ask Miss Sparkle where Fluttershy lived. Today just hadn’t been Trixie’s day. I thought it wise to ask the local mailmare for directions, but that proved to be just another mistake. The directions the grey pegasus gave me were so confusing that I probably would have found it more easily by wandering aimlessly.

After spotting the pink-maned filly flitting about her yard, I took a deep breath and approached. I had to make an impressive entrance if she was to like me. Fluttershy seemed preoccupied with feeding some chickens, some birds, and a rabbit and…how many pets did this pony own? She didn’t see me approach, so I allowed my introduction to be pleasantly surprising.

“Ta-da!” I called out, as I appeared in front of her amid smoke and a few small fireworks. “The Great and Powerful Trixie has arrived!”

With a yelp of surprise, she fell from the sky, landed on her posterior, then backpedaled as if Trixie were a ghost. I guess her name was fitting. Personally, I always thought that my parents should have included ‘Great and Powerful’ in my name so I would be aptly named as well. One of my few (many) regrets in life.

She just stood there shaking like a leaf, so I continued. “Trixie apologizes if she startled you. You are Fluttershy, if Trixie is not mistaken?”

I knew I was correct, but I thought that since she wasn’t saying anything, I had better take charge of the conversation. For some reason, it wasn’t working the way I had envisioned. She only made a soft squeaking noise; I took that as a ‘yes’. I tried to approach, but for every step I took, she retreated one. Couldn’t she see that I was trying to be friendly?

“You surely remember The Great and Powerful Trixie! Now Trixie has…”

She shook her head slightly. After my memorable performance last time…she forgot about me?

“You don’t know who Trixie is?”

“Um…I…I…um…I’m sorry.” Her voice was so soft you could barely call it a whisper. She averted her gaze and shifted awkwardly on her hooves.

“Trixie had a show here…it was about a year ago and…oh never mind.” I tried to hide any hint of annoyance from my voice. “The important thing is that Trixie has traveled many miles to see you!”

She looked around as if to see if I could possibly be talking about somepony else. She sheepishly pointed at herself to confirm. I facehoofed. All right, if taking it slow wasn’t getting it through to her, I would have to up the ante.

“Trixie has come to announce that she has decided that you would be the perfect friend for her!” I said loudly. To further prove how incredible this was for her, I punctuated my sentence with another small display of smoke and fireworks. “You may feel honored now.”

She let out a small scream and ran into her cottage. So much for feeling honored. I called for her to wait as I started after her, but a voice from behind stopped me in my tracks.

“What in the hay are you doing to poor Fluttershy!?”

Oh no. No no no no no. This was not happening. I turned and saw the orange, Stetson-clad earth pony. One of the ponies who hated Trixie. Apple…something.

“Ah. Well…Trixie…is not doing anything.” I refused to meet her eyes.

“Ah can’t believe you would come back outta the blue and just start picking on a poor filly like that.” She didn't sound happy to see me. “Ah knew you were bad news and all, but honestly…”

“Wait! Trixie was not picking on her! She was merely…” I paused. I couldn’t bring myself to admit to her what my real intentions were. It was too embarrassing. Humiliating, really. “Trixie was just…honoring her?” Real smooth.

“Honor nothing. You wouldn’t know honor if it was gnawin’ on yer flank.”

“But Trixie…”

“Why don’t you just git yer great and powerful keister outta here before you make somepony else cry.”

Somepony else already was about to cry. I ran.

~~~~Twilight~~~

It had been several hours since my ‘Great and Powerful’ student had left. It must have been around five o’clock when I heard the door to Trixie’s cart slam shut. I had a feeling things didn’t go as planned. I glanced at Spike. He shrugged, but also seemed a touch concerned. I left the library to go check on her.

I knocked several times on the door, but received no answer. The door itself wasn’t locked, but it wouldn’t open. I felt a strong magical aura holding it shut, one that even I couldn’t budge. That was very strange; it wasn’t like anything she showed me before.

“Trixie? Are you in there? Is everything okay?” No answer. “Trixie?”

After making no progress for a few minutes, I finally spotted an open window. The Barrier spell prevented me from squeezing through the small frame, but I could see clearly into her carriage. Trixie was lying curled up in her bed, crying her eyes out. I thought that she might be upset but nothing like this.

“Trixie!” I called, but she still didn’t—or couldn’t—hear me. Did the barrier cancel sound, too? I tried to use my magic to force my way in to comfort her, but it was no use. I took a step back, not sure of what to do. Not sure of what I could do.

“Hey, Twi?” Spike must have come outside at some point. “I think maybe we were a bit wrong about her…”

“I think so, Spike. She really needs somepony right now.” I took a deep breath. “I’m going to try to be that pony.”

Chapter 3: Silent Whispers

~~~~~Trixie~~~~~~

Remember magic school? This reminds me of the old days. I hated my school days. Nopony wanted me around then, either. Everypony just laughed at me. And why was that? It was because I could barely cast any spells; I had almost no magic. There was a nickname...Trixie-No-Spell. All I wanted was people to stop laughing; I wanted people to look up to me. To be Great and Powerful.

I had gotten my cutie-mark at a young age: a wand. It meant my talent was supposed to be magic, so I was sent to an elite magic school. Everypony there was so talented. Everypony except for little Trixie-No-Spell. Whenever I got called to the front of the class, I could never get it right. Everypony laughed. I didn’t have any friends…not until I learned how to cheat. Faker.

I learned that with the right twist, I could make the few spells I did know look like other spells. I turned it into a performance; it was a game. I tried to make the class believe I was even more powerful than they were by making it look like I could do all those fancy tricks. Lied to them all, just like always. I faked it all and soon everypony wanted to be friends with me. Not with me…with the Great and Powerful Trixie. Pretended to be somepony else, somepony better. I loved the attention, so I stopped being Trixie-No-Spell and became Trixie the Fake and Powerless. I couldn’t stop acting; everypony loved my persona, so therefore everypony loved me.

I kept trying to do real magic when I was alone, but I could barely achieve anything trickier than levitation. I tried, I really tried, but my little illusions of real magic were all I had. After awhile, I stopped practicing ‘magic’ and I just worked on stage presence instead. If I could keep everypony distracted I could spin a few basic spells together and pull off some really impressive ‘magic’. I was a great faker…until little Trixie-No-Spell got caught. Until I got caught. Fake magic can’t pass an exam no matter how real it looks. Soon everypony knew the truth…soon they all laughed again.

I left the school. Dropped out. I took my show on the road, but each town seemed less and less impressed. I had to be bigger…better…Great and Powerful! They would all like me, and then they would want me around. My stage tricks became impressive, but I relied less and less on my horn and more and more on gimmicks and props. I still used a few rope-tricks and good old fashioned levitation, but nothing substantial. I stopped using most magic all together until I came to Ponyville…or, rather until I left Ponyville. After I saw what she could do, after I saw how Great and Powerful Twilight Sparkle was…

I tried again. I tried real magic again. Failed again and again. I just kept thinking about her; I wanted to be like her. I also…wanted to be with her. She was so nice to everypony and somehow ponies liked her without her needing to show off. She was so impressive, magically and otherwise. I thought that maybe if I learned from her, I could be like her. Seems like she doesn’t want Trixie around either. Why would she want someone so fake around? I hated being useless. I hated being lonely. I just wished somepony would give me a chance.

The sun began to rise so I left my trailer, I didn’t want to be around when Twilight Sparkle woke up. I couldn’t face her right then. I did what I do best; I ran away.

~~~Twilight~~~~

I went to check on Trixie as soon as I woke up. The barrier around her trailer was gone, but it seemed as though she was too. When my knocking yielded no response I tried the door; it was unlocked. I normally would never enter another pony’s house uninvited, but I was determined to see if she was all right. My search was in vain; her hat and cape were present, but she wasn’t there. I was about to leave when I bumped one of the shelves, sending a wave of papers to the floor. As I levitated them from the ground, I noticed what they were: fliers for her shows. They were all the same but for dozens of towns. Phillydelphia, Manehatten, Los Pegasus, Baltimare, even Canterlot! I never realized how well traveled she was…but then I remembered what she had said the other day. ‘Nopony likes me. I just want somepony to, I don’t know, be my…friend’. In all those places, she still hadn’t found anypony to be with her. Traveling alone all this time…I couldn’t even imagine how she must have felt.

I left her carriage and found Spike waiting for me outside. I really wasn’t sure what he was doing there and his question was very descriptive. “Well?”

“Well what?” I closed the door behind me.

“How is she?” Spike must have felt a bit sorry for her after seeing her last night. He seemed more concerned than I would have expected.

“I wish I knew. She wasn’t in there.”

“You gonna go look for her?” he asked, before deciding to try to mask his worry. “I mean, so she doesn’t get into more trouble.”

I smiled at him before trying a simple tracking spell. It yielded no results and my subsequent locator spell didn’t give me much either. That was weird; my magic hadn’t failed in this area before. Was Trixie trying to not be found?
“I’m not getting anything. Maybe she isn’t ready to talk yet.” I felt useless. Trixie had trusted me to help her, and I was letting her down. Then I got an idea of what to do while I waited. “I think I’m going to talk to Fluttershy and find out what really happened.”

“Good idea. Should I do anything?

“Stay here and come get me if she shows up,” I said, and ran to Fluttershy’s cottage without waiting for his reply.

Information is essential to avoid misunderstandings. That was something I learned when I was very small. Studying leads to understanding, so I intended to study this situation to the best of my ability. If I understood what happened, I could help fix it. I quickly arrived at the cottage and found my friend singing with her birds. She hovered several feet off the ground, lost in her own little world. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary with Fluttershy.

“Oh! Good morning, Twilight. I’m sorry; I didn’t see you there.”

“Good morning, Fluttershy. Can I talk to you about something?”

“Sure! I’ll be right down.” She turned and dismissed her chorus and gently alighted near me.

“I was just wondering how things…uh, went yesterday?”

“Oh, everything went wonderfully yesterday. Angel and I had the most relaxing walk, and Applejack stopped by too. It was a good day.” She smiled.

“That’s all well and good, but I was actually wondering how things went with Trixie?”

“Oh. Um…with Trixie.” She hesitated and looked away. “Fine, I suppose.”

“Considering how Trixie was acting last night, I somehow doubt that.” I took a deep breath. “It's all right, Fluttershy, just tell me what happened when she came by.”

“Nothing really happened, honestly. She startled me a little bit, and then we talked for a tiny bit. Then she made some loud noises and I panicked. I ran and hid in my cottage and the next thing I knew Applejack said that she had left.”

“That…might explain it. I don’t think she was ready for an AJ encounter.” Things made a bit more sense.

“Did something happen to, um, Trixie?” Fluttershy’s kindness was showing again.

“I’m not sure on the details, but she was pretty upset last night.”

“I hope I didn’t offend her; she seemed like she was trying to be nice. I just got really startled…”

“Then you should probably tell her that; it might make her feel better.” I wasn’t surprised that it was just a misunderstanding in Fluttershy’s case. Applejack, on the other hoof… “I’m going to go see if I can find AJ. See if I can’t get this all sorted out.”

“I, um, I think I might see if I can find Trixie. I should really apologize to her. I…I hope she wasn’t too upset last night.”

“Um…I think she’ll be okay.” I hoped I wasn’t lying as I went off to find the Element of Honesty.

~~~~~Trixie~~~~~

I felt strange wandering around Ponyville alone. Without my normal attire, no one seemed to recognize me. I walked the streets without any real destination. I just wanted to leave, but I really didn’t have anywhere else to go. Every place was the same in the end. Nowhere left to run away to. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was walking. After finding myself in the park, I ran right into somepony, knocking us both to the ground.

“Sorry,” I said, without any of my usual pluck. I quickly got off the grey pegasus stallion I had landed on.

“Don’t worry about it. It happens,” a soft voice replied. The pegasus was ash grey, with a shaggy mane of darker grey hair. His cutie mark was a bright silver horseshoe. He had a noticeable silver streak in his hair, but something else caught my eye; he had a broken wing.

I didn’t know what to say to him, so I just turned to walk away. I got about four steps in when he called after me. “Hey, are you all right?”

“Trixie is perfectly fine, thank you,” I said, mustering as much of my usual self as I could. I couldn’t ignore the way my voice wavered.

“Um, then why are you crying?”

“Trixie is not…” I put my hoof to my face and found tears there. How long had I been…Great and Powerful, eh?

“That bad, huh?” He motioned to a nearby bench. “Why don’t you tell me about it?”

“I don’t even know you, why should I tell you anything?” He doesn’t even look trustworthy.

“Might make you feel better. My name is Silver Lining and…” He walked to the bench and tried to sit down. He instead leaned too far into the bench and sent the whole thing toppling over. “Ow.”

After he further hurt himself trying to set the bench back up, I finally went over to help him. I sat down on the newly righted bench and started talking with him. I really wasn’t sure if it was to get everything off my chest or to make sure he didn’t hurt himself any further.

“Silver Lining, you say? Surely you have heard of the Great and Powerful Trixie?” I was starting to build myself back up.

“Sorry, I haven’t.” He fidgeted awkwardly, attempting not to bump his hurt wing. He opened his mouth to say something else, but didn’t get the chance. A ball some colts were playing with was sent rocketing into his face, leaving a nasty bruise. “Ow.”

“Um, are you all right?”

“Yeah, it happens.” He tossed the ball back to the kids with a smile. “Just some bad luck.”

“If you say so…” I got the feeling this ‘bad luck’ happened fairly often.

