Trixie folded her arms underneath her chest, and then bent down. She winked at the crowd. The mare stood straight up. Her elegant heels clacked against the stage floor with each step she took. The crowd's gaze appeared fixated on Trixie's movements as she sauntered along the stage.

The mare ran a quick finger along the rim of her hat. She lowered the hat's rim then snapped her fingers. The hat levitated into the air, several inches above its owner's head. The mare stopped. Trixie raised her hands. As the hat descended, Trixie's elegant hands disappeared inside of it. The hat's flat surface touched the stage floor, having engulfed its owner.

The room went silent. Moments passed, the hat soon jumping around.

The embellished hat shot into the air.

Two large legs protruded from the hat's bottom. A giant, anthropomorphic dragoness stood on stage. The creature smiled. Its left clawed hand firmly met its right in a deafening clap. The creature knelt down and placed its two clawed hands onto the stage.

The creature roared. A cloud of blue smoke engulfed the area.

"Behold!"

The smoke cleared. Trixie smiled, standing where the dragoness once stood.

The Ethereal Hall's occupants stood up, one-by-one. And, one-by-one, viewers thrust their hands into the air. Powerful whistles and bellowing cheers combined into a thunderous applause. More and more creatures came to their feet, hooves, claws, and such, some pumping their fists into the air. Trixie took a deep bow.

Princess Luna strolled onto the stage, her black dress sparkling in the stage-lights. Trixie bowed to the mare.

"T-Thank you, thank you one and all! And now," Trixie motioned to the crowd, "it is time for the grand finale! This grand, final act is worthy of every creature here, and our special guest: the illustrious guardian of the night, Princess Luna! Every creature, I give you... 'the box.'"

Trixie snapped her finger, and then strolled to the center stage. The mare's delicate finger ran along the brim of her strange hat. Her hat removed, she tossed it into the crowd, and then flung open her arms, the hat turning into a flock of white doves.

"I, The Great and Powerful," Trixie shoved her right hand into her cleavage, "T-Tri-Trix... heh heh, a little stuck...."

Princess Luna smiled. She sauntered along the stage, her black dress clinging tight against her body. The mare stood close to Trixie and patted her on the back.

An audible "eep" resonated throughout the grand Ethereal Hall.

"T-Thank you for the Great and Powerful assistance, Princess Luna. And now, for the Great and Powerful Trixie's finale!"

Trixie snapped her fingers. Beautifully ornate, gleaming swords materialized inches away from the box.

Guided by Trixie's hand, Princess Luna stepped into the box, the box's color akin to Trixie's skin tone.

With the box's star covered lid closed, Trixie tapped the lid three times. Three taps came back.

The materialized swords raced forward.

Trixie let out an audible gasp. She raced towards the box. The mare tapped three times.

"No. No! Is the Great and Powerful Trixie guilty of Regicide?! Neigh --" Trixie snapped her fingers, "-- neigh, I say! Princess Luna is unharmed!"

Cheers and whistles, along with some catcalls, erupted from the audience.

Trixie looked inside the box. She looked again, and then a third time. Her hand met her face. The mare groaned.

She reached inside the box. The mare stepped back. She snapped her fingers, the swords vanishing. Trixie closed the lid and returned the box to her cleavage.

"No wonder the Great and Powerful Trixie," the mare tugged on her outfit's collar, "felt a Great and Powerful draft..., heh heh. Ahem! Th-Thank you one and all, thank you for attending The Great and Powerful Trixie's final performance!"

The applause faded as the stage lights dimmed. The Grand Ethereal Hall went silent.

Trixie snapped her right fingers. The mare's right index finger lit up, she touched the tip of her glowing index finger to her throat. An audible sigh reverberated throughout the Ethereal Hall as Trixie stepped forward to the stage's edge. She bowed once more. Trixie placed a hand over her chest, what appeared to be over her heart, "Again, I truly thank each of you, all of you for attending my grand final performance. In these last few moments, I want to invite Princess Luna on stage."

It's not hard to feel this room's emotion.

Applejack thanked Rarity for the handkerchief.

"I..., I want take this time, to remember and honor those who are no longer with us. Their Great and Powerful deed allows us to be here tonight and carry on a Great and Powerful legacy. On this anniversary, we take a moment of silence to give our thanks to what the dearly departed gave us: our lives. Thank you one and all..., thank you for protecting us."