“So why the waterworks, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“Trixie is alone and she just wishes for once that somepony would give her a chance!” It suddenly exploded out of my. My tears, my words, my story, the failure. He didn’t say anything, he just quietly listened while I ranted on and on. “…and now I failed again with Fluttershy, Applejack hates me, and Twilight Sparkle is just humoring me until I go away.”

“Wow. That’s quite the story, lady,” he said, looking thoughtful. “I will say though, it sounds to me like one pony in particular isn’t giving you a fair chance.”

“Which pony is that?”

“The Great and Powerful Trixie.” He gave a soft smile.

“Excuse Trixie? What is that supposed to mean?”

“Just what I said. You assume you have failed before you have and don’t give yourself a real chance. Take Twilight for example. You didn’t really give her the chance to get to know you before you started avoiding her. You also didn’t explain yourself at all to Applejack or Fluttershy; you just assumed that they would dislike you and moved on.”

“But…that’s not…” Was he right? What does he know anyway? “What should I…should Trixie do then?”

He got off the bench slowly, trying not to hurt himself. He still managed to bang his knee as he did and gave his trademark ‘ow’ as he did. “I don’t really know, but I’d start with Twilight Sparkle. I mean, you like her, don’t you? Give her a chance to like you.”

He gave me a smile over his shoulder as he walked away. He almost walked right into a lamp post, but turned in time to narrowly dodge it, only to get hit by a falling tree branch. He gave an embarrassed smile, but continued on. He might have been incredibly unlucky, but he was incredibly right. I took a deep breath and began to walk back to Twilight’s. Maybe I would mess up again, but it was worth an effort. I did really admire Twilight Sparkle.

~~~~~Twilight~~~~~

I stopped back at home to check in with Spike while on my way to Sweet Apple Acres. He confirmed my fears: Trixie was still missing in action. Since she hadn’t turned up, I hurried off to find AJ. If I could figure out what went wrong, hopefully I could fix it. Applejack was never very difficult to find; when in doubt, she was bucking apples. Sure enough, that is where I found her.

“Well, howdy, Twilight! What brings you out to these parts?” She sounded as chipper as always. Whatever had happened, it didn’t seem to have affected AJ much.

“Hey, Applejack, I just wanted to ask you about something. Yesterday, did you see Trixie? It would have been sometime around when you visited Fluttershy.”

“Yeah, ah sure did. Ah walked in on Miss High-and-Mighty harassin’ poor Fluttershy. I firmly told her to scoot and off she ran,” she said proudly, before she asked in a more subdued tone, “Why ya askin’?”

“Trixie wasn’t trying to harass Fluttershy; she was trying to make friends.” I sighed. “It just seems that she still has a lot to learn.”

“Make friends? She plum scared the poor filly into hysterics!”

“I believe you, but trust me; that wasn’t what she meant to do. Trixie came to me the other day wanting my help, but she is still Trixie, so she’s a bit of a slow learner.”

“Wait a second, she’s stayin’ with you? Why in the name of Celestia would you want to help that little egomaniac?”

“Because she needs my help. She swallowed a lot of pride to even talk to me, so I know she is trying. I think Trixie really just wants people to like her, but she just goes overboard on showing it. She seems really lonely.”

“Are you sure she ain't just pullin’ yer leg on this one? Remember how much trouble she is? Ah don’t want anypony getting hurt when she gets out of hoof.”

“I believe in her. Especially after seeing how badly she took her setback yesterday, I don’t doubt that she wants to change. I want to be her friend.”

“Sheesh Twi, yer startin’ to make me feel like I did somethin’ wrong.” She hesitated. “How bad is ‘bad’ exactly?”

“You kinda made her cry. A lot.”

She didn’t respond at first. She paced while opening her mouth as if to speak, but closing it before any words could escape. Finally she turned back to me and lowered her head. “All right, ah guess ah done wrong by her and should give her a shot. Tell you what Twilight, ah’ll show up tomorrow and take her for a walk. Ah’ll apologize for yellin’ but ah’ll also get my own measure of her.”

“Thank you AJ, I…”

“Don’t go and thank me yet. If she gets all flashy-razzle-dazzle on me, ah won’t be able to hold myself back from lettin’ loose on her again. Ah hope you're right, Twilight, but I ain't got my hopes up.”

“Applejack, getting a chance is all Trixie really wants. I mean it, thank you.” I smiled at her and returned home.

When I made it back to the library, I could overhear a commanding voice talking very loudly--Trixie had returned! As I entered, she was busy talking to Spike, who seemed as flustered as I would have expected.

“And did Miss Sparkle say where she was going? Trixie requires her presence!” Apparently Trixie was back in ‘confidence mode’.

“Chill out already. She was going to talk to Applejack because…” He stopped mid-sentence. Spike seemed to have developed a little more tact than I would have guessed. “…because reasons.”

“Augh. That is just great. Trixie really wanted to see her…but she can’t go when Applejack is around.” Trixie paused for a moment, casting a suspicious glance at Spike. “…because…reasons.”

They both stared at each other for a solid minute. I didn’t announce my presence; I wanted these two to have a chance to speak. Finally, Spike reacted. He didn’t say anything, just broke out laughing. Trixie shifted awkwardly, but began chuckling herself. Once she began laughing in earnest, I finally spoke.

“Well I’m glad to see you two getting along.” My voice caused Spike to fall over, while Trixie appeared as if struck by lightning. “Are you ready for your lessons, Trixie?”

“Um, er…right! Yes, Trixie is most ready for your training. However, first she would like to talk to you.”

“Of course. I already heard how yesterday’s attempt went, and I’d be happy to help you work through…” I began.

“Yesterday's…attempt? Oh, no, Trixie wasn’t talking about that. She was talking about how she handled you yesterday.” She seemed to hesitate for a moment. “Although Trixie did really screw that up too.”

“Don’t worry about AJ or Fluttershy. Fluttershy knows you didn’t mean any harm; she's just easily frightened. She actually was hoping to try talking to you again.”

“You have got to be kidding me! After fleeing in terror from Trixie, why would she even want to look at me…at Trixie again?”

“That’s just how she is. She didn’t mean to run from you; you probably just went a touch overboard. Applejack misunderstood what she saw and reacted poorly. She actually wanted to see you tomorrow to try to clear the air. I can help get you ready for that. I know she can be intimidating, but she really…”

“Twilight! Has anypony told you that you talk too much? I was trying to talk about being friends with you!” After realizing what she said, she clapped a hoof over her mouth. She gave a nervous glance at me, then slowly started backing away. “Sorry, I, um…I mean Trixie…”

“I already thought of you as a friend, Trixie.” I smiled at her.

“But after the way Trixie acted yesterday, not to mention how much of…of a pain she is, why would you even want her?” she stammered.

“Because you are a good pony at heart. You try so hard at everything you do that I can’t help but admire you, even if you overdo it sometimes. You said you wanted somepony to give you a chance, and I think you deserve that chance. Now, shall we get down to the magic lesson, my dear pupil?”

She didn’t say anything; however, she did nearly take me to the ground. She ran over and hugged me so fast it felt like I had been sacked by Dash.

“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,” she chanted softly in my ear. I couldn’t help but smile.

~~~~~Trixie~~~~

“Twilight! Has anypony told you that you talk too much? I was trying to talk about being friends with you!” It just slipped out. I hadn't meant to yell at her…especially not now. Good job, any other ways to sabotage yourself? “Sorry, I, um…I mean Trixie…”

Speaking in the third-pony always helped me distance myself. If I talked as if something wasn’t happening to me, it didn’t bother me as much. Yet for some reason, I kept letting my guard down around her.

“I already thought of you as a friend, Trixie.” She was smiling. She was smiling at me…

“But after the way Trixie acted yesterday, not to mention how much of…of a pain she is, why would you even want her?” I quickly raised my third-pony guard. I didn’t understand…I had done nothing to earn a friend.

“Because you are a good pony at heart. You try so hard at everything you do that I can’t help but admire you, even if you overdo it sometimes. You said you wanted somepony to give you a chance, and I think you deserve that chance. Now, shall we get down to the magic lesson, my dear pupil?”

I didn’t think about what happened next. I didn’t even mean to do it; it just happened. The next thing I knew, I was embracing Twilight Sparkle. I was so overcome I could feel tears rolling down my face. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

After taking a few moments to compose myself, I was ready for my lessons. That was embarrassing. Hopefully I wouldn’t further embarrass myself by messing this up. No more games, this time my magic would be real. Liar.

“All right, Trixie, first I’ll go over what I noticed about your magic style. Your level of telekinesis is far beyond most unicorns; you manipulate objects with much more skill and detail. On the other hoof, you use this ability instead of casting spells. For your rope trick, you didn’t really animate the rope. It just looked like it from your level of telekinesis.” Twilight began explaining my tricks…and she was right.

My whole body tensed. She could see through my tricks. She could tell I was a sham. I fought against the urge to turn and run, run like I always did when I was found out. Run like a coward. Mustering some false bravado, I responded. “Yeah, yeah. Trixie knows how she does things. What are you getting at.”

“Well, most of your other tricks are similar. They take basic tricks like telekinesis, levitation, or minor transmutations and expound on them.”

“So you’re saying I can only do basic magic.” That wasn't what I wanted to hear.

“Not exactly. You do have some weather alterations and other more impressive tricks, but your true strength is in the basics. You have much more skill with them than anypony I've seen; it's amazing! All we have to do is figure out why you have trouble with more difficult spells.”

“Twilight, just between you, me and the dragon; I don’t think I can do anything trickier. All I've been able to do is fake big spells, like you said.” I hated to admit it, but no point in hiding it now.

“Yes, but it was a way to practice continually at the small things. It isn’t bad to do it your way, especially for your show. I think we’ll start with something easy that I think would help your show: teleportation! If you can master that, you’ll be able to use it in unique ways like you do your other spells.”

“Unique ways, huh?” I smiled. “That's the nicest way I’ve heard ‘faking it’ described. The only problem is, I can’t do teleportation!”

“But I saw you! In the show you made flowers appear out of nowhere. It would be the same principle.”

“I didn’t teleport those. I just made them temporarily invisible and levitated them there,” I admitted.

“Well then, it sounds like practice time!” The smile she had…seemed almost infernal.

I practiced the forms and techniques she described for hours. I will say she is nothing if not a dedicated teacher. I was hopeless, yet she kept encouraging me and offering advice. Yet after three hours of work, I still hadn’t gotten it. The book I was trying to teleport stayed put. Growing frustrated, I fell back on my old ways; I turned it invisible and moved it manually.

Twilight looked at me, and I could tell that she saw through my act. I felt ashamed for trying to fool her. She was trying so hard for me, and all I could do was fake it. That was pretty low. Yet she didn’t criticize me; she just put a hoof on my shoulder and whispered, “Just try again.”

I closed my eyes and gave it one more go. This time, I felt my magical aura surround the book. There was a popping noise. When I opened my eyes again, I saw that the book…hadn’t moved at all.

“Well, Trixie, that should do it for today. Just keep practicing and you’ll surely improve,” she said, examining the book.

“But…but…I just can’t do it!”

“Oh, you think? Because I saw you do it just now.” She gave me a warm smile.

“What are you talking about?! The book is still right there!” I walked over to where she was standing.

“Oh it moved, just a little bit.” She pointed to where the book had started. “It moved about one inch, but it moved nonetheless. You can do it.”

I was struck silent. An inch had never seemed like a big deal before, yet I was almost tearing up over it.

“How about we go get some dinner to celebrate, just you and me?” She just kept smiling at me. It was like she was proud of me. Why is she proud over a stupid inch? I didn’t understand, but I was happy.

“Trixie humbly accepts your offer.”

We agreed to a light dinner, so we walked to a nearby café. Twilight had spoken highly of it, so I figured it was worth my attention. Ego is showing again.

“Trixie appreciates being asked to dinner; she rarely gets such invites.” We had placed our orders, but so far had been rather silent. I decided to chance a conversation.

“Relax, Trixie, it isn’t anything special.” She seemed so calm compared to me.

I cleared my throat and steered the conversation to my other area of study. “You said you thought of Trixie as a friend…do you have any tips? You heard what happened yesterday, so what did Trixie do wrong?”

“Well, I wouldn’t say it is exactly ‘wrong’ but maybe you could drop the stage presence?” she said cautiously. Was she worried about offending Trixie?

“What do you mean by ‘stage presence?”

“All the extra showiness of your act. Speaking in the thirdpony and all the mock-formality. It is okay to just be ‘Trixie the unicorn’. Be The Great and Powerful Trixie while you perform, but when off stage just be…well, you.”

“But Trixie is…” I caught a glance from her. “But what if they don’t like me?”

“They have to know the real you before they can like her. After finally meeting her, I can say that she is a very nice pony.”

“Well, Trix…I’ll try. Personally, I don’t think I’m very likable, but I’ll try.”

“You’ll do fine,” she said, taking my hoof in hers. I didn’t get the chance to reply before the food arrived.

We ate in silence and didn’t say much on the way home. She bid me good night and went inside her library as I entered my carriage. Alone again. No, not really alone…not anymore. I laid down in bed, a swirl of emotions running through me. I had a friend; maybe it would all be okay. Unless it all slips away. I wasn’t going to let it. I snuggled up and fell asleep, feeling better than I had in a long, long time.

For now anyway. Dream while you can. Heh heh heh.

Chapter 4: Spiraling

~~~~Twilight~~~~

I got up early the next morning to make a lesson plan. Now that I was a teacher, I had to ensure I did a good job. Any hesitation I had felt when Trixie first came had completely evaporated; watching my student learn something was the best feeling I had ever felt! The plan had to be perfect; I had to do this right. I crumpled up draft number 78 and tossed in into a rather full waste bin. It had to be perfect.

“Twilight? How long have you been up?” Spike had finally come downstairs.

“A couple hours. Glad you’re awake; I need some more parchment.” My stack was nearly depleted and draft 79 wasn’t looking much better.

He obediently fetched several rolls, but he had on one of his looks. “So are you working this hard because you like teaching or because you like making lists?”

I laughed. “Can’t it be both?”

I was in a very good mood, even if my lesson plan wasn’t panning out. Trixie had so much potential; I just had to figure out how to unlock it. If that magical barrier was any indication of her true strength, then I just might need to get a few pointers from her before this is all over. I couldn’t wait for her to wake up so we could begin.

“So how come she can’t do teleportation anyway?” Spike asked as he watched me work. “I mean, you got that right away.”

“Trixie just isn’t at that level of magic yet.”

“But she can do other spells that are even harder! You know, like that invisibility thing. It even took you a while to get that.”

He raised a good point. “You may be onto something. It seems like certain magic just comes a lot easier to Trixie but it makes learning the rest harder and…hmm.” I was starting to get a better idea on how to teach her. I began draft 80.

“Hmm? What ‘hmm’?”

“Nothing. I just want to try something…if she ever wakes up.” My impatience might have been showing.

“Twilight, it isn’t even 8 a.m. yet.”

“Isn’t it? Oh…well, I’m going to go check on her anyway. See if she happens to have woken up early.”

“Maybe Trixie could teach you patience,” he said as I trotted out the door into the cool morning air.

I crossed the few feet to her trailer. It was handy having her stay so close; what if I invited her to stay at the library? We had plenty of room and her small carriage couldn’t have been the most comfortable living arrangement. I filed the thought away for later review and gave a soft magical knock at her door. The unlatched door slowly swung open. While I knew I shouldn't have just gone in…again…but I couldn’t help myself.

“Trixie? Are you up?” I called in a voice that rivaled a Fluttershy whisper. It was very dim inside; if I hadn’t been here once before, I probably would have collided with the myriad of shelves and prop tables she had scattered around. “Trixie?”

I ventured further in and nearly tripped over her. She was laying asleep on a small futon in the middle of the carriage. She was cuddling with a stuffed ursa minor doll and muttering in her sleep. I had to admit it; she was pretty cute when she wasn’t bragging up a storm. After deciding that she looked too peaceful to disturb, I turned to leave. Half a step later I was forced to a halt; Trixie’s hoof had shot out and had seized my leg. I almost had a heart attack.

“Please don’t leave me, Twilight….Trixie needs you…” She was still asleep and must have been dreaming about something. “Not alone…”

I froze completely, trying not to disturb her. I probably could have easily slipped away, but I didn’t. I couldn’t. After a moment, I slowly sat down near her, and she snuggled up close. I’m not sure how long I sat there watching her. She didn’t want to be alone, and I didn’t want to leave her alone.

Finally she stirred, relinquishing her grasp on me. I slipped out of her carriage; I was too embarrassed to stay there. Upon my re-entry into the library, Spike gave me an odd look.

“What took you so long? Is she up?”

“Oh, I think she’ll be up and about soon.” I shifted awkwardly.

“Are you blushing, Twilight?” He eyed me warily.

I thankfully never got the chance to respond, as Trixie walked in at that moment. She still looked half-asleep as she eyed both of us.

“Good morning. So, when’s the lesson?” she asked through a yawn.

~~~Trixie~~~

I dreamt that night. A real dream, not another nightmare. I was on stage, performing to the sound of cheering and applause. As I readied my next trick, someone in the audience caught my eye; Twilight Sparkle had come to my show. The dream skipped ahead as dreams sometimes do, and she was meeting me after the show. We were going to hang out; we were friends, and that's what friends do, right? We met with her friends, but they were all my friends too. Applejack, Fluttershy, the pink one, the fancy one, and the one they don’t call ‘Rainbow and Dash’ for nothing. Everypony liked me. As the day came to a close, everypony was going home. Twilight was about to leave, but I didn’t want her to. I held her close and asked her to stay. I didn’t want to be alone. She stayed and I was so happy.

Then I awoke, still feeling the warmth of dream-Twilight next to me. I yawned; it was still rather early for me. I considered going back to sleep, but the part of me that wanted to see my friend overrode that impulse. As I stood up and tucked my futon away, I noticed something. There were a few dark strands of hair near my bed. I knew who they belonged to, but I wasn’t sure how they had gotten there. I probably just had brushed against Twilight’s tail yesterday; that had to be it. I dismissed the thought and ventured into the home of my friend.

She and Spike were talking about something or other as I entered, but I didn’t catch any of it. It was still too early for me; I just yawned. “Good morning. So, when’s the lesson?”

“We can begin immediate…” Twilight started, smiling brightly.

“After you both eat breakfast.” Spike interrupted, placing plates on the table. “You both take so much looking after.”

He has no idea just how much. Twilight laughed and I smiled. I had no idea where that dragon learned to cook, but my girlish figure is in danger. A magician needs to look her best, and Spike’s delicious foods were a threat to that. As we ate, we discussed the upcoming lesson. “So, am I doing more teleportation practice today?”

“Actually, I was thinking of switching it up a bit. While I still want you practicing in your free time, I thought we’d experiment with your strengths today.” She beamed as she pulled out a paper titled ‘Lesson Plan #80’.
Did she just give me homework? What strengths? “My ‘strengths’ aren’t really all that strong. I told you yesterday, I just pretend I have strengths.”

“That’s just it, though! Your ‘pretending’ is still magic, and you're very good at it. The spells you use to misdirect, disguise and trick people are all rather well-developed. I think that your cutie mark means you are skilled in a particular type of magic rather than just magic in general. Trixie, you are a very skilled illusionist!”

She seemed happy, but I couldn’t see how this was such a good thing. She is just sugar-coating it. “My true talent is faking it?”

She got up from the table as Spike cleared the dishes. “Not exactly. Let me try putting this another way; How long can you make something invisible for?”

“I’m not really sure; I haven’t tested that,” I said as I followed her to the door. “About ten minutes is the longest I can recall.”

Twilight walked outside; apparently we were practicing out here. “Exactly. The longest I can manage is only about five minutes or so. I may be able to do a greater variety of tricks, but your skills are focused. So your illusions are stronger, while your other magic is a tad stunted.”

“You mean I’m actually better than you at something?”

She laughed. “Yes, Trixie, you are. I can probably catch up to you with some effort, but I think you could catch up to me too. Today I want to see the extent of your current powers; we can try blending your spells in some new ways. Show me exactly what you can do with your invisibility, your smoke tricks…oh! I also want to see that barrier spell too.”

“Um, ok then.” I felt a bit better about my talents. I wasn’t sure what she meant by barrier spell though. Never mind that. It isn’t important. “Invisibility first?”

She nodded, and I began casting my spells. I got increasingly showy as the day wore on, but Twilight didn’t seem to mind. It turned out that I could make something disappear for about fifteen minutes, and my control of magic smoke was even better than I knew. I was getting new ideas for some stage tricks to really blow the crowd away.

“Well, Miss Sparkle, have you ever considered being in show business?” I was quite taken with her creative ideas. “You’d make an excellent Lovely Assistant.”

“Cut it out Trixie, you’ll make me blush.” She laughed. She actually did blush too; it was most adorable. “Now, it may not be an illusion spell, but that barrier of yours was amazing. I want to see it again; let’s figure out how it ties in with your other abilities.”

“Uh…sure?” I still wasn’t sure what she was talking about. I didn’t recall making a barrier while in town. Heck, I almost never used defensive spells in general. Don’t disappoint her now. You don’t want to let her down, do you?

I concentrated hard, putting all I had into this spell. A shimmering magenta shell surrounded me. Let’s see if she can break this. I swallowed hard. “All right, Trixie is ready for your best shot.”

She nodded. “I’m going to start with a few easily deflected blasts, then build up the power slowly so I don’t accidentally hurt you. Then again, if the barrier is anywhere near as good as the other night, I doubt I can pierce it at all.”

What was she talking about? Who knows, who cares? I didn’t think this was a good idea. Don’t disappoint your friend, let her go all out. I wasn’t sure what to do as Twilight charged energy in her horn. I braced myself for impact and concentrated harder on my spell. Show Twilight Sparkle you are worth her time. “I think my barrier is strong enough. Just go all out on Trixie!”

Twilight looked concerned, but her horn’s raspberry glow brightened. She fired a blast of magical energy toward me. I could hear the crackle of power as it flew near me. I could smell a tinge of something that reminded me of burning wood as the spell neared my barrier. I could see it clearly…as it passed my barrier as if the force-field didn’t exist. I tasted a bit of blood as the spell knocked me off my hooves and into the dirt. I felt the ground as I smacked into it. You felt ashamed of your weakness too.

“Trixie! Trixie, are you all right?!” Twilight was at my side in a second, but I didn’t feel like I could face her. “Trixie please say something!”

“I’m okay.” I lied. My voice was muffled since I was still face down in the dirt, but I didn’t want her to see my tears. Failed again. A barrier isn’t something you can fake.

“Here, let me help you up.” She extended a hoof. I would have rather remained face down, but I took it anyway. “I’m glad that you're all…Trixie, you’re crying! Did it hurt that bad? I am so so sorry!”

“I said I was fine. I just…” I wasn’t sure what to say. Did I really want to lie to her? It is all you know how to do. No, there was no point now. “I’m sorry I let you down.”

“Let me down? Trixie, what are you talking about? You gave it your best shot; there is nothing to be let down about.” She did something I wasn’t expecting: she hugged me close. “I’m the one who should be sorry. I pressed you into something that you weren’t ready for, and you got hurt. Can you ever forgive me?”

Forgive her? Wasn't I the one who needed forgiving? I didn’t understand. I simply hugged her back. “Of course…friends, right?”

She let go of me and looked me right in the eye. “Friends for sure.”

I smiled and took a moment to dust myself off. “So, what now?”

“I’m still trying to figure out exactly what went wrong there; the barrier the other day was so strong…” She stared at me curiously. “Could you make that barrier again?”

I did as I was asked, but I wasn’t in a hurry to be zapped again. “I’m gonna level with you, Twilight; I don’t know what you're talking about.”

She approached my shining, useless shield. She waved her hoof at it…and it passed right through. “Trixie, I think this barrier is an illusion. I think you instinctively used your gifts to…wait, what don’t you know?”

“I don’t know what you keep going on about. I haven’t done any Great and Powerful barrier that you keep mentioning.”

“It was the night before last, after you came back from Fluttershy’s.” She looked even more curious now. “When you were crying and…”

“You…saw that, did you?” Well, that was embarrassing. How many times was I going to cry in front of her? “I didn’t make any barrier. I didn’t cast any spells. I was just…well, you saw.”

“That’s funny. When I tried to go in to talk to you, I…” Twilight started, but a call from an orange mare cut her short.

“Howdy ya’ll. How goes the lesson, Twilight?” Applejack walked toward us.

Twilight walked up to greet her while I took a step or two back. I'd forgotten that she was coming by today. I was not at all prepared for this! I didn’t even look professional; my hat and cape were in my trailer!

“Hey AJ, it’s going pretty well.” Twilight cast a glance at me as I was trying to slip away. “Although I may have overdone it on an experiment…”

She should have killed me with that blast; it would have more merciful. Such melodrama, just run away. I wanted to, but…

“Just give me and Trixie a second to finish up. Mind waiting inside?” A reassuring glance from Twilight made me stay.

“Sure thing, ah’ll let you fillies finish up. Just fetch me when yer ready there.” Applejack made her way into the library, and I finally was able to breathe.

“Are you all right, Trixie? You look kind of freaked out.” Twilight walked over to me and put a sympathetic hoof on my shoulder.

Great, she knew how nervous (pathetic) I was feeling. I was humiliating myself in front of my friend and nothing had even happened yet. I took a deep breath to muster some of my stage-courage; I was going to need it.

“Trixie is just fine. She was just surprised, nothing more.”

“You sure? You’re doing that thing again.” She wasn’t buying it.

“Trixie just feels calmer this way, that’s all.”

“I understand, and I know AJ can be a little daunting, but I think you guys will get along great.” Twilight’s voice was reassuring. “But I wouldn’t use the stage voice; I don’t think she’d go for it.”

I sighed. “Fine, I’ll…I’ll try.”

I felt as if I were walking to the gallows as we approached the library door. My desire to not disappoint Twilight kept me going. Also, as much as she made me nervous, I really did want Applejack to like me. We crossed the threshold and I went to face my fate. There was palpable silence…until Twilight left me to fend for myself.

“We’re all finished. I’ll be upstairs if anyone needs me.” She hurried up the steps, but turned back and mouthed something to me. I believe it was ‘good luck’.

Applejack and I were left to stare at each other awkwardly. She shifted on her hooves while I tried to hide in my hat…which wasn’t even there. We broke the silence in unison.

"Sorry about…" we both started. The silence fell again, but Applejack took a breath and pressed on.

“Ahem. Sorry ‘bout yesterday. Ah suppose ah might have overreacted to yer little scene there.” She spoke slowly and deliberately; she sounded about as nervous about this as I did.