Applejack lowered the brim of her hat. She sighed, removed her hat, and then wiped away a tear. The mares around me bowed their heads as they all remained silent. Changelings, ponies, minotaurs, griffons, and other creatures lowered their heads. Several creatures around our table hugged each other and bowed their heads in turn.

It's hard to gauge what to say. From experience, being in solemn moments like this before, it is wise for a person to remain silent out of both respect and understanding.

"Princess Luna, would you like to say a few words?" Trixie said.

"Thank you, Trixie Lulamoon. You presented a beautiful, elegant performance." Princess Luna placed a hand on Trixie's shoulder. "And, I would like to thank you for the moment of silence to honor those who are no longer with us. It was touching."

Applejack wiped away another tear. She smiled at Princess Twilight Sparkle. The two mares, both at eye level, hugged each other once more.

"Let us always remember the dearly departed in our hearts. Let's not honor them with our tears and sadness, but with joy and love. Here's to them and the great evil they helped vanquish." Princess Luna illuminated her horn, glasses rising into the air from all the tables. "I toast to a bright and prosperous future, for the world we all call home!"

"To our heroes and the world we call home!" The occupants of the room bellowed.

Princess Luna snapped her fingers.

The stage lights brightened. The curtain rolled back. Princess Luna's horn began to glow.

Trixie spun around. Her outfit transformed into a scintillating black dress akin to her stage partner's dress.

"Wowy zowy, a duet with Princess Luna. Trixie is so lucky!" Pinkie Pie said. The mare smiled, her ears perked up. "I'm glad I got the night off."

Trixie snapped her fingers. She touched her glowing index finger to Princess Luna's neck. Both mares nodded to each other. Trixie flung her right arm towards the crowd, Princess Luna her left.

"Let us end. On a high note...." Trixie and Princess Luna raised their voices.

The band's conductor tapped his wand against the podium.

The music is kind of catchy, even though I'm not into noir type jazz.

"Uhh Pink, don't you own this here casino? Not ta mention, don't you own the hotel Fluttershy and the others are staying at? Heck, if I recall right, you own a good chunk of property in Manehatten, Ponyville, and four other territories." Applejack said. The mare sipped her drink. Pinkie Pie gave a firm nod to her friend. "Ya'll can take time off whenever ya want, right?"

Rarity smirked at Applejack. The pregnant mare scooted back in her seat. Her beautiful wings flittered for a second.

"Applejack, darling, it isn't that simple. The Pie family owns one of the richest deposits of jewels, minerals, and gems in Equestria." Rarity said. Her wings twitched. The mare licked her lips. "Oh, hmph. This hunger will the death of my business. The very idea of those gems and jewels is making my mouth water. Now I know how poor Spike felt whenever he helped me with those garments."

Rainbow Dash chuckled.

"He heh! Yea, I remember when those hunger attacks first hit ya, 'Princess' Rarity. You nabbed that jewel right off your necklace one day, took a huge bite out of it, and acted like nothing happened." Rainbow Dash said. A spark of electricity raced between her finger tips. "You know I'm still trying to get the hang of things? It's unbelievable."

Several quick sparks of electricity race between Rainbow Dash's right thumb and index finger. The mare clenched her hand into a fist. A circle of electricity hovered around her right hand. The mare took a deep breath, exhaled her deep breath, and repeated her breathing exercise four more times.

The electricity stopped.

"How do you think me and Pink feel about it, Rainbow? Me bein' a literal 'Mare of Equestria' took some adjustin' to, still adjusting for that matter." Applejack said. She glanced toward me. The mare raised an eyebrow. "Ya alright there, Chris?"

I shrugged. Applejack tilted her head then shrugged herself. "I'm, well, still... in awe, to be honest. The shock of being in another world hasn't faded. Though, there's also the truth that I couldn't be happier right now, glad as hell to be in this world."

Gusty Breeze pated me on the back then pulled me closer to her side.

"Oh, I can imagine that, Chris. I'd wager my entire apple stock at the barn right now that mare at your side feels the same way." Applejack winked. She gazed towards the ceiling of the Ethereal Hall. "Girls, ta tell ya'll the truth, I had no idea what would happen after we beat Queen Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow that day. It felt as if the world had settled down, like our adventures were over. There are times I miss those days, things bein' simple and all."

"It's alright, Applejack. We're here for you." Fluttershy said. She smiled. "Does it still bother you."

Applejack sighed. She gave a firm nod to her friend.