“Yeah, well, I was in the middle of overreacting myself. Forget about it,” I started, trying to keep the words flowing. “Um, sorry about the whole ‘rope trick’ last year…”

“Apology accepted. Ah was thinkin’ we could take a walk; ah never got the chance to talk proper to ya. Heck, we ain't even had a proper introduction. I’m Applejack.” She extended her hoof to me.

“And you have clearly heard of the Great and Power…” I froze; I was doing it again. I quickly changed my tone. “Sorry, force of habit. I’m, um, Trixie.”

I closed my eyes as I shook her hoof, still embarrassed over my verbal relapse. She, however, seemed to find it more amusing today than she did yesterday; she laughed. “Darn glad ta meet ya. Shall we?”

Following her out the door, I began to relax a little. She didn't seem to be holding a grudge. Was I getting better at this or was it all just Twilight’s influence? I wasn’t sure it really mattered; the important thing was I had a chance to make a friend and I had better not screw it up.

We talked idly as we wandered; we were both still unsure of what to speak of. She told me of her farm while I spoke of my shows. It turned out that a certain over-eager fan I met in Appleloosa was her cousin; seems like it’s a small world. I recommended limiting his caffeine intake. Just as I was starting to feel comfortable talking to her, my calm went up in multi-colored smoke. In a flash, a rainbow pegasus descended and landed defiantly between me and the apple farmer.

“AJ! What the hay are you doing with the magical loudmouth?” She was as loud as she was colorful. “Did she hypnotize you? She hypnotized you; I knew it. Don’t worry, AJ, I’ll…”

“Whoa there filly, just take a breather.” Applejack shot me an apologetic look. “Ain't nopony been hypnotized.”

“That’s just what a hypnotized pony would say.” Miss ‘Rainbow and Dash’ had a glare that felt as if it would set me on fire. I suppose she was still sore about last time. Who wouldn’t be? You were terrible.

I took matters into my own hooves; after all, Twilight couldn’t do all the work for me. “Um, nice to see you again, Miss Dash?”

Her look shifted to one of pure confusion. Sounding like a complete fool; good job. She looked at Applejack, then back at me. She raised an eyebrow and shrugged. “‘Sup?”

I simply shrugged in response, to which she replied with a nod. ‘Rainbow and Dash’ then turned back to AJ. This time, she at least sounded calmer. “What the hay is going on?”

“Well, I was about to offer Trix here a tour of mah farm, ifin’ you’d like ta tag along.” Applejack adjusted her hat, then turned back to me. “Sound good ta you, Trix?”

“Yeah, sounds good.” Things seemed to be going well. This sounds boooring. Augh. No, I really did want to see it.

“Since when were you two so buddy-buddy?” Rainbow seemed to be coming along.

“We’re not really…” I began.

“Well, we’re getting’ there,” AJ finished, giving me a wink.

We began our trek to the farm. As we approached, I finally worked up the nerve to speak to the colorful mare. “So, um, Trixie is sorry about last time. It was wrong of her to do what she did to you.”

“Did you hit your head or something?” was her only reply. I could only hope that was her way of accepting the apology.

AJ began acting as tour guide; it was clear she had done this many times before. She seemed to have all her lines well rehearsed. This is boring. Actually it was more interesting than I expected it to be. Time for something more fun to happen…

The lengthy tour was just concluding with Applejack waking up Rainbow; the pegasus had dozed off around the middle. I had really enjoyed myself and things were looking pretty good on the ‘new friend’ scale…until the wolves showed up. With a howl, a pack of seven wolf-like creatures made of wood appeared at the edge of the farm. Now this will be interesting. The pack was headed right for the farm house where AJ’s little sister had just gone into.

“What in tarnation are they doin’ here at this time of day?!” Applejack looked perplexed. “Timberwolves never come out before dark.”

“Who cares? It’s go time.” Rainbow seemed more excited than anything else. “You ready for this, Show Pony?”

Here is your chance. Impress them, show them how great you really are. “Of course I’m ready. Trixie can handle this.”

“All right then. Rainbow, you cut them off and keep ‘em from gettin’ in the house. Trixie, use that fancy razzle-dazzle of yours to keep ‘em off kilter. I’ll kick their keisters back into the forest.”

We charged in. I did my best to distract the wolves; I kept them off balance with illusory ponies and smokescreens. I was able to use an energy blast, but it wasn't anywhere near as strong as Twilight’s. Rainbow relied on a hit and run style while Applejack was using the old ‘kick-‘em-in-the-head’ strategy. We were getting spread out, but we'd knocked most of the wolves out cold. More power! Show them just how Great and Powerful you really are. I didn’t know how to prove myself here…until I saw Applejack being surrounded. Better do something. Don’t be useless. She was too far away for me to run to, and I still couldn’t teleport.

Just blast them all away. Let them know just who they’re dealing with. I felt my horn charge with more energy than I have ever felt pass through it. I wasn’t sure where the energy was coming from, but I didn’t care; I could use it. I lobbed a magic blast toward the timberwolves near AJ…but I never expected that explosion.

~~~~Twilight~~~~

Today was shaping up to be a pretty good day so far. While the magic lesson had been a little inconclusive, I thought we'd made legitimate progress. Trixie was shaping up to be a fine student and, considering what I'd overheard while AJ was here, a fine friend. She had left with Applejack a few hours ago; I took the length of their walk to be a good sign. I was happy for her, but I was getting a little impatient for her return. Left to my own devices, I had little to do but read, yet I couldn’t focus on my books. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. There were still so many things that I had wanted to discuss with her over lunch—well, dinner now, since she still wasn’t back. I wanted to ask her about moving into the library, about tips for invisibility, about that strange barrier, about…

My thoughts scattered when I heard an explosion in the distance. I jumped to my hooves and ran outside. I couldn’t see anything from where I was standing, but a feeling of dread had fallen over me. From what I could tell, the explosion had come from the direction of Sweet Apple Acres. I was just about to start running there when a flash of magical energy stopped me in my tracks, and Trixie suddenly appeared in front of me. She had teleported! My excitement was short-lived after I saw the state that she was in. She looked a little disheveled…and she had been crying again.

“Twilight?” She sounded confused, her voice as quiet as…well, Fluttershy.

“Trixie! What happened? Are you all right? Where’s AJ?”

“I…wolves…I…I think I killed her…” Trixie was still sounding like she was in shock.

I didn’t say anything despite how disturbing her statement was. Instead, I led her into my house and called for Spike to make some tea. I sat down near her and waited for her to relax a little. After she got a bit of tea in her, she stopped shaking enough to tell me what happened.

“Applejack, Rainbow and Dash and Trixie had just got to her farm…” she began in between sips. I decided not to call her on reverting to the third pony; if she needed that to keep her calm, I wasn’t going to stop her.

“Dash was there?” I asked, not commenting on the odd way Trixie referred to her. “Did she cause a fight or…”

Trixie shook her head. “No, she helped us with one. These wolf-things came out of the woods. Trixie tried to help fight them…to show that I could still be Great and Powerful sometimes.”

“Wolf-things?” I wasn’t sure what she meant. There were several wolf-like creatures in the Everfree Forest, although almost all of them were nocturnal.

“Wooden wolves.” She took a breath and continued. “Applejack was in trouble so I tried to help…Twilight, I really tried! I’m not sure what spell I used; it just kind of came out. Then all of a sudden there was an explosion, and Applejack was caught in it.”

She paused and stared at me as if awaiting judgment. I didn’t say anything, but offered a weak smile and a nod; urging her to continue her story.

“I froze after that until Rainbow tackled me. A wolf was behind me and she knocked of the way! She saved me after I hurt AJ!” Trixie was hyperventilating, growing almost hysterical. “The wolf bit Rainbow’s leg, but she still knocked it out.”

“What happened to Applejack after that?”

“I don’t know. Rainbow and Dash yelled at me about watching what I was doing and about aiming better. Then I started to panic and the next thing I knew I had teleported.” She was crying in earnest now and I put a hoof around her to comfort her. “I’m sorry…I don’t know why I screwed up so bad I just…”

The doorbell interrupted her. Spike went to get it while we just sat in silence. A few moments later, he walked in, followed by Apple Bloom.

“Hey y’all. Ah just was lookin’ fer um…fer her.” She pointed to Trixie. “Sorry, I don’t know yer name. Ah just thought ah should say thanks fer helpin’ save me and that mah sister just woke up. She’s a bit groggy but she’ll be fine.”

Trixie dropped her teacup but she at least looked a bit relieved. “She’s okay?”

“Mmhmm.” Apple Bloom nodded. “She’s just a touch shook up.”

“Thank you, Apple Bloom,” I said, feeling relieved myself. “I’ll be by in a little while to check on her.”

“All right. I’ll let her know yer comin’. You should come on back too, miss,” she said to Trixie as she turned and ran down the stairs. “See y’all there.”

“See? No real harm done.” I gave Trixie a reassuring hug. “Think you’re up to coming with me?”

She shook her head. “I doubt she wants to see me. I’m just gonna go straight to bed.”

“What about dinner? We could…”

“I’m not hungry.” Trixie may have sounded better than when she came in, but she still sounded depressed.

“I was going to ask, would you like to move your stuff inside the library? We have an extra bed and it will probably be more comfortable. It’ll be like a slumber party!” Maybe changing the subject would get her mind off things.

She smiled, but it faded quickly. She averted her eyes from me. “Thanks, but I'd better not. Go check on your real friend.”

With that, she hurried out of the library, and I heard her trailer door slam shut. I glanced at Spike, but he seemed to be at just as much of a loss as I was. I wanted to go check on Trixie, but Applejack’s condition was something that I couldn’t ignore. Trixie would be okay; AJ I wasn’t sure about. I hurried off to the farm.

~~~~Trixie~~~~

I spilled the whole terrible story of my actions to Twilight. I knew she would hate me for what I had done. Of course she would. You killed her friend. Twilight didn’t seem angry with me, at least not yet. I knew it was only a matter of time; this was probably my last night in Ponyville.

Then suddenly the doorbell rang and a small girl entered. It was one of the three blank-flanks that had given me directions. I had no idea she was Applejack’s sister. She told us the AJ was going to be okay. I was relieved, but it didn’t excuse my actions. It still counts as attempted murder. She left after asking us to come to the farm.

Twilight clearly wanted to leave to check on her friend. I couldn’t blame her; Applejack was more important to Twilight than I was. Yet for some reason, she kept talking to me instead of leaving.

“See? No real harm done.” She hugged me; she was so warm. I didn’t want her to leave me. “Think you’re up to coming with me?”

I couldn’t show my face there. Applejack and Rainbow Dash both probably hate you, so why bother? “I doubt she wants to see me. I’m just gonna go straight to bed.”

“What about dinner? We could…”

“I’m not hungry.” As much as I didn’t want her to leave, I wanted to be alone. I just didn’t know what to feel.

“I was going to ask, would you like to move your stuff inside the library? We have an extra bed and it will probably be more comfortable. It’ll be like a slumber party!”

I smiled. I really would like that. Maybe Twilight didn’t hate me yet, maybe I still had hope. If Twilight wanted me closer… “Thanks, but I had better not. Go check on your real friend.”

I wasn’t sure why I said that. You don’t deserve her, that’s why. I hadn't wanted to say that. I didn’t know what to do, so I fled to my trailer. The tears wouldn’t stop.

Chapter 5: Her and Me

~~~~Twilight~~~~

Applejack was sitting up in bed when I arrived. She had a bandage wrapped around her head instead of her trademark hat, but she didn’t seem to be in too bad of shape. Her family was crowded around her, and Rainbow Dash was nervously flitting about the room. Everypony kept looking at the injured mare as if she were on her death bed. Well, everypony but Granny Smith, who seemed to have fallen asleep in a chair in the corner.

“How many times do ah need ta say that ah’m fine?” AJ looked more annoyed than hurt.

“You don’t know that! Who knows what kind of side effects that weirdo spell will have on you?” Dash emphasized her words with dramatic, yet nonsensical, hoof-gestures. “That little psycho could have killed you!”

“Fer the last time, she ain't a psycho.” AJ rolled her eyes, then noticed me walking in. “Twilight, use yer fancy mumbo-jumbo to tell these guys that ah’m all right!”

If she was able to be that sassy, I was pretty sure she would be just fine. On the other hoof, Rainbow had a point; since Trixie’s spell was unknown, it could have some strange after-effects. “I’m sure you're just fine, but I’ll take a look just to make sure.”

“Yeah, Twilight knows everything; she’ll know fer sure.” Apple Bloom beamed.

“Eeyup.” Big McIntosh nodded.

“All right, fine. Twilight, set her straight.” Rainbow had finally landed. She watched as I began looking for any lingering spell effects.

“Did Trix follow ya over here?” AJ inquired as I analyzed her. “I was a might worried when she up and vanished like that.”

“Ran away, you mean.” Rainbow Dash apparently wasn’t a Trixie-fan yet. “She's just a great and powerful coward.”

AJ shot her a look. “Ah told ya to knock that off. The filly tried her darnedest out there. Sure, ah got a bump on my head, but she saved my life!”

Rainbow just crossed her front legs and grumbled.

“She didn’t come with me. She's too nervous to face you after what happened.” I finished Applejack's magical check-up. “You seem fine to me; just take it easy for a bit.”

“Too nervous to what now? Why the hay should she be?” AJ got out of bed and put her hat back on. She began walking to the door.

“Because she tried to kill you! Helllooo?!” Dash moved to intercept her. “Where do you think you’re going? Twilight said to take it easy!”

“So quit rilin’ me up, then! Ah’m gonna make sure that Trix ain't beatin’ herself up over this. Ah already hurt her feelin’s once, and she shouldn’t be fussin’ over me. Ah owe her fer savin’ me.”

I finally stepped in. “All right, everypony calm down. I’ll take AJ to see Trixie; that way she won’t overexert herself. I doubt that I could pry Trixie out of her carriage tonight anyway. Is that all right with everypony?”

“No, no , it isn’t,” our polychromatic pegasus added.

“Fine, then. Is that all right with everypony besides Rainbow Dash?” It wasn’t even that late and I was already feeling tired.

A chorus of ‘yes’ and a single ‘eeyup’ filled the room. AJ smiled at her siblings, then walked outside. I was about to follow when Rainbow pulled me aside.

“How can you all just up and believe that little liar so quickly? What if she’s setting us all up for some crazy revenge scheme?”

“There's just something about her that I know I can trust. Trixie really opened up to me and…I feel like I can understand what she’s going through. I…used to not have friends either. While I didn’t realize that I was lonely at the time, finding you all was the best thing that ever happened to me. Trixie was all alone, and she’s been hurt so much. I just want to save her the way you guys saved me.”

“Augh, fine.” She shook her colorful head. “Do you know how sappy you sound right now?”

“Probably very sappy.” I laughed. “She’s my friend, Rainbow, and I care about her.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” She rolled her eyes, but she did smile a bit as she stepped aside to let me pass.

I met up with Applejack outside. She cocked her head inquiringly, but my only reply was a smile. We slowly made our way back to my place. AJ wanted to hurry, but I tried to keep her restricted to a more moderate pace until she was fully healed. The sun was just beginning to set as we arrived. Trixie had said that she was going to bed early, but I hoped she was still awake. I knocked several times on her trailer, but there was no answer. I cautiously opened the door.
There was nopony inside. Trixie was gone.