"Bloom took it the hardest, what happened to Granny Smith, but I'm certain that ol' gal is smilin' down on all us and what we've accomplished. Same goes for your folks too, Pinkie." Applejack said. She looked across the table. "Ya alright, Pink?"

Pinkie Pie shook her head a little, but then nodded and smiled. The mare who sat between Fluttershy and Rarity thanked her friends. She said "you can't go through life crying, you've got to be strong" before wiping her eyes.

It is pure noir to see Trixie and Princess Luna up on stage with the jazz band behind them. The crowd's cheerful whistles and boisterous cheers, their thunderous applause is a great sight to behold.

"What about you, Twilight? How are things with Princess Cadence and... umm, you know...." Pinkie Pie said, twiddling her thumbs. "Yea, 'Prince' Shining Armor."

Twilight, off to my right, placed her hands in her lap.

"At the end of the day, I 'thank' Celestia my brother is still alive and with us." Princess Twilight Sparkle said. She pointed at the stage, "Look, they're about to finish their duet. Go, Trixie! Go, Princess Luna!"

Time vanished, akin to the food and drinks on our table.

It's confusing and frightening when I'm reminded about being a stranger in these strange lands, and yet..., it comforts me to know I'm not alone. That tight sensation, that knot isn't in my chest, weighing me down. If this is what it feels like to be free, it's wonderful.

*** *** ***

"Consider this one on me, all." Pinkie Pie said.

All of us stood outside the grand casino's entrance, its sign illuminating the sidewalk.

"Are you sure, Pinkie Pie? A creature should always pay their fair share." Doctor Transfusion said.

"I'll be 'fine.' We're making all sorts of creatures in Equestria happy. There's nothing that says you can't make a profit and be happy, am I right?" Pinkie Pie said. She clenched her hands into a fist. "Shoot, I need to set up a talk with Flim and Flam, again. They keep dropping the ball in Las Pegasus for those presents to the guests, and speaking of presents," Pinkie Pie looked at me and winked, "I heard you got one 'kind' present of your own, Chris."

I tugged on the collar of my suit.

"Eh heh heh..., so you heard about that little event."

Pinkie Pie said "uh huh" before she leaned down. The mare extended her right index finger and scratched my chin. She stood up and smiled.

Princess Twilight Sparkle and Applejack chuckled, Rarity blushing.

"Do you need help, Rarity?"

"Thank you for the offer, Twilight. I wouldn't mind the company on my way home. As I told Fluttershy, Spike has been so aloof lately."

"Oh, Spike!" Princess Twilight Sparkle curled her lip, and then groaned. "I promise you Rarity, I'm going to have a long, LONG talk with that dragon when I catch hold of him. This nervousness needs to stop."

The mares chuckled among themselves.

"Welp, I'm out. Those rookies aren't going to train themselves. They'll break twelve seconds flat tomorrow or I'll break them, so says Rainbow 'the lightning bolt' Dash. Anyways," Rainbow Dash floated into the air, "catch ya all later!"

Doctor Transfusion helped me close my jaw, again.

Equestria is one strange, strange place. Rainbow Dash floated into the air, turned into a colorful bolt of lightning, and just, just "zoom," off she flew.

"Alright Chris, we're going for a ride, so hang on tight." Gusty Breeze said. She grabbed me, similar to how Fluttershy flew me to the casino. The two of us took to the air, Fluttershy off to our right. "I love these brisk nights. You and I will have to go 'cloud surfing' one night, if you catch my drift."

"Your motor run twenty-four, seven?"

"You know it." Gusty Breeze gave me a quick peck on the cheek. "Welcome to Equestria, Chris."

"Thanks."

We reached the hotel balcony in no time flat.

Fluttershy hugged Gusty Breeze, Doctor Transfusion, and then me. The mare raised her arms. Her dress transformed into a nightgown. She lowered her arms then disappeared into her room.

"You'll have to excuse Fluttershy. She has a lot to do in the morning." Gusty Breeze said. She rested her warm hand on my left shoulder. "I don't know how that mare does it. She gets up early, early, EARLY in the morning to take care of that insane animal sanctuary. Her work is time-consuming, even for a goddess."

"What? I thought Fluttershy was the 'Element of Kindness.'"

So Fluttershy, she's like a literal goddess? How's that possible?

"I believe what Gusty Breeze meant to say is more than meets the eye with Fluttershy. One day, we will fill you in on what happened, Mr. Chris. For right now however, how about we relax." Doctor Transfusion said. Gusty Breeze and the doc disappeared into their rooms. I sat down on the couch in the large sitting area and removed my shoes. "Would you care for a virgin cider with a cinnamon straw, Chris?"