~~~~Trixie~~~~

After Twilight had gone, I sat alone in my dark trailer. Sleep wouldn’t come; I couldn’t quiet my thoughts enough. I just didn’t know what to do. Leave. This is not the place for you. There was no place for me anywhere; there was no point in leaving. I just wanted to disappear. I had run out of tears.

Disappear? That isn’t hard at all. I didn’t want to leave Twilight, though; she…she was all I had. Forget her. Disappearing is better for you; better for her. All you have to do is…

I heard a sound at the door; it was so faint that I scarcely thought anything of it. I was about to drift back into my thoughts when it came again, louder this time. It was still so soft that nopony could have actually called it a ‘knock,’ but I cautiously approached my door anyway. I didn’t know what I was expecting, but I certainly wasn’t expecting what I saw.

“Um, sorry, I didn’t disturb you, did I?” Fluttershy stood sheepishly at the door.

I didn’t know what to say to her. Even if I did, my voice probably would have sent her running again. I simply shook my head. I didn’t really want to be seen by anypony right now, but after how I treated her (horribly) before, I couldn’t send her away. Why not? Save her from the likes of you. I walked back inside, but left the door open so she could follow…if she really wanted to.

“Miss Great and Powerful? Um…are you all right?” Her voice came from behind me; she had entered my little home.
As I turned to respond, I caught sight of myself in a mirror. My eyes were red, my mane disheveled, my tail a disaster; I was a mess. No point in hiding it, for the one of the first times I intended to be honest about my feelings. I wasn’t okay.

“I’m just fine.”

I don’t know why that slipped out. Maybe I’d been lying for so long that now I couldn’t stop? Why couldn’t I do anything right? I hated me so much, no wonder everypony did, too. Send her away. You still need to disappear, remember? Get rid of her.

“Well, um, no offense, Miss Great and Powerful, but, um, you don’t look very, um fine,” she said, then tensed up as if she expected me to yell at her.

“I said I was…um, actually, I am really not okay right now. I just want to be alone.” I didn’t want to get upset with her; she was reaching out to me. It made me feel a touch better, even if I wasn’t worth reaching out to.

“I, well, I just came by because I wanted to apologize for the other day. It was rather rude of me to run off like that when you were just trying to be nice.” She gave a tentative smile. “I’m sorry.”

You are the one who should be sorry, not her. You… I shook my head; I was having problems thinking straight. I had really wanted her as a friend; why was I trying to push her away? I took a deep breath. “You don’t need to apologize. I’m the one who should be sorry for scaring you. Twilight told me to take it easy, but I’m not really that good of a listener.”

“Don’t worry about it, Miss Great and Powerful; everything scares me,” she said with a tiny little laugh.

“What’s with the ‘Miss Great and Powerful’ stuff; I haven’t been either lately. Just call me Trixie.”

“I’m sorry, I, um, I thought that was your name.” She blushed. “Some ponies have, um, interesting names.”

I gave an awkward chuckle, before a silence fell. A few moments passed without either of us saying anything. She kept looking me up and down, and I still wasn’t sure how to interact with her without sending her running. Finally, she spoke up.

“Would you like to go somewhere with me? It, um, it might make you feel better.” She shifted on her hooves. “…If you want to.”

You wanted to be alone, remember? I didn’t really mean that. What if you hurt her too? I…I wouldn’t let that happen; Twilight had said to not give up. “I guess so.”

“I have the perfect idea; I think you’ll really like it.” Suddenly, she seemed to find the ability to talk. “It’s just what you need and it will make you feel so much better!”

"Uh, great, um…sounds good?”

“Would you mind if Rarity came along? She always is up for something like this.” She took me by the hoof and practically dragged me outside.

“Sure, why not?” I had no idea who ‘Rarity’ was, although the name sounded a bit familiar. Fluttershy seemed so excited that I couldn’t say ‘no’; I didn’t want to make another foolish mistake with her.

After a short walk, I found myself standing outside of the ‘Carousel Boutique’. A bad feeling immediately crept over me. This was a rather fancy place…that reminded me of a certain fancy unicorn that I'd embarrassed during my first visit to town. This was not good.

"Actually Fluttershy, I don’t think that Miss Rarity will be all that happy to see me…”

“Oh, I’m sure whatever happened between you two is water under the bridge by now,” she said as she knocked softly on the door. I wished I had brought my Great and Powerful hat; I could have used it to hide my face.

The door opened and a white unicorn mare with a purple mane and orange glasses stepped out. “Fluttershy dear, you simply must learn to knock a bit louder. It is very difficult to hear you from across the shop.”

“I suppose you’re right, sorry. At least you can tell when I’m the one knocking.” Fluttershy smiled brightly.

“Assuming I actually can hear you, you mean. What brings you here this evening?”

“I was thinking about doing a little something to help my friend Trixie feel better, and I thought it would be more fun with you along too.” Fluttershy didn’t realize that she was setting up a disaster. “Um, you remember Trixie, right?”

I gave a hesitant wave.

“Yes. I seem to recall her.” Rarity’s voice fell flat.

I quickly chimed in with an apology; the last thing I needed was another pony yelling at me. “Hey, miss,uh, Rarity. It’s nice to see you…again? Sorry about the…um, the green hair thing. That was…pretty out of line. Heh heh.”

“Come now, I had simply forgotten all about that.” Her sharp tone strongly hinted otherwise.

"See? I told you that she would have forgiven you by now.” Fluttershy seemed oblivious. “I was thinking that we needed to call an emergency spa day. I think Trixie would really like it; she seems like she’s been very stressed lately.”

“A spa? Look, that isn’t really my kind of thing. I’m really not in the mood for…” I started, but Rarity cut me off.

“As fun as that sounds I think…” She paused as she regarded me for a few more moments, squinting her eyes as she considered what she was about to say. “Actually, Trixie darling, look at the state of your mane. No matter what has transpired between us, I cannot simply allow you to parade around like that. I must insist that you accompany us immediately.”

I’m not sure how it happened, but the next thing I knew, I was practically being carried off to whatever spa they frequented. I didn’t really resist, but I wasn’t sure how this was supposed to make me feel better. At least I seemed to be gaining Fluttershy as a friend.

After being pushed through the doors into the building, both of my captors called out in unison, “Three ‘usuals’, please!”

~~~~Twilight~~~~

I must admit; I may have panicked a little when I saw that Trixie was gone. After finding the trailer empty, I probably looked rather silly as I circled it a few times trying to think of where she could have gone.

“Oh no, I knew I shouldn’t have left her alone!”

“Twilight.” AJ tried to gain my attention.

“What if she ran off somewhere? I knew she was upset but…oooh…” I put my hoof to my head as terrible ‘what if’ scenarios flashed through my mind.

“Twilight.”

“What if she did something reckless? What if she hurt herself? I am such a terrible friend; I should have been there for her! I…”

“Twilight! Heavens to Betsy, filly, calm down. Runnin’ ‘round like that ain't helpin’ nopony.” Applejack put her hooves on my shoulders. “You don’t know if anythin’ even happened. Yer a fine friend, just take a breather. Believe in Trix a little.”

I sighed. “You’re right, I know you are. I just get so nervous that something terrible is going to happen to her. I wish I could be more…there for her.”

“Let’s go inside. We can ask Spike if he saw where she went, then track the little troublemaker down.” She led the way to the library.

I followed, still a little unsure. Trixie had become so important to me over the last few days; I just felt a strong connection with her. She needed me…and maybe I was starting to need her too. Her smile was beautiful; if only she would show it more.

I opened the door to the library. I must have opened it too quickly, for it bumped one of the many bookshelves, sending a pile of books down on somepony who had been standing nearby.

“Ow.”

A grey pegasus with his wing in a sling emerged from the books I'd dropped on him. It was Silver Lining, a pony I had only encountered a few times before. From the looks of things his luck was as bad as ever. His sudden appearance distracted me from my other concerns. “Silver? Sorry about that. What brings you here?”

“Hey Twilight, hello Applejack. I was just looking for a book, but well, I wasn’t having any luck finding it.” He gave a soft, almost embarrassed smile.

“Howdy, Mr. Lining.”

“You do know that the library closed a couple hours ago right?” I asked, but the timid look he gave me forced me to change my tune. “But don’t worry about that. Didn’t Spike help you look?”

“I was helping…” Spike came down off a ladder. He had a large, half-eaten gemstone in his hand. “Silver Lining even found this morsel behind one of the books and gave it to me, but I couldn’t find his book either.”

“Don’t worry about it; these things happen.” Silver’s voice was resigned as he walked toward the door.

“Sorry, Silver, normally I’d be glad to help you look, but I’m kind of in a rush right now. I can’t find Trixie and I need to figure out what happened to her. Spike, did you see where she went?”

Spike shook his head, but Silver Lining spoke up. “Trixie? As in the Great and Powerful Trixie? I passed her on the way here, actually.”

“See Twilight? Ain't nothin’ to worry about.” Applejack went to sit down. She still seemed exhausted.

“Did you see where was she headed?” I felt a bit better, but not fully relieved yet.

“No, sorry, I didn’t.” He thought for a moment. “But she was being taken somewhere by Fluttershy.”

Now I felt calmer. Fluttershy was the perfect pony to cheer someone up. “You're wonderful, Silver; thank you. Now, what can I help you find?”

“Uh, it’s called…’Industrial Strength Luck Charms’ by Fourleaf.” He gave me an embarrassed look, but I wasn’t sure if it was from my praise or from the title he'd spoken.

I tried not to laugh. It wasn’t really that funny; it was definitely a book he could benefit from, but I couldn’t help giving a small chuckle. “All right, I’ll check our records and see where it got off to.”

“Thanks, Twilight. I do really appreciate this,” he said, blushing again.

After doing a check, I figured out why Spike couldn’t find the book. It wasn’t here. Somepony had checked it out. “Sorry, that title is out on loan right now…looks like most of our books on luck charms are.”

He gave a small chuckle. “Should have known. Can you tell me when it's due back?”

“Sure! It…was due back about two weeks ago, actually.” I squinted at my notes; this didn’t look good. “Seems Miss Derpy Hooves still has it…”

He looked crestfallen, so I quickly added, “I'll get in touch with her about it, and when I do, I’ll let you know, all right?”

“Thanks a lot, you guys are always so good to…” He was cut off by another book avalanche; this one with no apparent source. “Ow.”

One book bounced out of the pile covering Silver Lining and landed at my hooves. Its title was ‘Ye Hystories of ye Ancient Harmonious Elements and of Their Kynde’ by Fact Checker; it was very old and I had never seen this particular volume before. Did it have something to do with the Elements of Harmony?

As Silver extracted himself from the pile of tomes, he noticed the book I was holding. “Something tells me you should hang onto that book. Trust me.”

Silver Lining was as infamous for the good luck he spread as he was for his own bad luck, so I took his word for it. While I didn’t normally put stock in such things, Pinkie had taught me not to dismiss them immediately. Besides, it was a new book to read. I levitated it to a table to look at later as he opened the door to leave.

“Thanks for the help, Spike, Twilight. Good to see you, Applejack.”

“And thank you, Silver. If I hadn’t run into you, I'd still be worrying up a storm over Trixie right now.”

“No problem. You two are pretty close, aren’t you? You were pretty much all she talked about when I met her," he said as he lingered in the doorframe. “And you seem just as concerned about her.”

I felt my face turn red. Applejack didn’t miss a beat. “Hoooeey Twi, just how close are you and Trix gettin’?” She laughed.

Silver chuckled too. “You both have a lot in common.” He might have said more, but a gust of wind from an open window blew the door shut in his face. The only thing I could hear was a muffled ‘ow’.

“We…we aren’t all that close. Not really.” I shifted on my hooves.

“But the question is, do ya wanna be? Ah kinda noticed it too.”

“Her and me?” I turned more red than I think I’ve ever been. “I don’t…I mean, I haven’t thought about it. Besides, we’re both mares…”

“Does that matter? Ah’m not sayin’ ya haveta do anything; ah’m just sayin’ think about it, Sugar-cube.”

I didn’t have time to think about anything. A few minutes later, Trixie walked in the door, and she looked absolutely beautiful.

~~~~Trixie~~~~

The ‘emergency spa day’ didn’t go as poorly as I had suspected it would. Rarity was actually pretty forgiving—after I convinced her of my sincerity. At first, she had a rather icy disposition, but I think she began feeling sorry for me pretty quickly…and why not? I was pathetic. Very pathetic. Once we started talking, we just sort of clicked.

We talked of many things while we were being pampered. Rarity spoke of her shop and her dresses, and we swapped Canterlot stories. Fluttershy had actually talked down a dragon once…despite letting her rabbit boss her around. I spoke little of my shows; I didn’t want to start sounding like a braggart again. Instead, I spoke of my magic lessons and of my budding friendship with Twilight Sparkle. I think I might have started talking too much toward the end of our outing. Obsession isn’t healthy.

“My my my, you seem quite taken with our little librarian, aren’t you?” Rarity batted her eyelashes my way.

“Well, I obviously have a great respect for her…she has done so much for me.”

“Oh, don’t you be coy with us now, dear.” Her smile seemed sinister to me all of a sudden. “It is obvious; isn’t it, Fluttershy?”

“Oh my, I suppose it could be possible…do you really think so?” The yellow pegasus was as cryptic as her fellow conspirator.

“What in Celestia’s name are you both talking about?” Their stares had begun to make me feel rather nervous.

“Well, Trixie dear…I suspect that you may in fact have a tiny little crush on our mutual friend. Which I find quite adorable, I’ll have you know.”

“Her and me? As if that could happen.” I tried to laugh it off, but I suspect the color of my cheeks betrayed me. As if that could happen. As if she could ever love you. “Yeah, I doubt she could ever feel that way about me.”

“I don’t know; you both get along so well and she seems to worry a lot about you.” Fluttershy chimed back in.

“However, you are not denying my accusations.” That sly smile of Rarity’s never faded. “Do you harbor intentions for our lovely bookworm?”

“No, no, I don’t.” I looked away. And why is that now? “I’d just ruin my only friendship. I don’t think she’d ever love me. I’m…I’m intolerable. She could do so much better.”

“Is your throat getting sore? I might have something for that…” Fluttershy looked concerned.

“Utter nonsense. You have at least two other friends right here. Just remember; you are good enough and you deserve the best. Now, repeat that back to me.” Rarity was fairly intimidating when she tried to be.

“I’m good enough…and I deserve the best?”

“Again. Put more feeling into it.” She didn’t let up.

“I’m good enough and I deserve the best.”

“Honestly, Fluttershy could do better….no offense dear.”

“I’m good enough and I deserve the best!” I shouted—and I actually felt like I meant it a little bit, too. “Thanks, guys. I’ll think about what you said.”

“Just don’t break my little pony’s heart and I’ll be happy.” Rarity gave a dramatic flourish and we headed toward the exit.

I stopped in front of a mirror on the way out and couldn’t help but stare. I almost didn’t recognize the pony staring back at me. My hair, coat and tail were immaculate, but the biggest difference was my face. My eyes were bright, and I was smiling. I felt so much better. I thanked each of them and ran off. I ran to see Twilight Sparkle.

As I passed by the friendly (if unlucky) stallion from the other day, I called a greeting, but was in too big of a hurry to stop. I paused outside the door to catch my breath before entering. My heart was racing, and I suddenly felt rather nervous about going in. Rarity’s words kept echoing in my head; did I have a crush on Twilight Sparkle? As I walked in and saw her, I figured it out. She smiled at me as I came into the room…and I couldn’t stop smiling at her.

There was a moment of silence as we each stared at each other. I don’t know how long it would have lasted if Applejack hadn’t broken it. “Howdy, Trix! We were wonderin’ where ya ran off ta.”

“Hey AJ…sorry about…exploding you.” I had gotten my mind completely off my terrible mistake earlier, but it did look like she was okay.

“Aw, don’t fret none about it.” She kept smiling at me. “Don’t you look right fancy. Don’t she, Twi?”

Twilight seemed a little awkward as she approached me, shy even. It was kind of cute. “You look amazing, Trixie! Wow…I mean…wow…”

I don’t know what caused me to do what I did next. It was either the best decision or the biggest mistake of my life. It could have been caused by Rarity’s pep talk or from the look in her eyes, but I felt confident for the first time in a long time. I knew I wouldn’t regret what I did then, not ever.

I kissed Twilight Sparkle…and she kissed me back.

Chapter 6: Let Me In

~~~~Twilight~~~~

It was just so sudden. I was too busy fumbling for words to notice her advance; Trixie’s kiss had taken me completely by surprise. I…I had never been kissed before. I didn’t know what to do or how to react. Reflexively, I returned the kiss; she'd just felt so warm. My mind was racing, but I knew that this wasn’t right. I shouldn’t be kissing her, not before I could figure out how I felt about her. I pulled away. Trixie was blushing, but she looked surprised by my sudden move.

“I…I’m sorry.” I turned away, still struggling to form coherent thoughts. “I can’t.”

She didn’t say anything; a terrible silence fell. When I finally turned to face her, I wasn’t ready for what I saw. She was locked in the same position, save for a small river of tears that had traced a trail down her face. I took a deep breath before continuing.

“Trixie, I care a lot about you, but as a friend. You only came back a few days ago…I don’t know you that well yet. I…I’m not ready to date anypony right now.”

“I…Trixie supposes she shouldn’t be surprised by this.” Her voice wavered. “Trixie apologizes, she’s such an idiot that she…that she…”

“Trixie, you aren’t an idiot. This is just happening way too quickly for me…I’m sorry, but I really don’t know what I’m supposed to say.” Never had I felt as clueless as I did right then. I needed information, data, advice…anything.

“You don’t have to say anything; the Great and Powerful Trixie’s just fine. She didn’t…expect you to feel anything about her anyway. Forget I…she ever did that.” She began to break down in earnest as she turned and ran. “Trixie will be in her trailer, do not disturb her!”

“Trixie! I…" The door slammed, cutting me off. The library was silent. When I turned around, I caught sight of Applejack and Spike exchanging nervous glances. “AJ, do you think I…handled that badly?”

“Shucks, Sugar-cube, ah don’t know what to tell ya. Ah ain’t no expert on any kinda romance.” She smiled at me. “But ah think ya handled that as best ya could. Can’t lead the filly on if ya ain’t feelin’ it.”

“That’s the problem! I don’t know what I’m feeling, or if I should even be feeling it. Nopony has ever looked at me like that…I don’t know what the right answer is.”

“Sometimes there ain’t really a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer. Ya just got ta do yer best.”

“I hate questions without tangible answers. I wish I could just look up a solution.”

“I could look for romance advice books!” Spike chimed in.

“I don’t really know if that'll help, but thank you, Spike.” I returned my attention to Applejack. “What do you think I should do?”

“Ah just told ya; ah ain't one fer no love advice. Ah prolly woulda done just what you did and about as gracefully.” She shrugged. “Maybe ask somepony like Rarity?”

“Not a bad idea…but I think I could ask someone with more relevant experience. I’m going to head out for a while. Could you keep an eye on Trixie?”

“Can do, Sugar-cube. Ah’ll check in with her.”

I ran out into the fading light, hoping to track a certain somepony down.

~~~~Trixie~~~~

Well, that went well. Sobbing, I buried my face in my pillow. I couldn’t silence my own mind. I kept replaying the scene where she'd pulled away over and over. The look on her face…I had upset her, disgusted her. She could never love somepony like you.

“Shut up!” I yelled into the silence. I must have been going crazy; I was shouting at the voices in my own head.

Did you see her face? Priceless. Good job ruining everything. Hehehehahaha.

“I know. I’m absolutely terrible. She’ll never want to speak to me again after that…”

You’re right, but it’s okay. She’s much better off without somepony like you anyway. They're all much better off without the Great and Terrible Trixie.

“Why did I even bother coming here? Every time I try to do something right, it backfires; my magic isn’t really improving, and I’m ruining lives. This was the biggest mistake of my life…” I was being ridiculous, talking to myself like this.

Yes. Yes it was. I’m glad you finally understand that. Yet all is not lost…there is still a way to fix everything. You can make it all better.

“How is that even possible?” I started to think that I might be losing my mind. Here I was crying in the darkness, talking to myself. Yet, for some reason, it didn’t feel like those were my thoughts. I couldn’t place where they were coming from.

Disappear. Leave all your problems behind. The way is so simple too; all you need to do is to let me…

A knock at the door dispersed my thoughts. I didn’t want to see anypony, so I ignored it. The door was locked, so it didn’t matter…or I'd thought it didn’t. After a few more knocks and some shouts from Applejack, I heard something else: the sound of my door unlocking. I looked over in time to see a faint magenta glow open the door—but that was my magic color. I didn’t use any magic…did I? Don’t be rude. You have a guest.

“How ya holdin’ up, filly?” she asked as she entered.

I didn’t respond.

“That bad, huh?”

I hid my head beneath my pillow, not wanting her to look at me. I couldn’t bring myself to speak, yet I heard words escape me anyway. “Just go away. Leave me alone.”

“Ah ain’t goin’ nowhere, Trix.” I could hear her moving closer. “You sound terrible, sugar-cube. Ah’m here for you.”

“It doesn’t matter. Everything is ruined.” My words were barely audible through my pillow.

“That ain’t true.” She sat down on my futon. She felt warm. “You prolly jumped the gun a bit there, but that don't mean it’s ruined. Twi isn't the kind of filly you can rush like that; she ain’t too experienced with friends, let alone anythin’ romantic. She just needs some time to git her head straight.”

AJ’s voice was calm and caring; it made me feel a little better. My tears had stopped and I was starting to catch my breath. I was lucky to have someone like her…a friend like her. “What do you know anyway? Stop pretending to care and get out of here.” I hadn’t meant to say that. It had just slipped out; I didn’t mean any of it!

“Hey now, that was a little uncalled fer. I know you’re upset but ah’m just trying to help.”

I tried to apologize, but the words wouldn’t come out. My mouth was moving, but the words that issued forth weren't mine. I couldn’t stop it! “Then help by leaving me the hell alone. Get your nosy, red-neck ass out of my trailer. Now.”

“Trix, ya ain’t soundin’ like yerself.” She put a hoof on my shoulder. “Ah don’t plan on leaving ya alone, so ya can stop tryin’ ta push me away.”

I wasn't sure what happened next. I moved without planning to, jumping out of bed. The suddenness of the motion knocked Applejack over backward. I felt my horn charge with energy.

“I said ‘get out’!”

AJ lifted off the ground—I was levitating her! I had no time to process what was happening before she was unceremoniously tossed out of the trailer. I could hear the dull thud of her hitting the ground. My trailer door slammed shut and locked itself. Why was this all happening?!