The room remained quiet. Doctor Transfusion emerged from her room in a white silk nightgown, her hair draped over her shoulders. She strolled along the carpet towards the bar. Her elegant hands reached underneath the counter. The mare placed two short, highball glasses on-top of the bar.

Right now, everything is so surreal.

"Here, a virgin cider with a slight 'twist' of my own." Doctor Transfusion said. The well-endowed mare sat down next to me on the couch. She sipped on her drink then placed it on a coaster on the table. "I'm rather curious love, did you enjoy your evening?"

I leaned back and undid my tie. The black tie placed on the nearby table, I grabbed my drink and walked to the balcony.

Doctor Transfusion makes a good drink. This drink she made isn't just apple cider poured from a bottle. It's a combo of flavors. They all play well with one another. If she weren't a doctor, the woman would be one hell of a mixologist.

"Is there something troubling you?" Doctor Transfusion said. The mare adjusted her glasses. Her white silk robe gleamed in the moonlight. Drink firm in her hand, the mare took a sip then placed her drink on the nearby outside table. Doctor Transfusion sat on a small outside chair near me. "Chris," Doctor Transfusion pointed at the ears on her head, "these aren't for decoration. They're not there to make my head look symmetrical, either. If there's something is bothering you, I am all ears, love."

The moon's reflection appeared in my drink. I took a small sip then placed my drink on the table near Doctor Transfusion.

"It's hard to say." I leaned against the balcony's railing. "I'm always anxious, so the thought of the future is consuming me. But -- for what seems like the first time in my life -- I can feel my heart being content. My heart, it's looking forward to the future with sheer, unbridled happiness. It, it feels like I'm free."

The calm night air remained semi-tepid. Lights below the hotel illuminated the road and sidewalk. Small dots raced along the streets with slower small dots sauntering along the sidewalk.

"..."

"Hmm?"

It looks like I'm not the only one exhausted. The doc is fast asleep already. It'd be wise to get Gusty Breeze. She can help the doc to bed.

"... S ..."

Doctor Transfusion winced. Her eyes twitched underneath her eyelids.

"Mom? Dad?" Doctor Transfusion muttered. Several tears ran down the mare's cheek and onto the table. "S-S. C-C. Why did mommy and daddy go away?"

"Chris." A quiet voice said. Shit, way to scare the hell out of a person, Gusty Breeze. The mare stepped forward. She gently shook her head. "She's," Gusty Breeze sighed, "I guess Fu-Fu's having that dream, again. I feel so bad for her."

Gusty Breeze picked up Doctor Transfusion, in a gentle manner. She carried the mare passed the sitting area and into the doc's bedroom.

The top cover rolled down, Gusty Breeze placed the doc on the soft bed. The top cover was placed on top of the doc.

Gusty Breeze and I left the doc's room, Gusty Breeze softly closing the door.

"Don't worry too much, Chris. Transfusion, she's a tough mare." Gusty Breeze said. I followed her into the sitting area. "I know Fu-Fu will be alright in the morning. I promise, my precious stallion."

The two of us looked at each other. We smiled.

"Good night Gusty Breeze, my beautiful mare. I'll see you in the morning" I said. Gusty Breeze's eyes lit up. She bent down. The mare placed her right hand behind my head. She pulled me in close. I placed my hand on her back. Both of us smiled at each other, backing away after our deep kiss. "Thank you for a wonderful day, Gusty Breeze."

Gusty Breeze nodded to me. She turned then closed the door to her room.

It's foolish to think all days will be like today. Still, my heart feels so alive right now. The kiss, the intimacy, the bonds, this is what freedom, this is what happiness feels like to me. And right now, I promise to fight for this happiness, no matter what.

Author's Note

I'll confess, I suck at writing songs. About 1/2 through the chapter, I started thinking about a song Trixie and Princess Luna would sing for their duet. It sent me way, WAY off track. Curse you weirdness!

Also, being honest, I took some days to decompress from the show's finale. It's hard to believe the show is over. I remember when the show first started up. I joined things about 1/2 way through the first season. Nine-seasons later, the show's done. I'll miss the show, but nothing good lasts forever.

Anyways, I hope all of you enjoy the latest chapter. I'm trying to tweak the writing style a tad so as to get out of the MC's head and be more in a first-person/third person isolated view type of thing, if that makes sense.