Now if we are done being interrupted…

That voice sounded just like I did when I was yelling at AJ. I spun around and caught sight of myself in a mirror. Something was wrong with my reflection…my eyes were jet black.

~~~~Twilight~~~~

The sun had set by the time I succeeded in locating my friend. Most of the shops were closing down for the night, and the whole town always grew quiet after nightfall. It was something I had only grown accustomed to recently; Canterlot was as busy after dark as it was during the day. I was lucky to spot my would-be advisor as she flew home. I took a deep breath and called out to her…I knew this was going to be one awkward conversation.

“Rainbow Dash!”

She veered toward me and dived down, pulling up just in time to land gracefully. She always had to show off…like another pony I could think of. “Twilight? What’s up? Weren’t you and AJ busy hanging out with your new best friend?”

I chose to ignore her snarkier comments. “Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something…involving Trixie. You were the only pony I could think of for this…particular kind of advice.”

She rolled her eyes. “I thought I’d made it clear that my advice was to avoid her. That girl is trouble.”

I didn’t say anything; I just gave her a disapproving look. She looked like she wanted to say something more, but instead she gave an over-dramatic sigh. “Fine, although I don’t know what advice could I possibly have about her.”

“Well, um, you see…” My skills in articulation chose that moment to abandon me.

“Just spit it out already.”

“I was looking for…romance advice.” I felt my face flush as I finally managed to say it.

“Wait just a minute…why the hay would you come to me for that kind of advice?!” She looked utterly bewildered. “Shouldn’t you ask somepony more…more girly than me? Try Rarity. Heck even Pinkie Pie would be a better bet.”

“Well, yeah, maybe, but I thought you might have some more relevant advice. See, Trixie… well, she kissed me, and I have no idea what I should do or what I even should be feeling.”

“That’s great and all, but I still don’t get why you chose me.”

“We’re both mares.” I felt embarrassed having to explain it. While this sort of thing wasn’t really frowned upon, it still felt awkward for me to think about.

“So what’s your point?” She stared hard at me before a small look of recognition crossed her face. “Hey, wait a minute…are you getting at what I think you’re getting at?”

“I just wanted a first-pony account of things. I don’t really know how to tell if I, um, flow that way. I always assumed I would get a coltfriend, but now…I don’t know. How were you able to figure out that you...um...”

“That I like mares?” she finished for me. “For Celestia’s sake, why does everypony come to me looking for advice on that? Why does everypony assume I’m a fillyfooler?”

Here I'd thought my night couldn't get any more awkward. “I…I don’t know! I…um…”

“Well, I ain’t!”

“Sorry, I have no idea where the assumption came from. I just needed somepony to talk to about this. I didn’t mean to offend you,” I stammered, not sure I could make any of this sound better.

Rainbow gave another sigh and closed her eyes. “It’s fine, it happens—too dang much, but it happens. I don’t know what to tell ya, Twi. I’ve never been there with a stallion or a mare, so I’m not gonna be able to help much.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll figure something out. Thanks anyway.” I turned to leave.

“Look, just because I don’t like her doesn’t mean she’s all that bad…kay?” She shifted on her hooves. “If she’s that important of a friend to you, I’ll try to give her a shot. She really rubs me the wrong way, is all.”

After giving her a smile and a nod, I headed home. I kept my pace slow; I wasn’t sure what would be waiting for me when I arrived, and I still had nothing to go on. Life would be so much easier if everything were just written down somewhere. The only pony I could think of to ask was Rarity, and she had probably gone to bed by now. She was always one for her beauty sleep. I wasn’t even sure how I should be feeling. I liked Trixie just fine, but I hadn’t even considered anything like this until AJ had brought it up earlier. I’d read a few romance novels, but I had yet to even develop a crush on anypony. My friendship skills were improving, but I didn’t think I was ready to try for anything more…

As I was drawing close to the library (and a panic attack as well), my thoughts were scattered by a sudden grasp from behind me. After uttering a yelp of surprise, I realized that I wasn’t being assailed; I was being hugged. I had just been Pinkied.

“Good evening Twilight!” Pinkie Pie's sugary voice dispelled the silence. “I saw you walking and you looked kind of sad, so I thought to myself that I had to do something about it, so I snuck up on you and gave you a surprise hug! Hugs can help with any sadness, and surprise hugs are especially good…I thought about shouting ‘surprise!’ too, but maybe that would have been overdoing it. You feel better now, right?”

“A little, I suppose. Sorry, Pinkie, but I have a lot on my mind right now. I really have to sort something out.”

“What kind of sorting? I could always help you sort…are we reorganizing the library again?”

I couldn’t decide if her chipperness was making me feel better or just irritated. “Not that kind of sorting. It’s something I need to figure out, but I really don’t think you could help. I appreciate the concern, but…”

“How do you know I can’t help until you ask me? I bet I could help you figure it out…if you’re extra super lucky, I’ll even have a song ready to help you through.” She beamed at me, and I couldn’t help but smile a little too.

“Fine. To put it simply…well, somepony wants me to be their special somepony.” As I felt the heat return to my cheeks, I wondered if I would ever be able to talk about this without feeling so embarrassed. “The only thing is I don’t know how to feel about any of this. She’s really nice, but I don’t know her very well…and I don’t even know if I like…um, other mares.”

“Oh, is that all? Gosh, Twilight, you can sure be silly sometimes.”

“How is this silly? These are legitimate concerns!”

“I know that, but the answers aren’t all that hard to figure out.”

It frustrated me to no end when she was like this. How come she could be smart and so not all at the same time? “All right, I’ll ask; how do I figure it out?”

“I’m reeeeeeaaaally sorry Twilight.” She gave me a remorseful look. “But I don’t have a song ready for you yet…would you rather know tomorrow? I can have a song done by then!”

“That’s okay; I’ll just take the answer now.” My night had been long enough already.

“Well, how else do you get to know somepony better? You spend time with them! Spend more time together and keep an open mind, that’s all. Since you're friends anyway, just keep being friends and see what happens. Gee, Twilight, I thought you would be the one coming up with the smart advice. Since I was smart, maybe you should be bouncy; we can trade!”

“Um…what?” I shook my head. She was just being Pinkie Pie. “Well, most of that made sense, I guess.”

“You could bring her to a party! Oh oh! I could throw you a party that you could bring her to!” She was practically glowing. “You can become better friends at the party and while you do that, you can think about lovey-dovey stuff to see if you want to be all lovey-dovey or not.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Why did it pain me to admit that? “ I am a little worried about it being awkward between us but I suppose there isn’t any alternative.”

“And the party?”

“Sure, the party.” I laughed. “But how do I figure out the whole…both mares thing?”

“Same thing, silly. Keep an open mind and see how it goes. That’s what I did!”

“You mean you…um…like…er…”

“I like everypony; why would something as small as gender stop love?” Pinkie Pie was the drunken master of wisdom…I could never figure out how she comes up with all this. “So who’s the special-maybe pony? Is it somepony I know or a new friend or somepony new that's already a friend or…”

“Her name is Trixie…you might remember…”

“Oh! The one with the totally awesome magic show who came to town and brought a big ol’ bear with her! I remember that! Good times…”

“Yeah…so anyway, thanks. I do feel better. This is going to be tricky, but I think I’ll be able to handle it."

After watching Pinkie bound away, I trotted home. If only things were as easy as she made it sound.

~~~~Trixie~~~~

I think I screamed, or at least I tried to. What was wrong with my eyes? I brought a hoof up to them, but I realized something else was off; my reflection didn’t move as I did. Instead it seemed to be watching me from the mirror.

Come now, we have so much to discuss. You don’t want to screw up anything else, now do you?

My reflection was talking to me. I couldn’t speak; I couldn’t even breathe. I wanted to run away so badly, but I had nowhere to run away to. I had already chased away most of the ponies who were trying to be my friends. My black-eyed reflection shifted impatiently. Its mouth moved, but I only heard its voice in my head.

It isn’t polite to stare. Are you even listening to me?

The voice in my head chilled me. Just how long had I been hearing it? Months? Years? I levitated a nearby spellbook and hurled it at the mirror. Shards of silvery glass rained down to the floor.

That was just plain rude. I thought someone so Great and Powerful would have better manners than that. After all, I’m only trying to help.

I frantically looked around my trailer, but I didn’t spot the source of those words. That is…until I looked down. My shadow was not my shadow. It no longer reflected any of my feminine features, instead it had a gaunt, masculine build. I was a unicorn, but its shape was distorted…and I didn't think that was because it was a shadow. What disturbed me the most were its eyes; despite being a shadow, two darker pools of blackness were present on the thing’s face.

“Who…who are you!?”

Finally, a coherent response. My name is not important; what's important is what I can do for you.

“You expect me to believe that? I don’t even know what you are, let alone anything that would make me trust you. Go away and leave me alone.” I threw another book, this time at my shadow. It bounced harmlessly across the ground.

I understand that you must be upset, but there is no cause for your poor behavior. Can we not be rational for a few minutes?

I took a deep breath and tried to slow my heart rate. I needed to focus; whatever was going on, I needed a clear head to deal with it. I closed my eyes and tried to recall the meditation lessons from my school days. Instead, upon shutting my eyes I was greeted with the memory of Twilight’s face as she pulled away from me. I found no calm, just more sadness.

Is crying the only thing you can do? Suck it up already. This is why I dislike dealing with mares…they are way too sappy.

“Tell me who you are!” The attitude of the intruder was quickly turning my sorrow to anger.

Better. I’m your friend, the only friend whom you cannot chase away so easily. I’ve stuck with you for so long; I cannot leave you now…

“My…friend?” I could barely process its claim. “My friend? You were the one saying those horrible things! How could you possibly be my friend?”

Simple. I was protecting you. Do you think those other ponies actually liked you? It was only a matter of time before you pushed them away; I simply hurried it along. That way, you wouldn’t be so hurt when they finally left. I was only thinking of you.

“You don’t know that they would have left! I was doing grea…fine…er…I was doing all right.”

Oh, you were handling it masterfully. Like how you handled Twilight Sparkle.

That stung. The voice was making a fair point…I could never keep ponies near me without something terrible happening. “But…I…I just…”

Now now, don’t worry your little head about it. Didn’t you hear me before? I said I was here to help you. After all, it isn’t too late…you can still get everything you want, and I’ll help you do it. That is what friends do, yes? Heh heh.

‘”Everything I want?”

Everything. Power, respect, confidence, and the strength to claim anything your heart could desire. Maybe even the attention you seek.

It sounded too good to be true. “How can I trust you? You won’t tell me anything about you! What do you get out of all of this?”

I get to help a friend. Isn’t that reason enough?

“Show yourself!”

…Very well.

My shadow lengthened, then seemed to pull itself from the floor. Although I'd thought of it as ‘my shadow,’ it was clearly anything but. I found myself staring at a gaunt shadowy unicorn. His form—for he was clearly a stallion—still looked insubstantial and there was something wrong with his horn. It looked sharper, more angular…like a razor blade. His ‘coat,’ for lack of a better term, was black…yet his eyes were only pools of darker blackness. A long unkempt mane further blurred and obscured his form. His cutie mark was a spot of dark azure amongst the darkness; its shape resembled two question marks, one inverted and one normal, pressed so close together it appeared to be one symbol.

“What…are you?”

A friend.

“…What do I have to do?”

Easy. All you have to do…is let me in.

Chapter 7: Great and Terrible

~~~~Twilight~~~~

A bad feeling crept over me as I neared the library. I couldn’t put my hoof on it, but something just felt…wrong. The shadows seemed to deepen the closer I got and the air smelled strange, almost acidic. The night suddenly seemed colder, more oppressive. I didn’t like it.

When I finally arrived, I found Applejack trying to buck in the door to Trixie’s carriage. She looked worse than when I had left her; her bandages were tattered and her kicks had only a fraction of their usual strength. Even if she were healthy, I doubted that she could have broken in; the shield from the other night surrounded the carriage. I swallowed any remaining hesitation and ran to AJ’s side.

“What happened? Are you all right? Is she? What…what is happening?” Panic edged its way into my voice.

“Ah don’t rightfully know, Sugar-cube.” She didn’t cease kicking no matter how fruitless it was. “Ah tried talkin’ ta her, but she started talkin’ funny, then she tossed me out here like an old sack fulla apples. Ah landed bad, but it ain’t nothing ah can’t manage. Ah been tryin’ ta git back in ever since.”

“Talking funny?” I tried to dispel the barrier with little effect. “How so?”

“It’s…hard ta say. She got awful cross and her voice was all whispery. Also…” She hesitated.

“Also?” I began charging my horn. I was going to enter. No matter what.

“Well, ah ain’t really sure what ah heard after ah got chucked out, but ah did hear her yellin’. Ah don’t know who or what she was yellin’ at, but ah coulda sworn ah heard someone answerin’…just real quietly.”

“You mean there’s somepony in there with her?”

“Yeah, ah think so. Ah’m not too sure though; ah didn’t see anypony in there before she pitched me out.”

I redoubled my efforts to charge my spell. I didn’t know what to think about this mystery pony; if they existed. It was a puzzle that I didn’t yet have all the pieces to, but if there was somepony attacking my friend in there, I was going to stop it. I cast my spell on the barrier, focusing it on creating only a pony sized hole—just enough to gain access to the trailer.

Despite my best efforts, my spell failed; it bounced harmlessly off the shell surrounding the carriage. I was about to try again when something strange happened. A small door opened on the shield near me, as if to beckon me inside. After casting a nervous look at Applejack, I entered. The door closed behind me.

The inside of the trailer looked as it always had, save for a few items that seemed to have been recently strewn about. There was very little illuminating the small room, only a single candle burning on a table near me. Standing in the center of the room was Trixie. I could tell from the first glance that something was wrong. She was wearing her hat and cape, but what caught my immediate attention were her eyes; they had become dark pits of shadow. She stood stiff and rigid, and when she moved, her gait was jerky and un-coordinated. Her face was tear-stained, but she wore a smug smile that gave me the shivers.

“Twilight, you came back to us…” Her voice wasn’t right. It had a hollow sounding echo. What could have happened to her? I hadn't been gone for very long!

She slowly began staggering forward.

“Trixie, what happened to you? How did this…what is…” I couldn’t form a coherent sentence.

“Nothing happened. Trixie’s real friend came to help us.” She stopped and tilted her head as more tears fell to the floor. She sounded empty. “Thank you for the lessons but Trixie doesn’t need them anymore. We have all the power we need now.”

Her horn began to glow, its former color replaced by a sickly grey-green hue. Her smile spread as her power grew, a mirthless forced smile. The entire carriage began to rattle and the air started swirling, causing many papers and props to begin rotating about the small room.

“Trixie, calm down! I need to talk to you!” My voice was muffled by the cacophony caused by the strange winds. “We’re friends, remember? We can work through this!”

“Is that what you really think, Miss Sparkle?” Her anger was palpable in the air. “No, soon everypony will see just how Great we are, just how Powerful! Then everypony will love us! We shall show you; we’ll show you all!”

With a bright flash and a loud crack, I found myself back outside. Trixie, the shield, and the carriage had all vanished.

~~~~Trixie~~~~~

All you have to do…is let me in.

The shadow made me uncomfortable. I wanted what he promised so badly, but this…thing in front of me couldn’t be trusted. I wished Twilight were here; she would know what to do…if she didn’t hate me by now.

I could help you get her back. I could help you be stronger…so she’ll respect you.

My head hurt. His voice permeated every thought. “How can I trust you?”

I know what it is like…always being turned aside. I know what it is like to be nothing…to have no one. We are alike, you and I.

Could he really help get Twilight to like me? Maybe even love me? I doubted it…but I was afraid it would be my only chance. I had to at least listen to…this creature. “...please tell me who you are. What are you?”

If you really must know, I suppose. I am called Doubt, and I am but a whisper.

“Your name is Doubt?”

It doesn’t lend me any credibility does it? Try to look past it.

“So…Doubt, what's in this for you?” I swallowed my sadness. If this creature—if Doubt was offering to help me, I needed a clear head. If he could show Twilight that I was worthwhile…but first I had to figure this pony out. I needed to think straight. “What do you get out of helping me?”

I get to be.

“To be?”

I am but a shadow, only a whisper in the mind of others. If you let me in, I can live vicariously through you.

Desperation ate at the corner of my mind. If only half of what Doubt promised was true, it would be enough to get what I wanted. I could be loved. I could have the power to impress everypony, to make them adore me. The chance that this could get Twilight and her friends to love me was all I needed.

“…okay.”

A smile cut across Doubt’s dark face, a snide parody of a real smile. It made me uncomfortable, but I didn’t have time to voice any objections. He was on me in a second, washing over me like a wave of icy water. I couldn’t think or see; I couldn’t breathe. It felt like dying.

A few choking moments later, my vision returned to me. Doubt wasn’t anywhere in sight, but I could still feel him near. I also felt…different; I felt stronger, like my magic could do anything. I felt powerful…yet I also felt so very empty. It was a terrible, hollow feeling in my chest; it felt like no matter what I did, I would never succeed. I felt tears begin to fall from my eyes, yet I was powerless to stop them. I doubted my ability to…

The sounds of magic outside scattered my thoughts. Someone was trying to break through my barrier…there was a barrier? My head hurt. I wasn’t sure if I had put up a ward or not…was I even able to? I doubted it. My thoughts spun and I felt nauseous. Voices from outside broke through my mental fog…not just any voice. Her voice. My Twilight was here…

I opened the barrier so she could come to us…to me? No, ‘us’ sounded better. We didn’t feel so alone anymore…empty, but not alone. Twilight Sparkle approached us; we were so happy to see her…but why wouldn’t the tears stop?

“Twilight, you came back to us…” Our voice sounded wrong…but it didn’t matter. Twilight was here; that was all that was important to us. Our Twilight…mine…

“Trixie, what happened to you? What have you done?” she accused us. Her voice wasn’t the friendly Twilight we remembered. Her mouth was moving, but the sounds didn’t match up…was something wrong with our hearing? Were we hearing the truth behind her words?

“Nothing happened. Trixie’s real friend came to help us.” We had to be strong in front of her. We had to show her we were good enough for her…better than her! I had to be…we had to be… “Thank you for the lessons but Trixie doesn’t need them anymore. We have all the power we need now.”

We began charging a spell to show her just how strong we were now. We’d show her that we could do teleportation; we would do it even better than she could. We would show Twilight…then everypony!

“Trixie, calm down! I need to talk to you!” Her voice still not matching. “I don’t care for you! I don’t need somepony weaker than me!”

“Is that what you really think, Miss Sparkle?” We felt our heart breaking. We were failing…failing again. We turned our sorrow to anger; we would prove her wrong. “No, soon everypony will see just how Great we are; just how Powerful! Then everypony will love us! Trixie shall show you, we’ll show you all!”

Everything went dark as we released the spell. When our vision returned to us, we were no longer in Ponyville. A dark, dense forest filled our vision. We found ourselves in Everfree…excellent. Now we had time to plan…

~~~~Twilight~~~~

I wasn't sure how long I stood in vacant space where Trixie’s carriage had been. Never had I felt more helpless. I stared off into space, replaying the events of her disappearance in my mind; what had happened? Was there something else I could have said or done? I probably would have just remained locked in place had Applejack not come over and put her hoof on my shoulder.

“Come on, Sugar-cube, let’s go inside. Ah think ah need to lay down.” She smiled weakly. She still hadn’t fully recovered from her earlier ordeal, it seemed.

I sighed and nodded, then helped her into the library. It was getting late, so I helped her into my bed. I was too distracted to sleep anyway. What I had just seen had disturbed me; something was seriously wrong with Trixie, and I couldn’t figure out what it was. I spent the night reading every book of possibly relevance, only to come up with nothing. Hours passed with little progress, but as the sun was finally starting to rise, I noticed one book that I'd set aside. It was the book Silver Lining had found earlier: ‘Ye Hystories of ye Ancient Harmonious Elements and of Their Kynde’.

The book was ancient, enough that it seemed like the pages might fall to dust if I handled them too roughly. It was massive and covered in a thick sheet of dust. With all my time spent in libraries, this book was something I had never heard of. Perhaps it was self-published? While I'd never heard of this volume, I was familiar with the author. Fact Checker was a pony researcher from the pre-classical era; he was responsible for many of the history and text books still used today. Mr. Checker and Star Swirl the Bearded co-wrote several books on the history of magic, and the two were believed to be close friends despite a bit of friendly rivalry. Rumor had it that Fact Checker grew increasingly arrogant in his later years, however, eventually causing a rift between them. He disappeared mysteriously sometime before the rise of Nightmare Moon, a mystery that was never solved. I wasn’t sure if it would have anything to do with the current situation, but I was running out of options.

My earlier guess about this book's relation to the Elements of Harmony was correct, but the level of detail was well beyond anything I knew of them. A lot of the concepts in the tome were, as admitted by the author, theoretical, but there was a great deal of practical knowledge too. What caught my attention was the section entitled ‘Whispers and ye Corruptions’.

Fact Checker believed that the Elements of Harmony had an antithesis, something to balance the inherent goodness of the Elements. He called them the Elements of Corruption. He claimed to have interviewed a pony who was ‘only a pony in the vaguest sense, being little more than a shadow’. The name he credited this ‘pony’ with was Hubris, who claimed to be called a ‘whisper.’ This interview was what grabbed my attention about the book.

I was able to secure one of the entities for a conversation. The creature was a black, almost insubstantial pegasus that seemed to be made of shadows. He possessed a cutie mark of two stars, one dwarfing the other. He, a creature calling himself ‘Hubris’ agreed to let me print his words, so long as that I agreed to reprint our entire conversation. He claimed it was for ‘posterity’.

“Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Mr. Hubris. I understand you and your fellows don’t normally like to speak about such things.”

“Don’t lump me in with them. I do what I want.”

“So you have said.” (At this point I offered him food and beverage, which he refused.) “So, if I may be blunt, what are you?”

“I’m just like you. Only better.”

“Surely you can be more descriptive”

“My brothers and sisters call us ‘whispers’. I dislike the name; it makes us sound quiet and weak. I am neither.”

“Can you tell me where you came from? Or how many of you there are?”

“Many. We are everywhere.” (He spent the next four minutes laughing.)

“All right, Mr. Hubris, all right. If we may focus…”

“I am focused. More than anyone.”

“Tell me what you know about the Elements…and their inverse, please.”

(He sighed overdramatically.) “You ponies understand so little. Elements of Harmony? Ha! You simpletons still believe that friendship can be broken down into only five or six parts! There are dozens of Corruptions!”

“We have found artifacts depicting the Elements, but nothing of the Corruptions. How can you prove they exist?”

(He spent more time laughing.) “Because I exist.”

“Are you implying that a ‘whisper’ is a ‘Corruption’?

“Not quite. While someone bearing an Element of Harmony can give it up, the Corruptions never give up their bearers. We all have become one with the Corruption inside. Hubris is not my birth name, but a name I took to match my current self.”

“You were once a pony then? How has this process changed you?”

“I was once weak like you, yes. I’m not all that different; we still do normal pony things…like feed…and make…friends.”

“I see…in what way do you…”

“Simple. I make a good friend, then I feed on their hubris. The more they feel, the more…real I am.”

“I don’t understand what you mean by that. Also, I cannot fathom why you would volunteer such…concerning information.”

“That is because you are simple. I told you, my name is HUBRIS! I want everypony to know, speak and fear my name! We embody our names completely. Anger is always mad; Jealousy always wants more; Deceit always lies, and I…I aim for the top.”

“That still doesn’t explain…”

“It will. You’ll know soon enough why I chose you. You and I will become…friends.” (He then vanished from sight, laughing once more.)

As chilling as all that was, the book became more disturbing as I read on. The text became increasingly more like diary entries made by Mr. Checker rather than facts. It was as if something had changed after his meeting with Hubris. He kept writing as if paranoid of something following him, but he also seemed to think this book would change history. He kept claiming that this book would prove he was a better scholar than even ‘old Swirly-beard .’ His manner had changed to be more arrogant or even…hubristic. I had a terrible feeling, enough that it made me wake Spike to send a letter; if there was a chance that the cases were connected, we would need the Princess’s aid. Not wanting to panic, I chose my words carefully:

“Dear Princess Celestia,

I am sorry to trouble you at this odd hour, but a series of unexplainable events has left me confused and deeply worried for a friend. I wish your advice on how best to resolve the situation, as well as confirmation of my sources.

A friend has begun acting increasingly strangely; I admit to not knowing her that well, but her increasing ‘symptoms’ can no longer be written off. While her condition is difficult to describe, I recently read an interview with a creature claiming to be a ‘whisper,’ and it seemed hauntingly relevant.

Your Highness, do such creatures exist? If so, how might we save one who is being preyed upon? I hope I am wrong about such theories, as they are quite unnerving and have distressing implications.

I look forward to your quick response.

Your faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle"

I had it sent straight away…but I was surprised when I got an immediate response.

~~~~Trixie~~~~

We could feel the magic welling up inside us. We had to change to accommodate it. Is this what I really want? I just don’t know. It is what you needed, what we needed. We released the magic, letting it wash over us, letting it strengthen us. I don’t know if I like this. You will get used to it. You shall grow to like it.

Soon the physical changes began, making us stronger. Oh, Celestia, what is happening? Make it stop! We grew tall and strong, to a height that would impress those peasants. We shall show them all. They will all love and fear us, just like you wanted. Height was not nearly enough to strike the impression we needed; wings would be required. With them, we would resemble one of the princesses…a royal look would fit us nicely. We concentrated, and wings formed of magic appeared at our sides, dark, glowing violet wings. These suit me nicely. Why do we need… You want people to like us, right?

We took a moment to regard ourself in a nearby pond. We now stood much taller than anypony, save for the royals. Our wings caught the eye and our horn stood longer…and sharper. Where did that dark helmet come from? Nothing to concern ourselves with. The armor gave us an imperious, dangerous look; we liked it. It was if we were Trixie no longer, but somepony much much more. We took a moment to give our new wings a try; it took only a moment to become airborne. You’ll like flying. I suppose…

We circled the area twice before landing near our carriage. Such a small and depressing home; we don’t need it anymore. I don’t think I can even fit anymore…but I… We charged our horn with power, then released the energy on the carriage. When the smoke cleared, nothing remained of it. Our power was amazing! We had enough now to return to Ponyville and make them all be our friends. Is that how friendship works? It’s the best somepony like you could do. Oh…

The sun was coming up. We had spent so long growing and playing with our new powers that the night had ended. No matter, they would all see us better in the light anyway. It was time for them to love and fear us. They would all love the Great and Powerful Trixie…no, that name wasn’t good enough anymore. I like my name… We have a better one we could use. We have become something more, after all. Our new name would soon echo throughout Equestria…they would all say it…they would all love it! We concentrated on a new teleportation spell, one that would help us make an entrance. We always knew how to arrive in style.

~~~~Twilight~~~~

The letter I received was a cause for great concern. It sounded like the Princess was on her way, and if this was something that she needed to get personally involved in…I was uneasy.

"My Dearest Twilight Sparkle,

Thank you for bringing this to my attention, although I am surprised you came across any information about such things. Such creatures, if they can be truly called ‘creatures,’ are best left unknown and the topic avoided. Knowledge of them is dangerous.

If there truly is such a thing in Ponyville now, haste is in order. If we can intervene before the creature has been allowed to fully exist, we should be able to act freely and your friend shall be fine. If the whisper has come fully into the world…more drastic methods may be necessary.

I shall bring the Elements…I pray we will not need them.

Your teacher and friend,

Princess Celestia."

I didn’t know what to make of any of it. I didn’t know what she meant by half of her implications. Did it have something to do with what had been wrong with Trixie’s eyes the last time I saw her? Should I have told the Princess about that? A thousand questions and no answers swirled through my head.

I sent Spike to gather the others; if the Elements were in fact needed, I would need my friends present. After he had gone, I was left to pace the library uneasily. Any spell of detection or location I cast to find Trixie failed. As far as my magic could tell she wasn’t anywhere.

Suddenly, I heard an explosion outside. I ran out of the library to be greeted with the strangest sight: fireworks were exploding in the sky. There was no apparent source for them…or for the dramatic music that accompanied them. The display was all too familiar; I had seen a very similar showing before, the first time Trixie had come to town.

The sky darkened, and the clouds began to swirl together as the music reached a crescendo. With a blinding flash and an explosion of glittering smoke, a pony appeared in the sky. She hovered in place, suspended on glowing, magical wings. She was clad in a dark purple helm that called back memories of Nightmare Moon. A great, billowing cloak extended behind her and flapped in a breeze I couldn't feel. Her coat was a very dark blue, and her mane was hidden by her helm. With all the changes, I barely recognized my friend.

“We are Treachery, the Great and Terrible! Witness our glory! Love us…and fear us!”